Headlines
Why Kano population may hit 50 million by 2050–expert
Nasiru Yusuf
The population of Kano state may hit over 50 million people by 2050 due to high fertility rate and low practice of family planning in the state, an expert Habib Sadauki has warned.
Mr Sadauki, a consultant gynecologist, revealed this on Thursday during a consultative meeting on family planning organized by Development Research and Project Centre (dRPC).
He said currently, the use of modern contraceptive methods in the state stands at 5.8 percent, which is far below the national average.
The reproductive health expert recalled that family planning usage in Kano in 2013 was 1.3% but rose to 5.8% in 2018.
According to him two decades ago it was a taboo to discuss family planning in ministry of health, talk less of demanding for budgetary allocation.
Kano Focus reports that despite the shortage of contraceptive commodities and consumables in public hospitals, no budget was allocated to family planning in the 2020 Kano state appropriation law.
“Presently Kano has 5.8 fertility rate, which is above 5.3 national average. Based on this trend, the state population would be more than 50 million by 2050.
“The state government has anticipated the implication of this uncontrolled population growth and adopted free family planning services, national family planning costed implementation plan and integrated outreach,” Mr Sadauki said.
In a message sent to the conference, the director general of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Habu Gumel said the institute is collaborating with dRPC for advocacy to increase funding for family planning, routine immunization, ending child killer diseases and primary health care.
Mr Gumel, a professor of political science revealed that at current population rate, Nigeria will be among four most populous countries in the world by 2050 with estimated population of 289 million.
He noted that failure to address this challenge will be detrimental to any kind of economic development of initiatives to improve living condition of the citizens.
The director general emphasized the need for continuous engagement and dialogue on how to manage Nigeria’s population growth for sustainable development.
“In 2019, NIPSS and development research and project centre with support from Bill and Melinda Gates foundation collaborated in the implementation of the NIPSS senior executive course 41, with theme: funding universal healthcare delivery in Nigeria. The report was well received by President Muhammad Buhari and his cabinet last November with a pledge to implement the recommendation.
“This year 2020, President Buhari has mandated the senior executive course 42 of the national institute to conduct a study on population growth and the challenges of human capital development in Nigeria.
“There is no doubt that population issues are related to so many other issues such as demography, economics, education, human capital, urbanization, gender, religion, politics, food and nutrition, health and human rights. How a nation manages its population no doubt determines the level of its development,” Mr Gumel observed.
In his address, Ubale Rano an official of dRPC, said the meeting was to brainstorm and discuss the key emerging issues related to the adequacy of family planning funding in Kano state and the implication of the new practice of states being granted approval to procure commodities apart from the consumables they used to purchase.
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
