Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, on Friday, promised to submit a Bill on Free and Compulsory Primary School Education to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
He made the pledge while taking the oath of office as the new governor of the state at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Ganduje and his Deputy, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, were sworn in by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Mrs Patricia Mahmud at about 10a.m.
He said such a law was necessary in order to ensure that all children of school age attended primary schools in the state.
“The law will make it compulsory for all children of school age to access free primary education in the state’’, he said.
He said this was part of efforts by the new administration to sustain the free education policy of the former Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
According to him, his administration would establish a new agency to be known as Due Process Agency to ensure due process was followed at all levels of governance in the state.
Ganduje said the new administration planned to establish light railway system in the state to boost socio-economic activities.
He added that he would also restructure the state Anti-corruption Commission with a view to making it more effective and result-oriented.
He said his administration would look at the possibility of scrapping some ministries, pointing out that no civil servant would be affected.
Ganduje restated the commitment of his administration to the provision of infrastructure.
He said he would give priority attention to agriculture, health services and housing scheme for the poor, potable water, poultry and fish farming among others..
‘’We also plan to review the Kano master plan as part of efforts make Kano a mega city’’, he said.
He called on the people to give the administration the necessary support and cooperation to enable it achieve the desired objective.
NAN reports that thousands of people from within and outside the state attended the swearing-in ceremony which was conducted under tight security.
Members of the National Assembly from the state, top government officials, businessmen and women as well as members of the diplomatic corps attended the occasion.
On his part, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State constituted a committee that would assist the government to revive the standard of education in the state.
Masari contended that the state, which was synonymous with commerce and excellence, now ranked among the educationally backward states of the federation.
He said promised that his administration would give education sector priority attention due to its importance in nation building.
The governor he had designed policies and programmes aimed at reviving agriculture so as to ensure self sufficiency/food security and reduce urban-rural drift.
Masari assured the people that government would develop infrastructure, water supply and health to enhance their living conditions.
He said his administration would be the agent of change and obeying the rule of law for peaceful coexistence.
“All we want from you are support and prayers in order to achieve the desired objective’’, he said.
Masari and his deputy were sworn in by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Abdullahi Yusuf.
The event took place at the newly commissioned 35,000 seat capacity Karkanda Stadium.
It was attended by former Gov. Lawal Kaita of old Kaduna state, first civilian governor of the state, Alhaji Saidu Barda, Emirs of Katsina and Daura, Alhaji Abdulmunini Kabir and Alhaji Umar Farouq respectively.
Others were politicians, traditional and religious leaders, among others.
Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe, was sworn in for the second term in Damaturu on Friday by Chief Justice Musa Nabaruma.
He appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari to establish Marshal Plan for the reconstruction of the North-east.
“The state government has embarked on assessment of the destruction caused by the six years of insurgency in all the affected areas.
“This is with a view to partnering the APC controlled Federal Government to carry out rehabilitation, reconstruction, re-integration and re-settlement programme for the region’’, he said.
He assured that his administration would continue to partner with security agencies to establish and accord priority to peace and security of the people in the state.
He promised that his administration would concentrate on agriculture, education, health, infrastructure development, youths, women and vulnerable groups’ empowerment, in the next four years. (NAN)
