Headlines
Torture: Kano to check operations of ‘gidan mari’ rehab centres
By Nazifi Dawud
The Kano state government has vowed to look into the operations of youth rehabilitation centres, also known as ‘gidan mari’ in the state in order to check potential torture, maltreatment and abuse of inmates.
This was revealed by Hadiza Mustapha Namadi, spokesperson of the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in a statement sent to Kano Focus on Wednesday.
The statement reported the permanent secretary of the ministry, Auwalu Umar Sanda as saying that there is need to check the operations of ‘mari’ rehab centres in the state, after the disturbing allegations of abuse that beset similar centres in Kaduna and Katsina states.
Mr Sanda, who made the comments while receiving leaders of the Network of ‘Yan Mari Rehabilitation Schools in the state, expressed “commitment to ensuring that the activities of mari rehabilitation centres in the state are fine tuned to operate within the dictate of the law.”
The permanent secretary “observed with dismay the unfolding allegation of mistreatment of deviant youth at an informal rehabilitation center popularly known as ‘gidan mari’ in a neighboring state stressing that the in action was dehumanizing and unbearable.”
“He expressed the ministry’s determination to work in concert with relevant stakeholders in the state to come up with a robust operational guidelines for registration and monitoring affairs of informal rehabilitation centers and care- givers outfit in the state,” the statement read.
Mr Sanda also “warned all operators of informal rehabilitation centers to desist from any anti-social act capable of maltreating the clients”.
“He also advised parents and guardians against taking the wards to any rehabilitation center with a bad record of human abuse.”
In his remarks, chairman of the Network of Yan Mari Rehabilitation Schools Mallam Ibrahim Alhajiji said they visited the ministry to update the permanent secretary on their activities and “to solicit with a continued synergy with the state government on overall operations of the rehabilitation schools in the state.”
Mr Alhajiji also assured the ministry of support to operate better rehab centres in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The government has introduced new guidelines for fee increment.
Kano State Government has prohibited private and voluntary schools from arbitrarily increasing fees and forcing parents to purchase materials directly from the schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that Executive Secretary of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institution’s Board( KSPVIB,) Comrade Baba Abubakar Umar, gave the warning in an interview with journalists.
The Executive Secretary said that some schools have been taking advantage of parents through hidden charges and exorbitant fees.
He said to address this issue, the board has introduced new guidelines.
According to him, “Schools must convene a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to discuss any fee increments”.
He also stated that school must then write to the board seeking approval for the increase, attaching the attendance sheet from the PTA meeting.
He added that”At least two-thirds of parents must be present at the PTA meeting”
Comrade Abubakar dated that, the board has received complaints from parents who were charged excessive fees or amounts different from what was initially agreed upon.
He therefore disclosed that despite the current economic situation, schools must be realistic and fair in their charges.
“The board will work with relevant authorities to prosecute schools that operate illegally or evade taxes”
He however maintained that the board is committed to ensuring that schools provide safe learning environments and employ qualified teachers.
“Parents are encouraged to report any schools with substandard teaching or unsafe conditions”
Comrade Abubakar emphasised that, new census forms will be distributed to private and voluntary schools to ensure accurate data collection and effective monitoring. Saying that the board remains open to dialogue and discussions with schools willing to comply with the law.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to education, allocating 30% of the state’s budget to the sector and declaring a state of emergency.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that two people have died and two others were injured following the collapse of a two-storey building in Noman’s Land, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Officer, Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said the agency received a distress call around 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan about the building collapse.
Dr. Abdullahi stated, “The agency received a distress call today at about 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan that a two-storey building collapsed in Noman’s Land Quarters, Kano.”
He further said, “Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our rescue team to the scene.”
Dr. Abdullahi added, “Four persons were rescued by our team—a husband, wife, and two children. Unfortunately, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment.”
The NEMA Coordinator also noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to find any persons trapped in the building.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano students from Kano are the top applicants of the student loan scheme, data from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed.
KANO FOCUS reports that NELFUND, in a data chart posted via its official X handle, @nelfnigeria on Friday, highlighted the number of applicants per state of origin.
According to the data chart, students originally from Kano State topped the list of applicants with 17,122 applicants; Borno followed suit with 13,798 applicants while Benue had 11,754 applicants. The three states were the only states with over 11, 000 applicants.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.
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