Headlines
Why I’m yet to appoint Commissioners – Ganduje
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Kano state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje says he is yet to form a cabinet because he is trying to compensate all the different parties and groups that supported his second term bid.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Ganduje, is yet to form a cabinet more than four months after taking office.
It could be recalled that the governor had formed a cabinet within three weeks of his first tenure in office.
However, Mr Ganduje said the process of nominating commissioners in his second term is taking a longer time because of the different forces that supported him during the 2019 election.
In an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA), Mr Ganduje said he will soon announce the names of prospective commissioners.
“Some of my former commissioners will be re-nominated while others will not.
However, those that are not returning as commissioners will still be accommodated in the government.” He said.
Constitutional Provision
The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has mandated governors to nominate commissioners, who shall be screened and confirmed by the states Houses of Assembly.
Section 193 (2) provided for regular meetings of governors and deputy governors with their commissioners for the purposes of:
“(a) determining the general direction of the policies of the Government of the state;
“(b) co-ordinating the activities of the Governor, the Deputy Governor and the Commissioners of the Government of the State in the discharge of their executive responsibilities, and;
“(c) advising the Governor generally in the discharge of his executive functions, other than those functions with respect to which he is required by this Constitution to seek the advice or act on the recommendation of any other person or body.”
However, the constitution did not specify a time frame for governors to ensure the establishment of a cabinet.
Political Consideration
Following the 2019 elections, only 10 out of the 36 governors in Nigeria have so far formed cabinets in their states.
In Kano, political considerations have made it difficult for the governor to form a cabinet.
In 2015, Mr Ganduje ran for election as a candidate of the Kwankwasiyya group within the APC.
It was therefore easy for the group to agree on their nominees for commissioners even before Mr Ganduje took the oath of office.
However in 2019, running as the head of his own Gandujiyya faction, Mr Ganduje needed the support of other political blocs in order to win against the Kwankwasiyya candidate after the group decamped to the opposition PDP.
Notable politicians who supported Mr Ganduje’s ambition include current senator and former governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, former deputy governor, Hafiz Abubakar and a host of disgruntled Kwankwasiyya and PDP members who decamped in protest against the alleged high-handedness of the group leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Headlines
Education Renaissance: Governor Yusuf to Boost Learning and Safety in Kano’s Public Schools
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Kano’s public schools, with a particular focus on upgrading infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to Governor’s College on Thursday, Governor Yusuf inspected newly delivered furniture and instructional materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the state, reversing the deteriorating state of the education sector.
The Governor was warmly received by enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff at the college, where he promised swift reforms aimed at strengthening the academic experience and preparing students for a bright future.
He also expressed pride in the improvements made at the school and announced plans to further enhance the capacity of the teaching staff.
Governor Yusuf revealed that his administration is set to construct a pedestrian bridge near the College, along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, to ensure student safety and prevent accidents.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s determination to tackle the challenges facing the education sector, promising that the declared state of emergency in education would result in significant progress and the restoration of Kano’s educational prestige.
Headlines
KSCHMA coverage increased by 37% in 15 months – E.S
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Headlines
EU partners UNICEF to enhance school safety, quality education in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.