Kano State government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of donor funds by vowing not to misuse any funds allocated to the state by donor agencies.
The assurance was given by Alh. Umar Haruna Doguwa, the State Commissioner for Education, during a meeting with officials from PLANE, a project funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), which focuses on supporting basic education in the state.
In the meeting, Commissioner Doguwa emphasized the government’s stance of non-interference in the utilization of donor funds.
He expressed his belief that this approach would not only enhance the confidence of development partners but also increase the likelihood of the state receiving additional support.
He stated, “The government will not touch your funds and you will be allowed to apply them within the agreed rules. Donor funds must be reflected on the environment, people need to see what you and the government are doing, so that their confidence in governance will be restored.”
Highlighting the significance of education in Kano State, Alh. Umar Doguwa reiterated the Abba administration’s dedication to the sector.
He assured that the government’s budget for 2024 would clearly outline their commitment to advancing education in the state.
Addressing the officials from PLANE, the State Team Lead, Malam Umar Lawan, explained that their seven-year program primarily focused on supporting the government in implementing policies and initiatives for basic education, with a special emphasis on girl-child education. He detailed their ongoing efforts in 11 local government areas, where they were supporting 1,112 schools, 4,059 teachers, and 338,970 students.
The Commissioner also urged other donor agencies operating in the education sector of the state to coordinate their activities to prevent duplication and ensure that funds are directed towards priority projects.
With these reassurances from the Kano State government and the dedicated efforts of projects like PLANE, there is hope for a brighter future for basic education in the state.
As stakeholders work together, the impact of these initiatives will hopefully be felt by the students and the community at large.
Ameen K. Yassar, Director of Public Enlightenment at the Ministry of Education, Kano, also affirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and responsible utilization of donor funds, ensuring that the state’s image remains untarnished throughout these developmental endeavors.
