Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has extended warm greetings to Christians throughout the state as they celebrate the 2024 Christmas season. This festive period was marked by the Governor’s heartfelt message, where he expressed joy and gratitude, alongside the Christian community, for the divine mercies allowing them to witness yet another season of celebration.
Released on Wednesday through his spokesperson, Sanusi Dawakin-Tofa, the Governor emphasized the importance of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence during this joyous season. “I urge you to embrace the spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” Yusuf remarked, urging all residents to strengthen ties of unity, love, and brotherhood as the country's progress hinges on fostering harmony across diverse communities.
Central to his message was the call to reflect on the virtues advocated by Jesus Christ, including humanity, love, honesty, kindness, and forgiveness. “Let us reflect on the enduring spirit of humanity, love, honesty, kindness, and forgiveness,” he urged, appealing for these timeless principles to resonate across Kano as the community celebrates.
Further underlining the Christmas spirit, Governor Yusuf took the opportunity to donate N20 million to selected Christian groups supporting celebrations across the state, affirming his administration's willingness to commit to fulfilling campaign promises aimed at improving social services and infrastructure.
Yusuf reiterated his administration’s promise to boost the quality of life for all residents through various initiatives, particularly highlighting the revitalization of the education sector which is undergoing significant improvements. “The deplorable state of infrastructure in education is being reversed,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of addressing these long-standing issues.
Health services, as noted by the Governor, remain high on the priority list, with several programs aimed at enhancing maternal health and tackling malnutrition. Notably, he announced the reactivation of routine immunization programs and the revitalization of Multiple Micronutrients Supplement centers.
“We have reactivated routine immunization and resuscitated maternal health and Multiple Micronutrients Supplements centres to reduce the ugly trend of malnutrition,” Yusuf stated, showcasing his commitment to improving overall well-being across Kano population.
His message also carried notes of caution, urging residents to refrain from actions threatening peace and security. The Governor highlighted the need for collaboration among citizens to support stability and pledged to confront any disruptive elements. “Our government will work with all security agencies to deal ruthlessly with any group or individual plotting to test the strength of this administration,” he warned, underscoring the need for vigilance and unity within the state.
Among other activities around this festive time, the Kano State Anti-Corruption Agency also conducted ceremonies recognizing the work of local officials combating corruption. Abba Al-Mustapha, Chairman of the Kano State Film and Video Censors Board, received accolades for his tireless efforts against corruption.
According to Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, spokesperson for the Kano Anti-Corruption Agency, Al-Mustapha’s dedication was pivotal, leading to the award being conferred upon him. “The award was conferred for his relentless fight against corruption,” Sulaiman conveyed, recognizing the significance of Al-Mustapha's contributions to the agency's overarching mission.
During his response, Al-Mustapha expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against corruption, calling it one of the major issues hindering the country’s progress. “I am committed to the fight against corruption which is one of the challenges impeding our national development,” Al-Mustapha affirmed, reflecting camaraderie shared among various arms of leadership within Kano State.
By intertwining celebrations, community support, and efforts against corruption, Governor Abba Yusuf aims to present a unified front as Kano State navigates the challenges of the coming year. The combined emphasis on generosity during the festive season and the unwavering pursuit against corruption seeks to galvanize unity and resilience among Kano’s residents.
