The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, with a charge to academics and intellectuals to deploy their knowledge, research and expertise towards addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting the people of the state.
Inaugurating the Forum, the Commissioner said the responsibility of academic institutions goes beyond the production of graduates and the issuance of academic certificates, stressing that higher institutions have a critical role to play in generating knowledge and providing practical solutions to the challenges confronting society.
Comrade Waiya noted that academic communities possess the technical knowledge, research capacity and professional expertise required to conduct evidence-based studies and develop innovative solutions to the problems affecting their host communities.
He therefore urged members of the Kano Intellectuals Forum to see their membership as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state by providing research-based advice, policy recommendations and technical support to government.
The Commissioner said the Forum would serve as an important platform for strengthening collaboration between the academic community and government, particularly in the areas of education, economic development, social welfare, innovation, human capital development and other sectors critical to improving the quality of life of the people.
He said the Forum has an important role to play in supporting and complementing government efforts towards improving the wellbeing of the people of Kano State.
According to him, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated a commitment to placing the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of its development agenda through the Kano First Agenda, adding that the intellectual community should contribute its expertise towards achieving the objectives of the initiative.
Comrade Waiya called on members of the Forum to develop practical and implementable recommendations that could assist government in formulating policies and programmes capable of producing sustainable socioeconomic and political development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education Dr. Kabiru Gwarzo, explained that the Forum was designed to ensure broad and inclusive representation of the academic community across tertiary institutions in the state.
He said each tertiary institution would have four representatives drawn from different segments of the institution, including academic and non-academic staff, students and women.
Dr. Gwarzo said the inclusive composition was intended to ensure that the Forum benefits from diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise in addressing issues affecting the development of Kano State.
In his remarks, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr. Ali Tamasi, observed that Kano’s academic institutions are endowed with highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who have provided consultancy services to organisations and institutions in and outside the country.
He stressed the need to create opportunities for such experts to deploy their knowledge and experience towards solving local challenges and contributing to the development of Kano State.
Dr. Tamasi said the establishment of the Forum would provide a structured platform for engaging intellectuals within the state to compliment the efforts of government in formulating policies and programmes, particularly in the Kano First agenda.
He explained that the Forum would advise and support government in areas such as education, socioeconomic development, research, policy formulation and other areas which would potentially support in improving the living standards of the people.
The Acting Provost expressed optimism that the Forum would strengthen the relationship between government and tertiary institutions and promote greater utilisation of academic research and professional expertise in addressing developmental challenges.
One critical area which the Forum will focus, is dissimination of Government achievements in the Tertiary institutions, for the people to appreciate the volume of investment in the sector
Signed
Sani Abba Yola
Director Special Duties
Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs