The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, made the promise on Sunday, in his speech on the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, in the state.
He said the measure was necessary to mop all out-of-school children that are roaming the streets of the state.
“We are building new schools across the 44 Local Government councils in our quest to mop all out-of-school children roaming our streets.
He said as part of the effort to support girls-child education and encourage parents to send their daughters to school, the state government will be paying a stipend of N20,000 to over 45,000 girl–child as a pilot scheme to support them to continue schooling.
“We are also re-introducing the girl–child school buses to transport them to and from schools.
In addition, he said, the government would provide free uniforms, school bags and shoes at the pilot stage in addition to providing free exercise books and textbooks to Primary and Junior Secondary School pupils.
According to him, arrangements have reached an advanced stage in providing one free meal to all primary school pupils in the State.
“To support our high-level manpower development agenda, we are sending 1001 First Class graduates this academic session to study for Masters degrees at universities abroad,” he said.
He restated the commitment and determination of his administration to tackle the challenges of unemployment and youth restiveness bedeviling the state and the country.
“We are determined to look to the future with hope, belief, and careful plans devoid of the encumbrances of the burden of the past. We are working deliberately to break away from the circle of despair, poverty, insecurity, and youth restiveness, all of which are products of bad leadership,” he said.
On the independence anniversary, Yusuf paid tribute to the great nationalists and patriotic freedom fighters who sacrificed everything to ensure the freedom of our people and our Nation.
“On an occasion like this, we must salute the resilience, intelligence, and doggedness of the likes of Malam Aminu Kano, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Sa’adu Zungur, Yusuf Maitama Sule, Chief Anthony Enahoro and Madam Magret Ekpo. We must pay tribute to the commitment, patriotism and foresight of the likes of Sir Ahmadu Bello, Alhaji Sule Gaya, Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nmandi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, Madam Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Jaja of Opobo and Sir Kashim Ibrahim. These are the men and women who led the struggle that culminated in the declaration of independence of Nigeria 63 years ago,” he said.
