Kano Intellectuals Forum Inaugurated to Harness Academic Expertise — Waiya

The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum with a charge to academics and intellectuals to deploy their knowledge and expertise toward addressing socioeconomic challenges in the state.

Waiya gave the charge during the inauguration of the forum at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, stressing that the responsibility of academic institutions goes beyond producing graduates and issuing certificates.

He said tertiary institutions had important roles to play in generating knowledge, conducting evidence-based research and developing practical solutions to challenges confronting society.

The commissioner urged members of the forum to contribute to the development of the state by providing research-based advice, policy recommendations and technical support to government.

Waiya said the forum would strengthen collaboration between the academic community and government in areas including education, economic development, social welfare, innovation and human capital development.

He said the administration of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf had demonstrated commitment to placing the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of its development agenda through the Kano First Agenda.

He urged members of the forum to develop practical and implementable recommendations that could assist government in formulating policies and programmes for sustainable socioeconomic and political development.

Earlier, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education, Dr Kabiru Gwarzo, said the forum was designed to ensure broad and inclusive representation of the academic community across tertiary institutions in the state.

Gwarzo said each tertiary institution would have four representatives drawn from academic and non-academic staff, students and women to ensure diverse perspectives and expertise.

Also speaking, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr Ali Tamasi, said tertiary institutions in Kano were endowed with knowledgeable and experienced professionals whose expertise could be deployed to address local development challenges.

Tamasi said the forum would provide a structured platform for engaging intellectuals in policy formulation, education, research and socioeconomic development, while strengthening collaboration between government and tertiary institutions.

He added that the forum would also focus on disseminating information on government achievements in tertiary institutions to enable members of the academic community and the wider public appreciate investments in the sector.

He expressed optimism that the initiative would promote greater utilisation of academic research and professional expertise in addressing developmental challenges in Kano State.