KANO STATE GOVERNMENT COMMENCES ACTIVITIES TO MARK NIGERIA @ 66 WITH PUBLIC LECTURE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE
As part of the activities to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of Nigeria's Independence, the Kano State Government through the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, has organized a Public Lecture to reflect on the nation's journey and chart a course for a more united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
The lecture, which marked the commencement of activities for the Independence Anniversary celebration in the State, was held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.
The event brought together a diverse audience including students from primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, members of the State Executive Council, top government officials, traditional leaders, security agencies, civil society organizations, members of the academia, and other critical stakeholders.
The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Hafiz Abubakar, in his opening remarks, congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary and said the public lecture was organized to reflect on the journey so far as a nation that signifies unity, peace and progress
Prof. Hafiz Abubakar noted that despite the challenges, Nigeria has faced since independence in 1960, the country has made some remarkable progress in sustaining its unity in diversity.
He called on citizens, especially the youth, to be patriotic, to embrace peace, and to contribute positively to national development. He commended the Kano State Government for organizing the lecture as a platform for intellectual discourse and building of the culture of patriotism on the minds of young Nigerians
In his keynote paper presentation titled 'KANO FIRST AGENDA: The Goals, the Vision, Paving a way for a future of our dream', the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, outlined the vision and developmental blueprint of the present administration under the leadership of His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Comrade Waiya explained that, the Kano First Agenda is anchored on people-centered development, with priority on education, healthcare, youth empowerment, agricultural transformation, infrastructural renewal and good governance.
He said the Kano First Agenda, was designed to restore the lost glory of Kano as the centre of commerce, culture and learning in Africa and to lay a solid foundation for a future that the younger generation would be proud of.
Delivering his paper on 'Consolidating the Gains of Democracy through Citizens' Participation: A path to successful 2027 General Elections', Alhaji Gidado Mukhtar emphasized that democracy could only thrive when citizens actively participate in the electoral process.
Alh. Gidado Mukhtar said every citizen has the right to know who their leader is, what his manifesto contains, why he should be their leader, and what their own role is in the governance process.
On his part, the State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Commander Dahiru Lawan Yahaya, presented a paper titled 'Implication of Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking among Youth and the Role of Stakeholders in Fighting the Menace'.
The NDLEA Commander, raised alarm over the increasing rate of drug abuse among the youth in Kano and Nigeria at large, describing it as a major threat to national security, productivity and family values.
He called for a collective approach involving parents, schools, traditional institutions, religious leaders, government and the media in the fight against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.
In a goodwill message on behalf of the four Emirate Councils of Kano, Karaye, Gaya and Rano, the Falakin Kano, Dr. Mukhtar Ibrahim Bello, said the traditional institution remains a pillar of unity and stability in the State and the nation at large.
They congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary and called on all citizens to continue to uphold the values of peace, respect, tolerance and brotherhood that define Nigeria as a diverse but united nation. He stressed the need for the preservation of our cultural heritage and moral values as a foundation for national progress.
The Emirs further commended the Kano State Government for involving traditional institutions in governance and for providing a platform that brings together the youth and leaders to reflect on the nation's past and plan for the future.
They prayed for continued peace in Kano State and Nigeria and assured of their unflinching support to all government efforts aimed at fostering unity and development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary Alhaji Tsoho Aliyu Rogo reiterated the commitment of the Ministry to continue to enlighten the public on government policies and programmes and to promote unity and peaceful coexistence in the State.
The highly interactive session featured cultural dance performances by students reflecting the nation's diverse cultures and promoting a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.
The event ended with a vote of thanks and prayers for the continued peace, unity and progress of Kano State and Nigeria at large.
Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru
Director, Public Enlightenment
Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs
Kano State
29th September, 2026
