We’re left with 400,000 out-of-school children in Kano- Ganduja

Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has stated that his government has been able to reduce the number of out of school-children in Kano, by 600,000. The Ganduje made this known, when he led a delegation of newly elected legislators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on a courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ganduje said: “We used to have One Million out-of-school children but now we are down to about 400,000 on account of the new education policy which now makes schooling free and compulsory from basic to secondary school, complemented with free feeding, free uniforms and free instructional materials.”

The Governor further used the opportunity to thank the Federal Government for its numerous projects in Kano, which according to him include the Kano – Abuja road reconstruction; the modern railway from Kaduna to Kano, and from Kano to Niger Republic; the gas pipeline from Ajaokuta to Kaduna and from Kaduna to Kano; dualisation of Kano – Katsina highway; as well as the construction and equipping of new terminal wing of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

In the area of security, Ganduje said: “We have done a lot in the area of security, even installing CCTV cameras in black spots and all major routes into Kano state. We also have a multi-purpose vehicle for monitoring, which has helped in arresting kidnappers and Boko Haram terrorists. We have also established an army training area.”

Responding, President drew emphasis to the essentiality of separation, saying: “I know my role as the President of Nigeria. By the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governor of Kano State has his own roles, once a matter is in the hands of the House of Assembly (like in Kano), the President has no constitutional right to interfere. I am here by the constitution, I swore by it, and I am going to stand by it. But let me tell you the bottom-line of my understanding of the constitutional role is that peace and security of all Nigerians must be guaranteed, where the people are threatened, then I will use my constitutional powers.”

Speaking to the Lawmakers, the President said: “I hope you are mindful of your promises to your constituencies. You went round and you promised your constituencies. I hope the promises you made are within the resources of your State. If you made promises outside your resources, it will be your problem because you are going to stand again in four years’ time. This is very important and it is important for our party.”