From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has vowed that his administration will not allow bandits and insurgents to overrun Kano forests.
He said apart from boosting the morale of security agencies, Kano has deployed sophisticated security apparatus to fortify its territory.
According to him, the establishment of RUGA and military training facilities at Falgore forest.
Ganduje spoke at Kano Government House on Saturday, during Breakfast/Award night organized as part of activities to mark the May Day celebration in the state.
He also received accolades from leaders of the organized Labour in the state for his commitment and steadfastness in ensuring security of lives and property in the state, even in the face of damning security challenges in neighbouring states.
“We will not allow Boko Haram to inherit our forests. It is very very impossible,” Ganduje assured.
Ganduje who promised to keep supporting workers in the state also announced the extension of teachers’ lenght of service from 35;to 40 years, while retirement age was increased from 60 to 65 years.
“The length of service for our teachers has been 35 years, I am glad to inform this gathering that, we have now increased the duration to 40 years.
“You are all aware that federal government has made a pronouncement by increasing the retirement age and the length of service of teachers serving under federal government. So we don’t want teachers in Kano state to be left behind,” he stated.
He maintained that, “Kano state teachers were not onlookers, not bench sitters, not cheats. In order to promote their commitment and motivate our teachers, Kano state has now decided to increase the length of service from 30 years to 35 years. To also increase the retirement age for our teachers from 60 years to 65 years.”
According to him, all teachers from primary to secondary schools up to tertiary institutions, would benefit from the new policy, adding that, “this is an innovation that we cherish and it will be sustained.
“Our teachers are our fathers. They are the backbone of sustainable development. Because without education there is no development. Then if we are to sustain our system of education, then their welfare is absolutely necessary.
“You could recall some two or three years back, we promoted our teachers and paid them increased salary for their promotion. Which affected the payment of our monthly salaries with over N500 million. That is unprecedented.”
Ganduje also revealed that, the state has accepted to stand as guarantor for workers in the state in the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) different loan schemes, with the view to creating enabling environment for workers welfare and financial inclusion.
He said, “all the CBN programmes that are coming to our workers, Kano state government is ready to provide enabling environment. All the guarantees that are required, state government will provide the guarantee. Especially for our civil servants, whose salaries are in our hands.
“But for private sector we will also give the guarantee. But we work with their employers to ensure that their salaries are flowing every month. So that there will be no problem in doing that.”
In his request earlier, the state chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Kabiru Ado Minjibir appealed that, “government should support workers who are willing to participate and benefit from the CBN loans by issuing irrevocable standing payment order, as provided by the CBN guidelines.”
“The National Secretariat is already in partnership with the CBN through state branches, with the provision of various loans schemes to interested workers. Which included Anchor-Borrower programme, where workers can access up to N3 million to N5 million, with payment after harvest.
“Agribusiness, Small and Medium Enterprises Investment scheme. Where workers can access N3m to N10m. Then COVID-19 Support Loan. Where workers can access N100,000 (one hundred thousand Naira) to N1m, with friendly repayment period.”
Speaking on why NLC was honouring some people at the occasion, Minjibir said the awardees were honoured for their hardworking and adherence to the Civil Service rules and regulations.
According to him, “the NLC found it necessary to honour not only Civil servants who were dedicated and committed to their work, but also workers and employees at the private sector.
“We are awarding those that deserve to be honoured with certificate of excellence by the NLC, while some of them will go home with cash from N50,000 to N100,000 each.”
The NLC chairman, however, lauded Ganduje’s administration for effective security management in the state with minimal cases of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
He further commended Ganduje for efficient management of the first and second wave of COVID-19 in the state.
He lauded the Governor for, “being up-to-date in the payment of salary and pension in the state, despite the economic turbulence being experienced in the country until recently when the economic situation bite harder.”
Dr. Minjibir described the theme of the 2021 May Day celebration: ‘COVID-19 Pandemic, Social and Economic Crisis: Challenges for Decent Jobs and People’s Welfare”, as symbolic to the continued struggle for survival under the current economic hardship.
He also charged workers to continue to give in their best while discharging their Civic responsibilities.
