Gov. Yusuf Reaffirms Commitment to Eradicating Substance Abuse, Receives Two APROCON Awards
Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to combating substance abuse and related social vices through sustained investment in education, effective law enforcement, professional counselling, and broad stakeholder collaboration.
The Governor’s position was conveyed by the Secretary to the State Government , Alhaji Umar F. Ibrahim, who represented him at the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual International Conference of the Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON), held at Bayero University, Kano.
The five-day international conference, which ran from 3 to 7 August 2026, brought together professional counsellors, academics, researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, security experts and development partners from across Nigeria and beyond to deliberate on this year’s theme, “Innovative Interventions for Substance Use Reduction.”
Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Alhaji Umar F. Ibrahim expressed profound appreciation to APROCON for choosing Kano as host of its landmark 10th Annual International Conference, describing the decision as a vote of confidence in the state’s commitment to educational advancement and human development.
He said the Kano State Government considers substance abuse one of the greatest threats to the future of young people, social stability and economic development, stressing that the administration has adopted proactive measures to confront the menace from multiple fronts.
“The Government of Kano State is determined to rid our society of substance abuse and all associated social vices. We believe that investment in education, youth development and professional counselling remains one of the most effective and sustainable ways of addressing this challenge,” he said.
The SSG disclosed that the state government recently inaugurated a high-powered committee headed by a renowned legal luminary to strengthen enforcement against the trafficking and abuse of illicit substances across Kano.
He noted that Kano’s strategic position as a commercial and educational centre continues to attract people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries, making it imperative for government to ensure a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors alike.
“Our Kano First Agenda places high priority on protecting our communities. Substance abuse has become a major driver of criminal activities, and we are determined to decisively confront the menace through coordinated action involving government institutions, security agencies, educational institutions, professional bodies and community leaders,” the Governor stated through the SSG.
Highlighting recent successes recorded by the administration, Alhaji Umar F. Ibrahim revealed that security agencies only last month confiscated and destroyed illicit substances worth hundreds of millions of naira.
He expressed concern over the enormous financial value attached to some of the seized drugs, revealing that among the exhibits destroyed were tablets, each reportedly sold for as much as ₦70,000, while a small quantity of hybrid Indian hemp fetched prices running into millions of naira on the illicit market.
According to him, the disturbing figures underscore the scale of the illegal drug economy and reinforce the need for sustained collaboration among governments, professional counsellors, educational institutions, parents, religious leaders and development partners to safeguard the nation’s future.
The Governor also reiterated his administration’s unprecedented investment in the education sector, describing education as the most effective long-term strategy for reducing youth restiveness, preventing criminality and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.
During the ceremony, APROCON honoured Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf with two prestigious awards in recognition of his administration’s contributions to educational development and human capital advancement.
Receiving the awards on the Governor’s behalf, the SSG expressed gratitude to the Association and announced that the Governor had dedicated the honours to the hardworking teachers, educational administrators, school managers, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, development partners and the good people of Kano State for their unwavering support towards transforming education in the state.
Alhaji Umar F. Ibrahim also congratulated the National President of APROCON, Professor Osorochi Patricia Obi, for the successful hosting of the conference and commended the Association’s continued contributions to advancing professional counselling in Nigeria.
The SSG further conveyed Governor Yusuf’s condolences to the APROCON family over the death of the Association’s Kano/Jigawa Chairman, Professor Ahmad Muhammad Garba, praying Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort his family, colleagues and associates.
In another significant development, the SSG responded positively to APROCON’s request for a parcel of land to build a permanent Kano/Jigawa State Secretariat, describing the proposal as genuine, timely and worthy of priority consideration by the state government.
The conference featured keynote presentations, technical sessions, panel discussions and research papers delivered by renowned scholars and experts, including Professor Daniel Ndhlovu of the University of Zambia; Maimuna Mohammed El-Bolly of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command; Dr. Goshwe Martina of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi; Professor Abubakar Sadiq Haruna of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria, Kano; Professor Sulaiman Airat Folashade of the Islamic University in Uganda; Professor M. M. Baba of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; and Rev. Fr. Dr. Joyzy Pius Egunjobi of Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya.
The event attracted a large gathering of dignitaries, academics, professional counsellors and delegates from within and outside Nigeria, underscoring the growing importance of counselling in addressing contemporary social and developmental challenges.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s readiness to continue partnering with professional bodies, educational institutions and development organisations in advancing quality education, mental health, youth empowerment and sustainable strategies for reducing substance abuse across the country.
Musa Tanko Muhammad
Press Secretary,
Office of the Secretary to the State Government,
Kano State.
6 August 2026
