On February 5th, 2024, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State held a meeting with the business community and other stakeholders at the Kano State Government House.
He acknowledged the widespread hardship faced by people stating that many families were struggling to afford even a single measure of rice.
The Governor noted the soaring prices of essential food items, with locally produced rice priced at N65,000, maize at N52,000, millet at N56,000, and groundnut oil at N4,500.
The governor stated that, “All major business people from Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and others have made Kano their home. But today all these have changed. The patronage has been reduced.
“In the past, there were a lot of employment opportunities for people from Kano with the available industries which had provided a livelihood for many. All of these are no more. This has led youths into drug abuse, kidnapping, and banditry.
“People are facing hardship such that a measure of rice cannot be afforded by a lot of families. Locally produced rice is now N65,000, maize is N52,000, millet N56,000, and groundnut oil is N4,500. Where will the people place themselves and what will the salary earner survive on?”
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed his plan to hold a meeting with Nigeria’s President, Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to address the hunger prevalent among Kano State residents.
He called on the Federal Government to prioritize extending assistance to Kano State, considering its status as the most populous state in the nation.