News
Cancer Centre: Ganduje awards N2.4 billion contract to APC Bichi candidate
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano state government has awarded a N2.4 billion contract for construction of cancer center at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital.
The contract is awarde to Bico Nigeria limited, owned by Abubakar Kabir, APC candidate for Bichi federal constituency in the forthcoming 2019 election.
The center is said to be the first of its kind in any public hospital in Nigeria.
The project is coming on the heels of a visit to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia, one of the world’s leading cancer research, education and treatment centers, by Gov. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje recently.
Speaking when he inspected the proposed project site, Ganduje said that the centre “would join the league of the MacCallum Center, as one of the few cancer treatment facilities in the world which has a fully integrated clinical and laboratory program flanking a hospital”.
He said Kano state has the highest number of cancer patients in Nigeria due to its high population.
Ganduje said the center will save the lives of cancer patients in Kano as they are currently forced to go to Abuja or even further afield for treatment.
“With this center at Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, patients can get specialized and cheap cancer diagnosis and treatment, in line with WHO recommendation,” he added.
In his remarks, Abubakar Kabir, the Chief Executive officer of Bico Nigera Limited, and APC candidate for Bichi federal constituency said the work would be carried out in collaboration with a multinational firm, Varian Medical Systems.
He added that the project would be completed within 36 weeks from the date of foundation laying.
“Already our three foreign consultants are coming next week so from the day we mobilize to site, it will take us not more than 36 weeks to complete the work.
“This is a big project that will create at least 150 jobs for medical and allied professionals,” he said.
Recent statistics released by WHO indicate that over 100, 000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, and about 80, 000 die from the disease, averaging 240 daily or 10 Nigerians hourly, dying from cancer.
Medical experts say that the Nigerian cancer ratio of 4 in 5 is one of the worst in the world.
Headlines
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.

Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Headlines
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Headlines
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
