Protest: Arewa youths appeal to Tinubu against relocation of damaged NCC’s ICT Centre in Kano

*The Arewa Youth Assembly, also called ‘Majalisar Matasan Arewa’, appeals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to not relocate the Nigerian Communications Commission’s Digital Industrial Park, in Kano State, which protesters burnt and looted during the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protest, noting that relocating the ICT Centre will hinder the North-West region’s in digital innovation

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Concerned about the weighty implications of the recent burning and looting of equipment at the digital entrepreneurial facility as regards “accessibility and connectivity” among other states of the North-West region, the Arewa Youth Assembly has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to not relocate the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Digital Industrial Park (DIP), which rampaging #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters stormed, damaged, and looted August 1, 2024, in Kano State.

Dr. Aliyu Mohammed, President of Arewa Youth Assembly, and Dr. Hafiz Garba, Secretary of the youth assembly, called the “Majalisar Matasan Arewa”, which is said to be largest assembly of youth groups in Northern Nigeria, in a joint statement, noted Kano State deserves to have the promising but destroyed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) project, “considering its population size, electoral value and strategic location.”

Presudent Bola Ahmed Tinubu (l) and Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, in the State House, Abuja, FCT

ConsumerConnect had reported the protesters in their hundreds Thursday, August 1, had torched a section of the completed but yet-to-be-commissioned Digital Industrial Park (DIP) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), located along State Road, in Kano.

The NCC has designed the ICT park to support the country’s technical talent accelerator programme, tagged 3MTT.

The ICT Centre, which was earlier slated for official commissioning Wednesday, August 7 in the state for the use of the entire North-West region of Nigeria was worth billions of Naira.

Salma Dogo, Kano State Commissioner of Police, in a telephone interview last Thursday had affirmed the protesters set ablaze the generator house, vandalised the DIP office complex, and looted several digital equipment and other property.

Narrating the scenario at the DIP facility last Thursday, in Kano, eye-witnesses described scenes at the ICT centre as “chaotic”, as protesters were seen carting away desktop computers, chairs, keyboards, and other valuable installed appliances in the before setting the Park on fire, according to report.

Implications of relocating DIP Kano on North-West’s progress in digital innovation ─Arewa youths

The Arewa Youth Assembly has kicked against increasing calls for the relocation of the NCC’s Digital Industrial Park from Kano State to Kebbi State.

Both Dr. Mohammed and Dr. Garba, in the joint statement, dismissed a purported move to relocate the digital entrepreneurship facility from Kano as a “calculated deception meant to mislead the good people of Kebbi State.”

The Assembly further stated: “While we acknowledge the call for increased investment in Kebbi State as valid and a welcome development, it is however, crucial to consider several factors before thinking on some significant projects undertaking.

“Relocating the park to any other state would not only increase additional costs but also cause delays, hindering the region’s progress in digital innovation.

“It is more realistic to make renovation on the existing foundation in Kano, than starting the project all over again somewhere.”

The Arewa youth groups stated: “It is important to note, necessary infrastructure for the striving of investments such as Digital Innovation Park is critical, and therefore situating the facility in Kano was not a coincidence but an action which was carefully well thought and executed.”

According to the youths, Kano State holds historical and strategic importance as a commercial hub of Northern Nigeria.

The statement also noted: “With established transportation networks, including a fully functional international airport and major road links, Kano State is, therefore, well-positioned to host the Digital Industrial Park.

“The location of Kano State, ensures accessibility and connectivity amongst all other States of the North West, which are critical to a successful operationalisation of such an initiative.”

Appeal to Tinubu to stay action on likely relocation of ICT Centre

The Arewa Youth Assembly, therefore, appealed to “President Bola Tinubu to direct the commencement of renovation work, at the NCC Digital Centre, in Kano.

“Kano State deserves to have this project, considering its population size, electoral value and strategic location.”

The youths as well said: “The attention of Northern Youth Assembly (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) has been drawn to the recent request by some hired group of individuals, urging the President to relocate Kano’s Digital Innovation Park to Kebbi State, a development which has degenerated to conversation on regional development and equity among Northern Nigerian States.

“Although, it is essential to ensure that all states in Nigeria, including those from the Northern Nigeria receive equitable development opportunities, Kano’s existing infrastructure, human resources, and strategic location make it an ideal hub for a project such as the Digital Innovation Park.”

They further advocated that “this facility is strategically situated, and can effectively serve the entire Northern region, fostering and supporting innovation and economic growth, not only for Kano State but as well for the entire Northern states.

“Kebbi State, is equally in the position to benefit from some laudable projects which are so deserving and peculiar to the state, such as investment in rice farming, which the previous Government provided so much to the state more than other states in the North.”

The Arewa Youth Assembly added: “It is against this backdrop, that we are of the opinion that, thinking about relocating the NCC Digital Centre from Kano to Kebbi State, would be a wrong decision to take.”

Sad digital entrepreneurship facility was set ablaze, looted by protesters: Minister Tijani

Moments after the arson August 1, at the DIP in Kano State, Dr. ’Bosun Tijani, Honourable Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, expressed dismay over the destruction of the Digital Innovation Park.

Dr. Tijani, via his verified social media account, lamented the incident, as he stated: “Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park, in Kano, slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters.”

Likewise, Comrade Mustapha Alkali, representing some Arewa youth groups, had said in a statement, that criminal elements hijacked the hitherto peaceful protest, as they took the opportunity to wreak havoc on several communities in the North.

The groups also condemned the violence, arson, and criminal activities that took place during the protests, stating that they were unacceptable and threatened the fabric of society.

The actions of those behind the protests, Comrade Alkali stated, are a clear indication that they want to destroy the North.

They also claimed the rioters “have no regard for our values, our culture, and our way of life”, and have already “caused significant economic losses to the people, and we cannot afford to continue on this path.”

He stated: “After careful assessment of the events that unfolded on August 1 during the protests against the Federal Government, we have resolved to place a ban on all forms of protest in Northern Nigeria for the next year.

“This decision was not taken lightly, but it has become necessary to protect the interests and well-being of our people,” stated he.

Alkali also asserted: “The events of August 1 were a clear indication that those behind the protests had ulterior motives that were detrimental to the North.

“The level of violence, arson, and criminal activities that took place during the protests were unprecedented and unacceptable.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the destruction of property, the attack on innocent citizens, and the disruption of peace and order in our region. These actions are not only unhelpful but also threaten the very fabric of our society.”

The groups stated: “The protests were characterised by wanton destruction of public and private properties, looting, and maiming of innocent citizens. This is not what we expect from a peaceful protest.”

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