Elder statesman, Tanko Yakasai, has challenged the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and other First Class traditional rulers in the north to contribute 5 percent of their consolidated federal allocation to address the educational backwardness of the region.
Yakasai said this on Monday in Kano during a chat with the media against the backdrop of recent comments by Sanusi, blaming the abhorrence of Western education in the name of practicing Islam for the poverty in the northern part of Nigeria
“The traditional Institutions, who are receiving substantial amount of money from the public coffers need to come in here to address the problems of backwardness in terms of Western Education,” Yakassai said.
At present, Nigerian constitution guarantees First Class traditional rulers 5 percent from the total revenue accrued to local government areas within their jurisdiction.
Yakasai who explained why the traditional institutions in the north must be involved in funding education stressed that: “5 % that is dedicated to Traditional Councils, Emirate Council, and what have you are not subject to Appropriation by Federal or State legislature.
“They are deducted from source and given to the Traditional Institutions. And they are using it for their needs.”
“Such funds are not appropriated by the relevant authority (the legislature). And therefore they are not subject to audit or controlled by the accountants general of the State. ”
Yakassai also called for a legislation that would compel the traditional rulers to make the contribution, if they are not willing to freely do so.
The Elder statesman said: “I want to call for legislation to be made that monies allocated to Traditional Councils (Emirate Council) should be regulated. Although, it is their own money but the proposed law would make it mandatory for them to set aside 5 percent for educational development in Northern Nigeria.
“Such a law would be helpful to Nigerian, it would help the socioeconomics development of the country and as well solve problem of lapses (imbalance) in the overall social aspect of our life.”
To actualise the dream, Yakasai appealed to, “the 19 States House of Assembly in the northern region through the collaboration of the state Government to set the ball rolling in the overall interest of our people.”
