Headlines
Why we arrested social media activist Galadanci–Kano Police
By Nazifi Dawud
The Kano state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Basheer Galadanci, a social media activist over alleged defamation, public incitement against the police force, insulting innocent persons and exposing operations of the command.
In a statement, accompanied by a video clip on Monday, spokesman of the command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said the 28-year-old resident of Sheka quarters in Kumbotso local government area of Kano state, was using Facebook to malign the police force and its personnel.
“Basheer was arrested over defamation, insults, inciting members of the public against the police and harassing the police command through Facebook,” he said.
DSP Kiyawa said Mr Galadanci has since been arraigned before a court, adding that the suspect has admitted to committing the offenses.
“We will investigate the issue to uncover other persons to ensure they are also arrested and brought to justice”.
“We cannot allow people to use social networks at this time that Kano is enjoying peace to defame, malign, insult, incite members of the public or cause disorder in the state. If anyone is caught doing this, that person would be promptly arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
In the video clip that accompanied Mr Kiyawa’s statement, Basheer, who spoke in Hausa said he was arrested for defaming the Kano Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) without any reason.
“I was arrested for making defamatory comments on Facebook against DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who is innocent and did not do anything wrong to me,” he said.
When asked about his sponsors, Mr Basheer alleged that he was working for Mr Kiyawa’s predecessor, Magaji Musa Majia, a superintendent of police (SP) who was transferred out of the state last year.
“I usually post comments on Facebook on behalf of (Magaji) Majia. He was not paying me for every writeup but from time to time, he rewards me with money ranging from N2,000 to N3,000,” he confessed.
Mr Basheer said he also defamed the character of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, adding that he was fed with information by some police personnel at the Kano command who he identified as Abdullahi and Kura.
“I regret all that I have done. I admit that I was insensitive for making all those comments the Kano police command and its spokesman DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa. I am seeking forgiveness from Kiyawa, the state commissioner of police and the entire Kano command. I will never repeat this mistake again,” he said.
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.