By Bashir Mohammed
Kano
Marvelled at the mammoth crowd that came to receive him in Kano state yesterday, a visibly elated President Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed confidence that he would win the 2019 presidential election, even if the contest is to hold tomorrow.
The residents came out in their numbers to welcome him at the airport, lining the major streets in the metropolis.
“I am overwhelmed by the sea of people I see,” Buhari said on arrival during his two-day official visit to the state.
“I am overwhelmed by the sea of people I see. And by what I see today, if elections are contested, I will no doubt win it. I know Kano people are aware of the tremendous job we did on security and agriculture,” he said.
On arrival, President Buhari was received at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, members of the State Executive Council, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, traditional rulers, and members of the National Assembly from the state, as well as prominent politicians, among others.
Speaking during the visit, the president described the stability of the North and Nigeria as paramount, expressing his determination to make Nigeria a peaceful country.
Reminiscing on his actions as Head of State, he said, “I did so with a lot of youthful exuberance; and I was arrested and detained for years.”
The president also described Ganduje, the host governor, as “an epitome of exemplary leadership and a true symbol of service delivery” in the present democratic dispensation.
Commissioning the multi-million naira Giginyu Hospital in Kano yesterday, Buhari said, the establishment of the gigantic hospital would be of immense benefit to people of the state, noting that what was expected of a politician like a governor, was service to humanity and the ability to live above board.
The president said world over, no democratic system could ever be feasible and realistic without the provision of basic social infrastructure like health.
From the empirical evidence he had seen on ground, Buhari concluded the governor had proven his worth as one elected to serve the people.
He assured that his administration would be consistent in coming up with programmes and policies aimed at improving the people’s lot, stressing that no responsible leader worth his name could ever take solace in being associated with the failure to ensure all-encompassing service delivery.
Ganduje lauds Buhari
Speaking earlier, Governor Ganduje said his administration had placed high premium on making the health sector robust and vibrant, at the time the huge population of Kano were in dire need of juicy health package to confront the health challenges bedevilling them.
He stressed that the Giginyu Paediatric Hospital was named after President Buhari, having recognised his sterling leadership qualities and his mantra of probity, accountability and transparency in governance, and making health care delivery his major cardinal thrust that would never be relegated to the background.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, said the governor’s scorecard on health was marvellous, explaining that building and equipping the two high profile hospitals was a significant milestone in the revolutionary strides effected to make the health sector in the state formidable and vibrant.
President Buhari also visited the Kurmawa Central Prison in Kano metropolis, where he granted amnesty to 500 inmates serving various prison terms, in addition to inspecting the on-going renovation and expansion works.
The president also visited the Emir of Kano at his palace, during which he commended the monarch and the Kano Emirate Council for playing tremendous roles in his administration.
Today, the President will inspect a rice mill, Fullmark Rice Mill Company at Kwanar Gunduwawa, and Gezawa Oil Mill, the largest oil mill in Africa at Tokarawa Industrial Estate both on Hadeja Road.
President Buhari is also expected to meet with Ulamas and hold an interactive session with community leaders and politicians before returning to Abuja.
