Headlines
‘Why youth unemployment is rife in Nigeria’

By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Mustapha Bichi, a professor of civil engineering at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has explained that the failure of universities to equip students with vital entrepreneurial skills is one of the drivers of unemployment in Nigeria.
Mr Bichi revealed this on Tuesday at a one-day dialogue on Understanding Skills Supply and Gaps as means of Employability in Kano state organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
He said the emphasis placed on acquiring “paper qualifications” rather than entrepreneurship skills has raised the level of unemployment in the country, adding that “about 80% of graduates in most Nigerian universities find it hard to get employment every year.”
“This is largely due to the curricula of the universities and other tertiary schools with emphasis on training for white-collar jobs.

“University is not going to give you everything you need to get a job after graduation. There are certain skills that are in high demands and learning any of them now is the best way to prepare and position yourself for the challenge ahead,” he said.
“Nigeria like other developing countries, is faced with a number of problems ranging from youth and graduate unemployment, high level of poverty, insurgency, conflict and diseases, insincerity, over dependency on foreign made goods, low economic growth and development, lack of capacity and required skills to move the economy forward and urbanization”.
Also, Adamu Ahmad, a regional manager of Integrated Cooperative Service–a company that offers job application services to youths in Kano– blamed lack of good communication skills and computer literacy as some of the factors that prevent people from getting jobs.

Headlines
UNICEF applauds Kano State for enacting Child Protection Law, calls for effective implementation

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has commended the Government and citizens of Kano State for the recent enactment of the Child Protection Law, signed into law by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commendation was contained in a statement issued by Samuel Kaalu UNICEF spokesperson in Kano.
The statement quoted Mr. Rahama R.M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, saying “The Kano State Child Protection Law is a remarkable achievement that benefits the children and people of Kano. It establishes a legal framework to ensure the protection of children’s rights within the state.
“Now that the law has been established, it is crucial to allocate the necessary resources and establish mechanisms for its effective implementation. We urge the new administration in Kano State to take this vital step and provide adequate resources to ensure the comprehensive enforcement of the law.

Mr. Farah added that with the enactment of this law, Kano State joins other states that have successfully incorporated the Nigeria Child Rights Act, originally enacted by the National Assembly in 2003, into their legal frameworks.
He said “It is important to note that this Act is derived from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), of which Nigeria is a signatory. Extensive consultations were conducted with key stakeholders, including faith-based and community leaders, during the development of the bill.
“This collaborative effort ensured that the law reflects the values and aspirations of the people of Kano.”
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children.

Headlines
APC condemns Kano demolition exercise

Aminu Abdullahi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has implored the victims of the recent demolition exercise embarked upon by the Kano State government to seek legal redress while describing the action of the new NNPP administration as barbaric and unacceptable.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Ag. State Chairman of the opposition party, Shehu Maiagari made the condemnation while Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre, Kano.
The politician condemned the spate of demolition of business interests and property across the state by the Governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“The action of the state government has brought unnecessary chaos, rampant vandalism, daylight robbery and grabbing of property belonging to innocent members of the Kano society” he lamented.
The opposition party insisted that the demolition has destroyed the means of livelihood of the people of the state while lamenting that it has equally tarnished the reputation of the state as a safe commercial centre for secured business investment.
The APC appealed to security agencies in the state to step up action and restore the people’s confidence in light of the shock they had experienced while imploring parents and guardians to caution their children against being used as agents of destruction by the state government.
“We assure the good people of the state of our prayers and support in this trying period; we also implore those affected directly or indirectly, to seek redress in the court of law,” they stated.

Headlines
Kano Governor Appoints Habu Fagge as Pension Boss

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Alhaji Habu Muhammad Fagge as Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Board Trustee.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment takes effect immediately as the governor directed for handing over and taking over within 24 hours.
A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said Alhaji Habu Fagge, a holder of Bsc Finance from Abraham Lincoln University, served two terms as Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services.
The statement added that the new appointee had served Kano State as director finance, director planning, research and statistics and director other taxes.

