By Isma'ila Muhammed
Kano state government has reiterated its determination to
raise learning standards to conducive level for indigenes persuing various
disciplines in universities and other higher institutions of learning across
the country.
The state commissioner for information, culture, home
affairs, youth and sports, Malam Garba Yusuf Abubakar made the pledge on
Sunday when he represented the state governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, at
the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected officers of the National
Association of Kano state students (NAKS) which was held at the Murtala
Muhammad Library Complex, Kano.
Malam Abubakar, who described students unionism as the
vanguard of learning political process, urged the elected leaders to be good
ambassadors of Kano state in all their undertakings assuring them that the
government of Malam Ibrahim Shekarau is solidly behind them.
The commissioner who lamented over the situation under
which the Shekarau administration met the education sector said were urgent
efforts not been made a total of 75,000.00 students who gained admission
into various junior secondary schools would still have been wasting.
He pointed out that the state government expended
millions of Naira in settling the accumulated pensions of retirees, a move
which he said will assist parents in tackling some educational problems of
their children.
On the request of the president of the union of
constructing a permanent accommodation, for Kano state students at
universities and other higher institutions as a permanent solution to the
accommodation problems; a permanent secretariat and vehicle for the national
body of the association, Malam Yusuf Abubakar pledged to communicate the
request to the Executive governor, and further present the matter officially
to the executive council during its meeting so that quick action could be
taken.
He said as part of the effort by the present
administration to encourage Kano state indigenes to further their education,
the state government has increased students� allowances by 100, percent
adding that the government has also directed the state scholarship board to
pay all categories of students� allowances on time.
Earlier, the out going president of the association,
comrade Abubakar Muhammad, said that in 2001, they were able to merge all
local chapters to form the national body of the association and accomplished
their task of welfare for members, adding that they were also able to
negotiate with the state government, leading to a 100 per cent increase in
student allowances.
He further added that it was during their time that
through the assistance of the grand patron, the speaker of the state house
of Assembly, Hon. Balarabe Sa'idu Gani, the Kano state government expended
about N250 million in sponsoring Kano state indigenes abroad and other 100
students from FCE Kano to Frankpone countries for studies.
He then appealed to the state government to appoint a
special adviser or assistant on students affairs and provide funds and
vehicle to the association.
Also in his brief remark, the new president of the
association, comrade sadiq M. Sa'ad, appreciated the concern shown by the
government in the education sector and the assistance being giving to it by
the government.
He said that their tenure will be confrontation-free and members will
remain loyal, disciplined and united and called on his colleagues to measure
up to expectation.
