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KUST Wudil, ASUU resolve crisis after agreement on major demands

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Mukhtar Yahya Usman

The Kano State University of Science and Technology, Wudil (KUST) says it has reached an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after fulfilling four of five demands presented by the union.

This was contained in a statement sent to KANO FOCUS, signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations unit of the university, Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya, on Friday.

Mr Na’yaya said the university has settled staff entitlements including 50% balance of the N198million Postgraduate Grant and 2017/2018 SIWES Supervision Allowance and Family Air ticket allowance.

He added that the Excess Workload Allowances for 2014/2015, 2015/2016, as well as 2016/2017 submitted by the union in May 2019 and August 2019, respectively have been approved by the State Executive Council and the release of the funds is in process.

The KUST spokesperson explained that the institution had implemented the “hazard allowance” with effect from January and February 2020.

Meanwhile, the varsity management has reiterated the state government’s determination to improve its support and funding for the continued growth of the university.

Background to the crisis

It may be recalled that members of ASUU at the KUST had threatened to embark on an all-out strike by March 2020 unless the varsity’s authorities address various issues including alleged poor funding, financial misappropriation and attempt to raise students’ registration fees.

In a joint statement, the ASUU-KUST branch Chairman, Comrade Muhammad Sani Gaya and Secretary Comrade Murtala Muhammad said the poor funding of the university is adversely affecting the running of the university resulting to inadequate offices and laboratories.

The ASUU-KUST had also accused the university’s leadership of misapplying over N200 million to purchase exotic cars while failing to renovate a female hostel block that was destroyed by fire in February 2019.

The lecturers also alleged plans by the KUST authorities to increase registration fees for undergraduate students “despite lack of accountability in the funds generated in previous students’ registration as externally audited financial reports were not presented before the university council within the last few years in violation of the university law and services rendered”.

The ASUU further alleged that “persistent under-funding of the university by the Kano state government”.

“The union noted that for a long time the state virtually left the provision of needed infrastructure of the university to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TeTFund),” the statement said.

However, in its reaction, the KUST management dismissed the allegations, insisting that the university is being funded by the Kano state government.

“The University management will like to categorically state that Kano state government as proprietor of the university has been making releases of funds of N774 Million for accreditation, the prompt payment of salaries and wages of staff of N2.6 Billion annually as well, undertook other developmental projects.

“The University Management has also purchased laboratory equipment worth millions of naira for use during practical’s and makes periodic releases of funds to departments, directorates and other units of the university,” read the statement, signed by Abdullahi Nayaya, deputy registrar, information and public relations of the varsity.

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Kano Police Arrest Eight in Drug, Thuggery Raids

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Ibrahim Khalil

 

The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

 

According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.

 

It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.

 

A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

 

The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.

 

In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.

 

The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.

 

Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.

 

The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.

 

CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.

 

“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.

 

“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”

 

The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.

 

It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.

 

The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

 

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Funeral Prayer Held for Late Shehu Kabir Bayero

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.

 

Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.

 

Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.

 

Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.

 

Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.

 

He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.

 

Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.

 

The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.

 

May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.

 

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Kano holds planning meeting on implementation of Nigeria learning passport

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.

 

According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.

 

The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.

 

The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.

 

In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.

 

The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.

 

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