From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
President Muhammadu Buhari arrived Kano from his Daura country home Monday. He was warmly received by a team of government officials, technocrats, business moguls, statesmen and politicians led by Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. A mammoth crowd was also on the streets hailing and praising President Buhari amid tight security.
The crowd were particularly happy for President Buhari’s approval of the 10 days extension date for the new Naira notes swap announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Sunday.
President Buhari was in Kano to commission about eight mega-prpjects. As early as 7 a.m., security personnel such as the Police, the Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Roads Safety Corps as well as the state’s Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) were sighted on all the major roads within the state capital ensuring adeqaute security.
President Buhari who left Daura at about 9:30 a. m arrived Kumbotso, Kano, at about at 9:40 on board Chopper.
Projects Commissioned by President Buhari include the 10 Megawatts Federal Government, Kano Grid Solar project, the Multi-billion Naira Dala Inland Dry Port, Zawachiki, Kano State Data Centre at Audu Bako secretariat, Galaxy Backbone Limited project at Ahmadu Bello Way.
Others are the Multi-billion Naira Cancer Treatment Center at Muhahammdu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Multi-billion Naira Muhammadu Buhari Road Rotary Inter-change at Hotoro, Aliko Dangote Ultra-modern Skills Acquisition Centre, Zaria Road, and the Federal Government completed Housing Projects at Danmqnawa, Gandul Sari.
On his visit to the Emir’s Palace, Emir of Kano , His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for the 10 days extension of the Naira swap date and the execution of tangible Federal Government projects in Kano by his administration. The Emir who received President Buhari In his Palace also thanked the President for his continued support to the palace, and maintenance of the cordial relationship with his late father, His Highness, Emir Ado Abdullahi Bayero.
Emir Aminu Ado Bayero who is the chairman, Kano State Council of Emirs, further appreciated President Buhari for always finding it necessary to visit the Palace whenever he is in Kano, recalling that for three years he has been on the throne, the President has visited the Palace three times. The Royal Father, however, expressed gratitude that Kano has benefited much in terms of Federal Government projects and appointments since Buhari became President.
He prayed for peaceful election, and urged politicians to eschew violence and hate speech as they carry on with their electioneering campaigns for the forthcoming general elections in March and February.
In his remarks, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who officially introduced President Buhari to Emir Aminu Bayero enumerated the projects slated to be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking at the Emir’s Palace, President Buhari said he visited the Emir of Kano to pay his respects to His Highness. He added that his mission to Kano was to inaugurate some projects executed by Governor Ganduje.
President Buhari also unveiled the “Soron Palace Ingliga” built by the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, grand father to Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. which has been renewed. The Soron Ingliga was, however, rehabilitated and expanded in 2022 by by Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
After commissioning the projects, President Buhari’s entourage arrived Kano Government House late in the afternoon where they had a working lunch and light interactions with politicians and Kano stakeholders.
Among those who made short speeches during the lunch at Government House include Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, Minister of Transportation, Engr. Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. It’s Ali Ibrahim, Minister of Finance, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Governor Ganduje, while President Buhari gave a brief response.
From Government House, the presidential convoy departed to Emir’s Palace for helipad from where the presidential Chopper flew back to Daura, his country home in Katsina state.
