Aliyu Isa Aliyu

By Ibrahim Yunusa 

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, officially commissioned and handed over the Leather Enterprise Centre to Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Dambatta (ABCOAD), describing the project as a major Federal Government investment in vocational education, youth empowerment, and the development of Nigeria’s leather industry. 

The centre is expected to provide practical training, promote research and innovation, and equip students with entrepreneurial skills that will create employment opportunities.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Provost of ABCOAD, Dr Hassan Ibrahim, thanked the Federal Government and the Ministry of Livestock Development for establishing the facility.

 He said the centre would strengthen practical teaching in leather technology, shoe production, and other leather products while serving as a hub for research and enterprise development. 

He also highlighted the college’s contribution to agricultural manpower, noting that most extension workers in Kano and Jigawa States are graduates of the institution, and announced the launch of a Mobile Veterinary Service for livestock farmers.

Representatives of the Kano State Government praised the project as a significant boost to technical and vocational education.

 They said the Leather Enterprise Centre would equip young people with marketable skills, encourage entrepreneurship, create jobs, and contribute to economic growth. 

They also urged the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to sustain its partnership with ABCOAD, given ABCOAD’s strategic role in developing skilled agricultural and livestock professionals.

While handing over the facility, Minister Maiha reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to investing in institutions that promote innovation, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship. 

He said the centre would prepare students to become employers of labour rather than job seekers, adding that vocational education remains essential for job creation, economic diversification, and sustainable national development. 

The event attracted government officials, traditional rulers, academics, industry stakeholders, development partners, students, and members of the public.

By Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi

The Kano State Government is set to begin engaging volunteer ad-hoc data collectors across the state’s 484 wards as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive multisectoral data bank and dashboard. The initiative, which is nearing 70 per centcompletion, has been approved by the Executive Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to the State Statistician-General, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, the volunteers, who must be residents of their respective wards, will be trained by the State Bureau of Statistics on the use of digital data collection tools. 

Dr Aliyu added that their responsibilities will include collecting demographic data such as births, deaths, maternal and child mortality rates from ward head registers and graveyards, as well as statistics on education, healthcare, security, and access to water and electricity.

Dr. Aliyu emphasised the importance of collaboration between volunteers, ward heads, and community stakeholders to collect accurate and timely data. He added that school teachers and health workers are strongly encouraged to apply once the application portal is made public.

“This is a collective responsibility and an opportunity for all of us who are committed to supporting our state,” he said. “Together, we shall make Kano great.”