Kano at 50: Ganduje honours Murtala, Abacha, Dangote, Dantata, 78 others

KANO State governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has bestowed special awards on 82 prominent Nigerians and expatriates, including former heads of state, General Murtala Muhammad and Gen. Sani Abacha, for their exceptional contributions to the development of the state.

Other beneficiaries included all past military and civilian governors of the state, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, his maternal uncle Alhaji Aminu Dantata and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

In his remarks, Governor Ganduje stated that individual and collective efforts of citizens, especially the founding fathers of the state and other patriotic people resulted in landmarks, by which Kano stood tall among its peers.

“We have come a long way and as a matter of policy, our administration has continued with projects initiate by past administrations, despite economic recession,” the governor stated.

While rejoicing with the recipients, Dr Ganduje stated that the awards would stimulate more people to contribute to the development of the state, stating that his administration would forward a bill to the state legislature to make the Kano Merit Awards a permanent affair in the scheme of things.

The special guest of honour and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, paid special tributes to the first military administrator of the state, late Police Commissioner Audu Bako, and the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for laying the foundation of infrastructural and agricultural progress of the state and for providing the leadership in keeping the pole together.

“As you celebrate 50 years, you must focus on the next 50 years,” he advised, noting that despite economic challenges, Ganduje has so far exhibited level-headedness in dealing with the problems facing the state.

In his speech, Governro Okorocha, who expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for the gesture, urged the government to pay more attention to education of children, assuring that he would personally work with the government to promote education, mainly for poor children, in view of its importance.

On his part, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, said the recognition would inspire them to do more, promising to work closely with the Ganduje administration to enhance the progress of the state.