From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has hinted that teachers in the state would no longer suffer accommodation problem as his administration has already completed over 2000 houses for teachers.
He said that more houses are being constructed for teachers in the state, as part of gestures to boost their morale and encourage them to take their duties seriously, as well as making their profession attractive.
Ganduje disclosed this while declaring open a two-day NUJ Special Delegates Conference holding in Kano.
The Conference with the theme: “Conflict-Sensitive Reporting And Nigerian Journalism,” has over 300 delegates in attendance from across the country.
According to Ganduje, over 2,000 of the houses has been completed, out of which about 750 would be commissioned in Kano metropolis by President Muhammadu Buhari during his visit to the state next week.
The Governor further stated that the houses were not free of charge, adding that the state government would provide the enabling environment through the banks for the teachers to acquire them.
He also told the gathering that his administration has increased the retirement age of teachers from 60 years to 65 years in order to enhance the value of the teaching profession in the state.
Ganduje further disclosed that the state government has allowed teachers in the state to further their education so as to improve their qualifications as well as the quality of education in the state.
He said the state government has made the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) the minimum teaching qualification in the state.
He commended the decision of the NUJ to hold the Conference in Kano which he said is the commercial nerve centre of the North and some African countries, as well as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
Ganduje said his administration has ensured excellent working relationship between it and practicing journalists in the state and the media in general, as well as promoting freedom of information.
Ganduje also hinted that the state government has constructed about 30 corner shops at the state NUJ Secretariat to help serve as a source of revenue for the union, “in addition to the standardization of its Conference Hall.”
He also said that the state government has released funds for the purchase of code machine for the state-owned Triumph Publishing Company for possible resumption of daily publication of its Newspapers such as the Triumph, Weekend Triumph, Sunday Triumph,Alfijir and Albishir.
Ganduje further disclosed that the state government has digitalized the state-owned Abubakar Rimi Television with the supply and installation of state-of-the-art equipment, while the studious of Radio Kano has been fully equipped with modern transmission gadgets.
