Fifty nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) has supported the Kano state decision to profile all NGOs, Civil Society Organizations (CBOs) and other selfhelp groups operating in the state.
The NGOs under the umbrella of Kano Patriotic Civil Organizations (KPCC) in a letter addressed to the executive governor of Kano state Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and signed by Ibrahim Hassan Gama and Mustapha Muhammad Chiroma through the secretary to the state government expressed their full endorsement of the state government initiative to establish a specialized profiling committee.
The statement reads “In a letter addressed to His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State, through the Secretary to the State Government, fifty prominent Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), collectively represented by the Kano Patriotic Civil Organizations, have expressed their full endorsement of the Kano State Government’s initiative to establish a specialized profiling committee. This committee will be responsible to create a database for all NGOs, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating within the state.
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The creation of this committee comes in response to growing concerns regarding the activities of certain NGOs, some of which have been suspected of engaging in practices that could undermine the state’s security, cultural values, religious practices and sustainable development efforts.
Kano State, recognized for its rapid expansion and increasing international partnerships, has seen a growing presence of NGOs working across diverse sectors, including education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. However, recent reports have raised alarms over the involvement of certain organizations in controversial activities. A notable example is the Women Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment and Equality (WISE), which faced public backlash for promoting values that contradict the cultural and religious norms of Kano State.
In light of these concerns, and to ensure that NGOs continue to contribute positively to the state’s growth, the Kano State Government has established the NGOs and CBOs Profiling Committee, under the able leadership of Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, a reputable civil society figure in the country.
The committee will carefully review the activities, funding sources, and operational practices of NGOs and CBOs to identify and address any potential involvement in illicit activities, ensuring that all organizations align with the state’s cultural and religious values.
The committee will be chaired by Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who doubles as the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, will undertake a comprehensive profiling of those organizations working in the State, to identify the genuine ones and help in safeguarding the state from any threats, including those potentially linked to terrorism. Recent allegations concerning USAID-funded NGOs, particularly regarding their involvement in suspicious activities, further highlight the necessity of this initiative. Through profiling, the committee will ensure that only those organizations positively contributing to Kano’s development are supported, while swiftly identifying and addressing any harmful practices.
This proactive approach is modeled after the successful implementation of a similar initiative in Borno State in 2019. There, the Borno State Commission for Social Development, Humanitarian Affairs, and Relief (BACSDAHR) was established to ensure that NGOs operated in alignment with the state’s strategic development priorities. The Borno model has proven effective in enhancing transparency, accountability, and alignment with state development goals.
The collective endorsement of this initiative by fifty leading NGOs underscores a shared commitment to preserving the integrity, security, and sustainability of Kano as a conducive environment for development. These organizations have committed to cooperating fully with the profiling committee and maintaining transparency in their operations.
The Kano State Government calls upon the committee to execute its duties with diligence, fairness, and thoroughness, ensuring that legitimate NGOs that have consistently supported the state’s development are protected. This initiative is not intended to hinder the work of reputable organizations but to ensure that only those making a positive, meaningful impact on Kano’s growth are permitted to operate.
Long Live the Kano State Government.