Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, has inaugurated critical infrastructure and projects at Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, aimed at optimising teaching facilities and stimulating efficiency.

The capital-intensive project covers the construction of 18 new structures, renovation of 15 additional facilities for the transformation of the Unity School into a National Centre of Excellence.

The projects include a new students’ hostel, ICT centre, indoor sports complex, skills acquisition centre, clinic, staff accommodation, Corper’s Lounge, as well as renovation, remodelling and upgrading of other facilities in the college.

Speaking at the groundbreaking yesterday in Kano, Ahmad explained that the N8.5 billion worth project is conceptualised under the land swap component of the Public Private Partnership model.

The minister disclosed that the agreement with the investor includes the construction of the education and health facilities in the college, while 10 hectares of land would be exchanged in lieu.

She submitted that the choice of the PPP model was considered by the Federal Government to bridge the infrastructure deficit in the unity schools.

According to the minister, considering the competing demands across the sectors of the economy amid limited resources, the government considered the land swap agreement through the PPP model as a vital alternative to address the infrastructure deficits in the unity schools.

Managing Director of an agro-allied company, Muzadiq Talle, revealed that the investors are investing about N8.5 billion to upgrade the education facility while supporting the Federal Government to improve critical assets.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Commissioner for Land, Abduljabbar Garko, called for more stakeholders’ engagement with internal and external publics to clear growing doubts on the rationale behind the project.

MEANWHILE, a 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has welcomed the immediate past deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Gwarzo, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued via his X handle yesterday, Kwankwaso congratulated Gwarzo, saying the move is a significant boost to the party.

The former deputy governor formally joined the opposition coalition on Sunday.

The development comes shortly after Kwankwaso himself joined the ADC, a move that has triggered a wave of realignments and defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).