Headlines
Top Kano stories last week: October 25–November 1, 2019
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Ganduje to pay new minimum wage arrears
Mr Ganduje had offered to pay N30,600 as minimum wage in the state after the minimum wage law bill was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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Kidnappers to receive death sentence–Ganduje
Crime of kidnapping would soon be punished by death in Kano state, according to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The governor said he had already directed the state Ministry of Justice to initiate the process of amending the Penal Code section on kidnapping in order to change the punishment from life imprisonment to death.
Mr Ganduje, revealed this on Thursday while inaugurating the 16-man Commission of Inquiry mandated to investigate the abduction and forceful conversion to Christianity of nine Kano children by an Igbo kidnap syndicate.
The governor declared that death penalty is the only befitting punishment for kidnapping, which he said has taken a dangerous dimension in the state.
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We’ll install 17 rice mills in Kano–Nanono
Alhaji Sabo Nanono, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development said the federal government is planning to install 17 rice mills in Kano state as part of efforts to boost agriculture and ensure food sufficiency in Nigeria.
Mr Nanono revealed this on Friday during a stakeholders meeting with farmers at the Kano State Government House.
He said the installation of new rice mills and the revival of existing ones would increase rice production output and curtail the effects of border closure on food sufficiency and security.
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KAROTA officer crushed to death by runaway motorist
A personnel of the Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) was crushed to death after a motorist who resisted arrest ran over him and fled
Witnesses said the deceased, Tijjani Adamu, 27, had entered the offender’s car after arresting him for beating traffic, but alighted to remove the vehicle’s front number plate.
At that moment, it was learnt that the driver pressed the accelerator and crushed Mr Adamu before speeding off.
KAROTA had informed the Kano Police Command to launch a manhunt to arrest the suspect.
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2020 Hajj registration begins–Kano Pilgrims board
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board (KSPWB) announced the start of registration for the 2020 hajj exercise.
Executive Secretary of the board Muhammad Abba Danbatta, revealed this in a news conference, calling on intending pilgrims to make a minimum deposit of N1.2 million.
Mr Dambatta said the board would establish registration centres across the 44 local government areas of the state to guide those interested.
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Kano launches measles vaccination, targets 3 million children
The Kano state government officially launched vaccination campaign against measles, saying it is targeting at least three million children under five years.
Flagging off the campaign, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, explained that measles is a preventable but highly transmissible viral infection which affects mostly children under five years of age and remains a major cause of children’s mortality globally.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
Kwankwaso: The Northern Titan Tinubu Needs for 2027
Namadi Sambo commends Gov. Yusuf for declaring state of emergency on education
Northern Nigeria’s Crossroads to Renewal
AGILE Kano takes awareness campaign on Gender-Based Violence to schools
PLANE partners Kano govt to develop MTSS for education sector
NDLEA Kano uses Dambe to combat drug abuse
Tears, Prayers, and Riyals: A Hajj to Remember with Gov. Yusuf
UNICEF asks Kano to declare state of emergency on polio
Kano Govt declares Thursday public holiday for Islamic new year
