By Nworisa Michael
A few days ago, I came across a post by my friend, Zainab Nasir Ahmad, but didn’t pay much attention to it at first.
However, seeing similar narratives gaining traction, I feel compelled to respond especially as Zainab openly invited anyone to do so.
In her post, Zainab questioned His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf’s claim of having fulfilled 85% of his campaign promises. Her focus was centered solely on education. While scrutiny is always welcome in a democracy, it should be rooted in facts, not speculative narratives.
Sister below are verifiable responses your questions:
2.2.1 – Free Education (Exam Fees Covered)
Kano State allocated over ₦3 billion to cover exam fees for 141,175 indigent students, including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS.
Sources:
https://punchng.com/kano-spends-n3bn-on-wassce-neco-fees-for-141000-students
https://tribuneonlineng.com/gov-yusuf-pays-over-n3bn-for-neco-nabteb-nbai-fees-of-kano-students
2.2.2 & 2.2.3 – New Schools & Infrastructure Renovation
13 previously closed boarding schools have been reopened and renovated statewide, improving learning conditions across the state.
Source:
https://www.peoplesdailyng.com/construction-renovation-works-ongoing-as-schools-need-furniture-in-kano
2.2.4 – One Child, One Chair Campaign
The government distributed 73,800 three-seater desks to schools across all 44 LGAs.
Sources:
https://dailytrust.com/gov-yusuf-distributes-over-73000-desks-to-schools-across-kano
https://kanostate.gov.ng/governor-abba-kabir-yusuf-distributed-73800-three-seat-desks-to-schools-across-the-44-lgas-of-the-state
Criticism without verification is hollow. If these numbers raise doubts, I challenge you, my sister Zainab, and others who share similar views, to do the following:
1. Take your campaign offline: Visit schools, the Ministry of Education, and local education boards. Gather on-ground data, engage with real stakeholders, and verify the impact for yourself.
2. Publish your findings: Whether your findings validate your claims or not, make them public. This is the only way to build credible civic conversations based on facts not assumptions.
3. Challenge the media houses: Punch, Daily Trust, Tribune and others all reported these developments. By discrediting the Governor’s claim, you are also accusing these outlets of publishing fake or unverified news? If so, take it up with them legally for breaching journalistic ethics.
Let me also clarify: the 85% fulfillment claim by Governor Abba is based on the entirety of his 2023 campaign promises not just education. While the education sector remains a major priority under the declared education emergency, it is only one part of a broader policy effort across health, infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, women’s welfare, and security.
Sister, just as you’ve invited public response, I now ask that these three calls be honored openly and transparently.
Let’s raise the bar for civic dialogue by grounding it in evidence, not emotion.
Nworisa Michael
A Concerned Citizen
nworisamichael1917@gmail.com
