News Investigators/ Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has announced a donation of N100 million for the construction of an ultra-modern palace for Oba Yoruba in Kano.
Mr Yusuf made the announcement at the Yoruba Political Mobilisation and Empowerment Programme, and the Launch of N3 billion appeal fund for the project, on Saturday in Kano.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the empowerment was organised by the Leke Abejide Foundation, the House of Representatives member representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State.
The programme is also to mobilise one million votes in Kano for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
The governor asked for the project design and bill of quantity to see how the government would also assist.
Mr Yusuf said that he became emotional when Rep. Leke Abejide said he came to give back to the people of Kano, the city that led the foundation of his life.
He said that Kano remained home for all, and appreciated the contribution of all Nigerians living in peace and contributing to the prosperity of the state.
Mr Yusuf therefore urged the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by re-electing President Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr Abejide, explained that the N500 million women empowerment was part of his commitment to giving back to the people of Kano, a city that laid the foundation of his success in life.
He disclosed that he arrived in Kano in February 1993 as a young boy from Alu, Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The city, he said, had provided him with the opportunities that shaped his business career and eventual success.
Mr Abejide also called on the Yoruba community and other beneficiaries in Kano to support President Bola Tinubu and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
He assured the beneficiaries that the programme would be continued as a sustainable intervention capable of transforming businesses and lifting families out of poverty.
The philanthropist also announced that widows captured under the programme would receive direct financial support through their bank accounts, as N100 million would be disbursed to them.
He said the gesture would assist to strengthen their petty businesses, while all participating women would receive rice and six yards of printed wax fabric.
He warned beneficiaries against misusing the funds, explaining that the foundation had established monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability and minimise defaults.
Abejide also revealed that the foundation would soon extend its empowerment initiative to youths and men in business, particularly unemployed young people, to help them become self-reliant and economically productive.
On the ultra-modern palace, he donated N220 million for the project to be built in the ancient city of Kano.
In his remarks, the Oba Yoruba Kano, Dr Murtala Alimi-Otisese, said that he was born in Kano, attended schools in Kano, married and bore all his children in Kano.
He commended the governor for the infrastructure development he has been executing in the state.
The monarch urged the beneficiaries to come out en mass to vote for the President Tinubu and Gov Yusuf during the elections.
NAN
