The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite, has described Kano as an ancient city where gold was transformed into jewelry and artifacts of beauty and adornment in ancient times.
He made the assertion at the government house, Kano, during a courtesy visit to the Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, before he proceeded to the formal launch of ‘Kano Gold Durbar’ held at Ado Bayero Mall in the state capital.
In a statement, the minister said he came in the company of Ministry of Mines and Steel Development officials to celebrate Kano Gold, stressing that empirical evidence showed that Nigeria is blessed with abundant mineral resources, which are waiting for investors to explore.
The minister disclosed that ‘Kano Gold Durbar’ was a programme designed as a private sector initiative for investment promotion to celebrate Kano being a city where conventional business transactions in precious stones, especially, gold were carried out.
He reiterated that the federal government was passionate on the diversification of the economy through mining and exploration of mineral resources other than oil and gas.
In his response, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who represented the governor, said the state would be the gold hub of Nigeria, adding that the state would partner with the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, not only in gold mining but in other mineral exploration activities to create millions of jobs for the teaming unemployed youths.
The governor assured the minister that the state was ready to cooperate with his ministry to ensure that the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Development Initiative (PAGMI) achieve the desired success.
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