By Abubakar Yunusa
The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been nominated for the Award of Excellence in Security Governance by the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Abuja, in recognition of his administration’s efforts in promoting peace, security and social stability.
The nomination letter was presented to the state government through the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, by a delegation from the institute led by its Director, Dr Henry Nwokoji.
Nwokoji said the nomination followed an extensive research and assessment conducted across the seven North-West states, which ranked Kano highest in security resilience, policy implementation and institutional response to security challenges.
According to him, the study found that Kano had recorded significant progress in tackling insecurity through strategic leadership, political commitment and targeted interventions aimed at addressing the root causes of crime and social unrest.
He particularly commended the Safe Corridor Initiative introduced by the Yusuf administration, describing it as a deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme designed to prevent youths involved in drug abuse and other social vices from drifting into banditry, kidnapping and violent extremism.
Receiving the nomination letter on behalf of the governor, Waiya expressed appreciation to the institute for recognising the administration’s efforts in strengthening security and maintaining peace across the state.
He said the award nomination reflected the government’s commitment to supporting security agencies and implementing programmes aimed at protecting lives and property.
The commissioner highlighted the establishment of the Kano State Neighbourhood Watch Corps, which recruited and trained more than 2,000 youths who have since been absorbed into the state civil service and deployed across the 44 local government areas.
He added that the government had provided operational vehicles, motorcycles, uniforms and office facilities to enhance the corps’ effectiveness in supporting conventional security agencies.
Waiya also disclosed that the state established an Anti-Phone Snatching Squad as part of measures to curb crime and improve public safety.
On the Safe Corridor Initiative, he revealed that over 3,000 youths had voluntarily enrolled in the programme, while the governor approved funding for its implementation in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
He explained that the first phase would focus on the rehabilitation of 1,000 youths through a 40-day camp, after which beneficiaries would receive educational and vocational support to facilitate their reintegration into society.
The commissioner attributed the relative peace being enjoyed in the state to the governor’s inclusive style of governance, collaboration with security agencies and support from residents.
He assured the delegation that the nomination letter and research report would be formally presented to Governor Yusuf.
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