Story from Shafa’atu DAUDA, Kano
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state was impressed by the constant effort and performance of Kano residents at the concluded New York’s University GovLab Multi-City Challenge Africa (MCC), signed in a letter by the resident representative of the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Mohammed Yahaya.
It reads “On behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria, it is with great honour that I congratulate you and the residents of Kano state on the huge success achieved in the UNDP – New York University GovLab Multi-City Challenge Africa (MCC).”
Kano was the only city from Nigeria alongside Accra from Ghana, Kampala from Uganda, Mutare from Zimbabwe and Bahir Dar from Ethiopia that was slated after series of examination and screening. But participants in offering innovative solutions came from across all the countries of the world.
The programme is a “process by which cities facing common problems provide expertise from residents to discover, implement and innovate solutions through training and coaching, thereby increasing connectivity within and between communities.”
Kano participated in two topics, reducing waste generation and improving waste management, building urban resilience in slums and informal settlements.
The letter reminded the governor that, the programme demanded residents to submit, what it termed “Innovative Solutions” to three complex urban challenges.
When submissions were collected the letter said, “Under your supportive leadership, Kano truly showcased its talent, innovation and dedication in submitting over 50 dynamic ideas.
“After extensive evaluation and review by the general public, a multidisciplinary and international team of experts, as well as city councils, the winning proposals have been selected. I am delighted and proud to share with you that the overall winning solutions in the area of waste management and reduction came from Kano.
“In addition, solutions from Kano were chosen as winners, this huge accomplishment is a remarkable moment for not only Kano but Nigeria as a nation and speaks to the innovation and incredible potential the country possesses,” it read.
In the letter, UNDP also recognised the complementary effort of Habib Yahaya Hotoro, from the office of the Special Adviser, and Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, who performs under the custody and good supervision of the governor.
“I also want to recognise the outstanding collaboration between Kano state and UNDP, and want to specifically acknowledge the tremendous support of the office of the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals. It is because of your team’s relentless effort and coordination that helped to enable this milestone,” it read.
