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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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