By John Okeke
The Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite has described Kano as a city of excellence, a centre of trade and commerce, especially, Gold, describing it further as a known ancient city where gold was transformed into jewelry and artifacts of beauty and adornment.
This was contained in a Press statement by Theodore Agbagwa from ministry’s press Unit.
The Minister gave the description in Government House, Kano, during his courtesy visit to the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, before he proceeded to the formal launch of “Kano Gold Durbar” held at Ado Bayero Mall in the State Capital.
Adegbite stated that he came in the company of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development officials to celebrate Kano Gold, stressing that empirical evidence has shown the fact that Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources, waiting for investors to come and do the exploration.
The Minister disclosed that “Kano Gold Durbar” was a programme designed as private sector initiative by investment promotion to celebrate Kano being a city where conventional business transaction in precious stones, especially, gold is being carried out.
He reiterated that Federal Government is passionate of the diversification of the economy and creation of employment through mining and exploration of other mineral resources, other than oil and gas.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Kano state, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who represented the governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje stated that Kano State is going to be the gold hub of Nigeria, adding that the state is going to partner with Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, not only in Gold mining but in other mineral exploration activities meant to create about 250 million jobs for the teaming unemployed youths. Nasiru on behalf of Gadunje welcomed the Minister and members of his entourage and assured him that Kano state is ready to cooperate with his ministry to ensure that the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) achieve a desired success.
