Mobilize citizens for meaningful participation – Gov Yusuf tells CSOs

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged civil society organizations (CSOs) to deepen citizens’ involvement in governance, describing them as the conscience of society whose role is indispensable in amplifying voices, monitoring government actions, and mobilizing grassroots participation. The governor, represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, made the call at the opening […]

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged civil society organizations (CSOs) to deepen citizens’ involvement in governance, describing them as the conscience of society whose role is indispensable in amplifying voices, monitoring government actions, and mobilizing grassroots participation.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, made the call at the opening of the maiden Kano State Civil Society Organizations Conference, held in Kano.

The two-day conference, themed “Empowering Civil Society Organizations in Kano State for a Sustainable Future: Uniting for Active Democratic Participation and Grassroots Development”, was organized by the Kano Patriotic Civil Society Organizations with support from the state government through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.

Governor Yusuf commended the resilience of civil society groups in Kano, noting their contributions to education, healthcare, gender justice, climate action, anti-corruption advocacy, and peacebuilding. He charged participants to use the platform to strengthen institutional capacity, promote synergy with government and the private sector, and harness technology to enhance civic engagement, particularly among young people.

“Civil society organizations are the conscience of society. They amplify the voices of the vulnerable, monitor government actions, and mobilize citizens for meaningful participation,” the governor said.

Delivering the keynote address, the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, highlighted reforms undertaken by the Yusuf administration to institutionalize accountability and ensure value for money in governance.

He pointed to strict enforcement of procurement laws, real-time project monitoring through the Kano State Integrated Monitoring System (KSIMS), and enhanced community involvement in project oversight.

Waiya also highlighted the administration’s compliance with the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling on local government autonomy. According to him, Kano had gone further by transmitting a bill to the State Assembly to guarantee full financial and administrative autonomy for its 44 local councils.

“This is not just compliance with the law but a demonstration of leadership and a fulfilment of our campaign promise. It signals our trust in grassroots governance and our belief in democracy at the local level,” he said.

The commissioner added that the administration had strengthened accountability mechanisms across ministries, ensured inclusivity through the appointment of women to strategic positions, and deepened collaboration with CSOs in combating gender-based violence and advancing social development.