Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State is facing scrutiny over his red goat empowerment program, which has sparked widespread debate among citizens and analysts.
Nigerian investigative journalist Jaafar Jaafar has criticized the program, describing it as a misplaced priority. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Jaafar compared it to a similar pledge made by Isah Ashiru, the Kaduna State PDP governorship candidate.
“We all laughed, mocked, and jeered at the Kaduna PDP governorship candidate Isah Ashiru’s plan to boost red goat production if elected governor of Kaduna State. Therefore, I’d be a hypocrite if I kept quiet about Governor Yusuf’s red goat empowerment initiative,” Jaafar wrote.
He warned that a single controversial decision could overshadow other achievements. “A single controversial decision can blur public perception of a politician’s other accomplishments, thereby becoming a poignant epoch that defines their entire political career,” he said.
Jaafar urged the governor to adopt policies that align with modern realities, referencing technological advancements as benchmarks for progressive governance.
“Governor Yusuf should remember that we are in the 21st century, the era that has birthed AI-driven technologies, compact drones, reusable rockets, big data, driverless cars, blockchain technology, and gene editing for enhanced crop production, among others,” he stated.
Criticizing the governor’s personal involvement in the program, Jaafar suggested that such activities should be delegated to local government authorities. “With local government autonomy in effect, livestock empowerment and wheelbarrow distribution should be left to local government chairmen to manage,” he added.
He also emphasized the importance of accountability. “We have a duty to tell Governor Yusuf the truth because we assured the people that he would be different,” Jaafar said.
Kano Times reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf launched the second phase of the women’s empowerment initiative under the Livestock Fattening Programme of the Kano Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP).
The program, valued at N2.3 billion, aims to reduce poverty and encourage economic independence among women across the state.
Speaking at the event, Governor Yusuf stated, “This initiative demonstrates our resolve to empower vulnerable groups, particularly women and youth, and to drive economic growth from the grassroots.”
Under this phase, 7,158 goats have been distributed to 2,386 women. The governor also announced plans to distribute 1,342 cows and 1,822 rams to women and youth in subsequent phases.
