Headlines
Kano Polytechnic land encroachment: Murdering the giant asleep
Kabir Dalha Kabir and Salihu Sule Khalid
It is no longer news that the Kano State government is hell bent on confiscating the Kano State Polytechnic land that is meant for extension of the numerous programs that the Institution is accredited for as well as new ones.
The land in question is a fenced bounded land within the polytechnic boundary and is now the only available land for extension for the institution that lacks various infrastructure like staff offices, students classrooms, lecture theatres, laboratories, workshops, sport complex, etc.
The land is bounded by the School of General Studies from the West, by KSP staff houses and Central Administration from the North, by AKSCIL and School of Management Studies from the East and by the fence erected by KSP from the South, showing that the land is fully bounded by institutional facilities, so I wonder how can residential buildings survive?
It is really sad to also understand that some people within us are involved in this dastardly act.
Residential Plots
It is also rumored that the land is believed to be already allocated to some few important personalities within and outside the state for personal use or political patronage.
The plan of the land according to some reports is containing 108 of plots of GRA sizes.
It is also rumored that the plots are already on sale, ranging from N8,000,000.00-N13,000,000.00 per plot.
Even though there are some strong evidences of the existence of this unfortunate encroachment we will still call it a rumor for now.
I am of the opinion that those people behind this evil plan are not lovers of the people and the government of Kano State.
I am saying this because anybody that will promote the encroachment of such a land in a time when the Kano state government is giving free education at the Primary and Secondary school levels is not a patriotic citizen of our state.
Public versus Personal Interests
Why should the only available KSP land for expansion be grabbed for residential or personal interest?
There is nowhere in the world were personal interest overrides a public interest.
Whenever these two interests collided, the public interest is always considered above the personal one.
This is so anywhere.
The encroached KSP land is of utmost public interest that is reserved for extension and expansion of the institution.
If for any reason it is to be utilized, then it should never be for personal conversion as it is being speculated now.
Since the policy of free education of this government stopped at the secondary school level, then what the tertiary institutions need is infrastructural development through building more classrooms, lecture theatres, staff offices, recreational facilities and so on for their reserved lands, but not conversion to personal use by the few.
Construction not Compensation
I think Kano State Polytechnic being one of the oldest in the country needs more land for expansion not compensation.
The information I received on Friday is that the Kano State government has proposed a compensation for the possible confiscated land.
That 65.73 hectares of virgin land in Bagadawa (a place after Dawanau, along Bichi road) is being dangled to the Kano State Polytechnic community as a compensation.
But the problem is what Kano State Polytechnic need now is not compensation for an already reserved fenced land, but rather infrastructural development on that same land.
If for all these years, Kano State government could not be able to build a single classroom for the institution, even though there is available land to do that, and also the Management of KSP could not do that because they don’t have the funds to, then how does the government thinks a virgin 65-hectare land can be developed in even 10 year period for a conducive learning atmosphere?
Is the government saying residential houses will now be built in the midst of these institutions that bounded the contentious KSP land? Is that arrangement right?
What Legacy?
Are we now saying the only legacy that the Kano State government will leave to KSP community is the allocation of their reserved land to private individuals?
I believe Kano State Polytechnic has great potential if well harnessed.
The Kano State Polytechnic has five schools under its watch.
It is running more than 60 accredited programs with more than 20 now in their final assessment stage.
If this institution is not helped with infrastructure and more land, then I think the little it has must be left to it.
This is the third or fourth time that KSP land is being forcefully confiscated.
While some states are busy giving more land to their public institutions, ours is here confiscating the little that is left.
This is so sad indeed.
We must tell ourselves the home truth that no matter what anybody thinks, this government’s decision is fatally wrong; as such it must be looked at with open hearts.
It is not in the best interest of the people of Kano state and it will fatally injure the educational system of the state.
It will also make nonsense of the free educational policy of the Government.
You are murdering the polytechnic in particular and education in general.
May almighty Allah save us from us, amin ya rabbi.
Kabir Dalha Kabir and Salihu Sule Khalid are staff members of the Kano State Polytechnic.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
Kano: My City, My State
Kano: A City of Memory, Enterprise and Enduring Spirit
Emir of Rano lauds AGILE for educational intervention
Kano AGILE renovates 1,300 schools, enrolls 30,000 girls in three years
BUK Faculty of Education celebrates 50 years anniversary, launches Alumni Association
Book Review: Quintessential Elegance in Islamic Scholarship, Sheikh Ibrahim Khaleel
Emir Sanusi II Calls for Justice Over Killing of Kano Indigenes in Edo
IGP Orders Kano Police to Investigate Emir Sanusi, Withdraws Invitation from Force HQ
Emir Sanusi II Warns Against Internal Betrayal and External Meddling in Kano
