Kano state government is looking into the possibility of engaging the six states in North western Nigeria, to run the state – owned Northwest University, with a view to making it a mega university, the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has announced.
Dr. Ganduje, who dropped the hint while receiving management officers of the university led by the Pro Chancellor, Malam Sule Yahaya Hamma, in his office on Friday, said the vision is to put in place a highly homogeneous institution that will make the region the largest supplier of trained manpower to Nigeria.
“This university is very important to us. We started big and we shall continue to measure up. We must maintain the tempo at which the university is progressing. We want to make the university a pride of the North west”, the governor asserted.
He however, appealed for more assistance for the university and its sister institution, Kano Sate University of Science and Technology, from TETfund to enable both institutions render academic and other services more efficiently.
The governor also promised that his administration would do its best to solve the major problems of the Northwest University, urging its management to sustain their commitment to move the institution to greater heights.
In his remarks, the Pro Chancellor of the university, Malam Sule Yahaya Hamma told the governor that the university is scheduled for accreditation soon and requires the support of the government to complete some ongoing projects within its complex as well as other assistance, to enable it meet the Nigerian Universities Commission accreditation guidelines.
In another development, Governor Ganduje has announced that the state government is contemplating establishing an Industrial Promotion Agency as part of its efforts to create jobs for the teeming youths in Kano.
He dropped the hint while receiving the Growth and Enhancement in States, GEMS, Regional Manager, Mr. Kevin Conroy, who visited him in his office. The governor promised to work closely with GEMS project to create more jobs and enhance economic progress in the state.
Earlier, Mr. Conroy told the governor that Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) is an employment project supported by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (FMTI) and funded by the World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). He added that the project is aimed at job creation and increased non – oil growth in specific high potential value chain sectors.
Mr. Conroy stated that the project is willing to partner with the state government in tax management, land administration and other investment opportunities that will create wealth and alleviate poverty.
