The Kano State Government says it will activate and support 250 cooperative groups across the state as an empowerment strategy.

Alhaji Jamilu Abbas-Kiru, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Cooperative Groups to Gov. Kabiru Yusuf, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday.

He said: “Gov. Abba Yusuf has a comprehensive socio-economic development plan for our dear Kano State.

“He is determined to stimulate and enhance commerce and industrialisation, energy, security as well as climate change initiatives in the state.

“The administration has equally resolved to deliver quality and accessible healthcare services, functional education, rural development and water supply.”

The aide explained that various cooperative societies covering different trades, including agriculture, commerce, handicrafts, artisans and transportation, would be selected, trained and empowered across the state.

According to him, the empowerment strategy is in line with the current digitalisation of global economic activities.

“Majority of our people are in rural areas and lack adequate knowledge and benefits of cooperativism. They rarely belong to or form cooperative societies.

“They are also deficient in modern Information Communication Technology (ICT) and how it is driving socio-economic activities,” Abbas-Kiru, also National President of the Market and Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN), said.

He, therefore, disclosed that the government would help establish and empower such cooperative groups as well as link the members up with finance and banking institutions to enable them to access intervention funds and ease their businesses.

Kano govt to activate, support 250 cooperative groups