By Rabiu Sanusi
Kano State Government has allocated plots of land to more than 1,000 young people comprising party marshals, volunteers and community-based support groups as part of its youth empowerment and economic inclusion initiatives.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf stated this in an address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Farukh Umar Ibrahim, during the distribution of the land allocation documents to the beneficiaries.
Governor Yusuf said the initiative was aimed at giving young people meaningful assets that could serve as homes, businesses and long-term economic security for themselves and their families. He urged beneficiaries to protect and develop the allocations rather than sell them carelessly.
The Governor also called on the youths to channel their energy towards positive activities, urging them to shun unnecessary conflicts and violence. He asked the beneficiaries to help promote peace, explain government programmes in their communities and discourage young people from activities capable of disrupting social stability.
He said the land allocation was part of the administration’s wider development agenda covering education, healthcare, roads, water supply, agriculture, power, housing, urban development and youth empowerment, stressing that development must ultimately improve the living conditions of ordinary families.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar said the allocation was a continuation of the administration’s policy of using land as an instrument of empowerment, housing development and economic inclusion.
The Commissioner disclosed that the government had previously allocated land to more than 500 political appointees and supporters, over 1,500 polling agents, youths from the 44 local government areas and other categories of beneficiaries.
He said developing the new plots would create economic opportunities for surveyors, architects, builders, artisans, transporters and suppliers of construction materials.
Hon. Abduljabbar congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the allocations responsibly, saying the government ultimate objective was to see the plots transformed into homes, businesses, stronger families and properly planned communities that would contribute to the economic development of Kano State.