Kano inaugurates intellectuals forum to harness academic expertise

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum, with a call on academics and intellectuals to deploy their knowledge and expertise towards addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting the state.

Waiya made the call while inaugurating the forum at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, stressing that the responsibility of tertiary institutions goes beyond producing graduates and issuing academic certificates.

He said higher institutions have a critical role to play in generating knowledge, conducting research and providing practical solutions to societal challenges.

However, this was contained in a statement signed by Sani Abba Yola, Director, Special Duties, Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, a copy of which was made available to the press in Kano.

According to him, academic communities possess the technical knowledge, research capacity and professional expertise required to undertake evidence-based studies and develop innovative solutions to problems affecting their host communities.

Waiya, therefore, urged members of the forum to regard their membership as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of Kano through research-based advice, policy recommendations and technical support to government.

He said the forum would provide an important platform for strengthening collaboration between government and the academic community, particularly in education, economic development, social welfare, innovation and human capital development.

The commissioner added that the forum would support government efforts to improve the wellbeing of residents, noting that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had placed the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of its development agenda through the Kano First Agenda.

Waiya challenged the intellectual community to develop practical and implementable recommendations that could assist government in formulating policies and programmes capable of promoting sustainable socioeconomic and political development.

Earlier, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Dr Kabiru Gwarzo, said the forum was established to ensure broad and inclusive representation of the academic community across tertiary institutions in the state.

Gwarzo explained that each tertiary institution would have four representatives drawn from different segments, including academic and non-academic staff, students and women.

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He said the inclusive composition was designed to bring diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise to bear on issues affecting the development of Kano.

Also speaking, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr Ali Tamasi, said Kano’s tertiary institutions were endowed with highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who had provided consultancy services to organisations within and outside the country.

Tamasi stressed the need to create opportunities for such experts to deploy their knowledge and experience towards solving local challenges and contributing to the development of the state.

He said the forum would provide a structured platform for engaging intellectuals in policy formulation and programmes, particularly in support of the Kano First Agenda.

According to him, the forum would advise and support government in areas including education, socioeconomic development, research and policy formulation, with the ultimate aim of improving the living standards of the people.

Tamasi expressed optimism that the initiative would strengthen the relationship between government and tertiary institutions and promote greater utilisation of academic research and professional expertise in tackling developmental challenges.

He added that one of the key areas of focus of the forum would be the dissemination of information on government achievements in tertiary institutions, to enable members of the academic community and the wider public to appreciate the level of investment in the sector.