News
Kano this morning: Wednesday 19.12.18
By Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Top story: PDP candidate to know fate January 14 – Abba Kabir Yusuf, the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming 2019 governorship election in Kano State, will know his fate as court slated January 14 to pass judgement on his disputed candidature.
On October 2, Abba Yusuf, a protégé of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, emerged winner of the PDP primaries after polling 2,421 votes to defeat Jafar Sani-Bello, who got 1,258 votes.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Jafar Sani-Bello dragged Abba Yusuf to Kano High Court 3, seeking to be declared the governorship candidate of the party as the latter has failed to inform his ward secretary of his intention to rejoin the party, thereby contravening the PDP constitution.
The presiding judge A.T. Badamasi adjourned the case till January 14 for judgement.
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Pensioners seek increase of minimum pension rate – Pensioners in Kano have called for an increase in the minimum pension payment in the state.
This call is coming as Kano state government releases N2 billion for the payment of pension arrears and gratuity to 1,313 pensioners for the period covering November 2015 to June 2017.
A pensioner who spoke to RAHMA RADIO said he receives N4,732 monthly to take care of his family including 14 children, two of whom have been dismissed from school over his inability to pay their fees.
He therefore calls for an increase of the minimum pension payment from N5,000 to N35,000 monthly.
On its part, the Nigeria Labor Congress in Kano says it is committed to advocating for an increase in pension rates as soon as minimum wage is reviewed upward.
Chairman of the Council, Kabiru Ado Minjibir says there is an indexing provision in the Kano state pensions law, meaning that the government is expected to increase pension rates whenever wages are increased.
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Students cry out for scholarship payment – Students in the Kano state owned Yusuf Maitama Sule University have called on the government to pay their scholarship allowances for the 2015/16 session.
President of the Students Union Government Ahmad Yusuf Godiya said the students have been screened and received their award letters three months ago.
He added that the Scholarship Board has promised to tell pay the scholarship allowances by November/December this year.
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Court sentences intending kidnapper to jail – A Kano resident Kabiru Ibrahim has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to a charge of attempting to kidnap his uncle for ransom.
Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa of court number 36 sentenced Kabiru Ibrahim to 720 days in prison without an option of fine and an additional one-year imprisonment or a fine of N30,000.
DALA FM reports that the convict pleaded guilty to an attempt to kidnap his uncle for a ransom of N1 million in connivance with an accomplice Dahiru Abdullahi who pleaded not guilty.
The court therefore directs prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Abdurrazak Tsanyawa to present witnesses for the trial of the alleged accomplice.
The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Kano State Chapter, heartily congratulates Yusuf Ibrahim Sharada on his well-deserved elevation from Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT to Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Economy.
This strategic appointment reflects the Kano State Government’s commitment to leveraging digital innovation to drive economic growth, create jobs, and enhance public service delivery across the state.
In his new role, Sharada will lead key aspects of the state’s digital transformation agenda, including policy formulation, digital infrastructure development, innovation ecosystems, and ICT-driven governance frameworks.
His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, commended Hon. Sharada for his unwavering dedication and the remarkable impact of his service in his previous capacity.
“Ibrahim Yusuf Sharada has demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and technical expertise in advancing the state’s digital initiatives. His elevation is both a recognition of his performance and a strategic investment in the future of Kano’s digital economy,” the Governor stated.
Notably, Hon. Sharada has also been a committed and impactful member of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS). Over the years, he has actively contributed to various NCS programmes, policy dialogues, and professional development initiatives within the Kano Chapter and beyond. His engagement has consistently reflected a passion for using technology as a tool for inclusive development, youth empowerment, and public sector innovation.
Hon. Sharada brings with him a wealth of experience in technology policy, digital capacity-building, and youth empowerment. Under his leadership, the state is expected to deepen collaboration with key technology stakeholders, expand access to digital skills development, and implement innovative solutions that will enhance economic resilience and inclusion.
In his remarks, Hon. Sharada expressed profound appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in him.
“I am deeply honoured by this opportunity to serve at a higher capacity. Together, we will continue building a digitally inclusive Kano where innovation fuels prosperity for all,” he said.
This elevation marks a significant step forward in Kano’s journey toward becoming a leading hub of digital excellence in Northern Nigeria.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative
for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Kano, Sunday commenced the assessment of 100 girls with cognitive and development disabilities in Government Grls Secondary School Zawaciki, Kumbotso local gernment area.
The move was to appropriately place the students identified into the pilot 35 inclusive education schools under AGILE Project.
Ibrahim said the Social Support Officer (SSO) in the AGILE Project Kano Malam Yakubu Muhammad, while addressing the students and their teachers, said the assessment was to provide school material support including uniforms, notebooks, stationery, backpacks, and any specialized learning aids tailored to individual needs.
He said at the end of the assessment AGILE Project will develop Individualized Support Plans (ISPs) outlining necessary accommodations, assistive devices and instructional strategies.
Also speaking the lead consultant Dr Samira Ali said they have so far identified students with cognitive and physical disabilities among the students assessed.
Some of the disabilities identified according to her include cerebral palsy, austism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, behavior maladjustment and speech defect.
Also commenting the principal of Government Girls Secondary School Panshekara who doubles as All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Hauwa Hussain commended AGILE for this intervention which she said will go a long way in ensuring inclusive education.
The assessment was conducted under Environmental and Social Safeguard Unit of AGILE Project, Kano.
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Executive Council, chaired by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a comprehensive package of developmental projects and interventions valued at over ₦69 billion, targeting critical sectors including infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy, and humanitarian support.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Thursday.
During its 29th meeting held on Wednesday, July 9th 2025, the Council granted landmark approvals aimed at improving service delivery and raising the living standard of citizens.
Among the biggest investments is the expansion of Katsina Road, covering the stretch from Baban Gwari Roundabout to Mil Tara, which includes the construction of five reinforced concrete pedestrian bridges at a cost of ₦24.7 billion.
Additionally, the Council approved the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of RMK Flyover, IBB Road, Kofar Mazugal Junction, and Katsina Road with a budget of ₦7.8 billion, and the construction of 10 new concrete pedestrian bridges at strategic locations, valued at ₦3.8 billion.
In the education sector, approvals include the renovation of 13 closed boarding schools earlier shut down by the previous administration at ₦3 billion.
The Council also approved general renovation of dilapidated structures in Government Technical College Dambatta, Government Technical College Ungogo, Government Girls Secondary School Balan Tsanyawa, and Government Secondary School Guringawa, totaling over ₦1.2 billion.
Other approvals include the establishment of a new primary school in Gishiri-Wuya community, Warawa LGA, at ₦190 million, renovation of the French and Chinese Bilingual Colleges in Kwankwaso at ₦158 million and ₦349 million, respectively, the conduct of 2025 internal examinations (BECE/BEICE & SSQE/SAISQE) at ₦300 million, and the settlement of outstanding boarding school feeding liabilities for three weeks at ₦718 million.
The health sector interventions approved by the Council include counterpart funding of ₦180 million for the Free Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health programme, ₦240 million for the procurement of a brand-new Toyota Coaster bus for the School of Health Technology, Bebeji, ₦107 million for operational needs of the Kano Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospital (KUSH), and ₦344 million as counterpart funding for routine immunization for the second quarter of 2025.
The Governor, during the session, reiterated his administration’s resolve to turn Kano into a hub of modern infrastructure, inclusive development, and educational excellence.
Computer Society congratulates Sharada on his elevation to Special Adviser on Digital Economy
AGILE launches assessment for 100 girls with dissabilities in Kano
Kano Govt approves over ₦69b on transform infrastructure, education
AGILE Project increases girls’ education grant to N60,000 in Kano
Gov Yusuf Clears N22 Billion from N48 Billion Backlog of Retirees’ Gratuities and Death Benefits
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