Headlines
UNICEF unfolds plan to address open defecation in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is set to support 10 local government areas of Kano state to attain the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF) communities.
This was revealed by Stella Okafor-Terver, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) officer, UNICEF Kano field office, during a 2-day training of State Task Group on Sanitation (STGS) on open defecation in the state.
She listed the affected local government areas to include, Madobi, Takai, Gaya, Kabo, Dawakin Tofa, Danbatta, Wudil, Sumaila, Garko and Doguwa.
The event was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA).
“The essence of the training and our coming together is to see how we can support the Kano state government to deliver even three out of the 10 local government areas.
“The level of open defecation in the state is of serious concern to us as UNICEF and the government as well as other key stakeholders, hence our decision to support the areas to ensure that they attain ODF status,” she said.
The Unicef official said a lot of funds has been committed to support the local governments to be ODF and check outbreak of diseases such as diarrhea and cholera among other killer diseases.
“There are a lot of children that die because of diarrhea. So, we are here to see how we can support our fellow human beings to ensure that we have a healthy society,” she added.
Ms Okafor-Terver added that the federal government was not happy with Nigeria’s ranking as the first in open defecation, hence the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on open defecation in the country.
“India used to be number one in open defecation, but if government of India was able to take the country out of that position, I see no reason why Nigeria should not do same,”she said.
She called on the participants to make the best use of the opportunity to move the state out of its present situation.
The participants were drawn from various relevant state’s ministries, departments and agencies and selected local government areas.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
Kwankwaso Criticizes Federal Government Over Rice Palliative Distribution in Kano
Dangote set to complete multimillion Naira skills centre, says Nawabuddin
Barau Jibrin Launches Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Scheme for Kano Students
Kano State Politics Set for a Major Shift as Kwankwaso and Ganduje’s Influence Wanes: What’s Next for the Power Dynamics in 2027?
Fagge, Mai Bushira, Naniya now professors as BUK Promotes 90 Senior Academics
Tinubu appoints Prof Abdullahi Pakistan chairman of Hajj Commission
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, bags PhD
BUK appoints Haruna Aliyu new Registrar
Doctors hold solidarity walk in Kano, demand release of abducted colleague
