Headlines
Group seeks fresh probe into Ganduje’s alleged dollar bribery videos
Nasiru Yusuf
A group called Kano Concerned for Prudent Leadership has asked the Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to open a fresh investigation into several video clips purporting to show Governor Abdullahi Ganduje stuffing wads of dollar currency into his babbar-riga pockets.
In a letter to Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of the PCACC, signed by one Mukhtar Sani Mandawari, the group called on the commission to invoke its powers under the law and cause a thorough investigation into the matter.
“It is no longer news that several videos showing the Executive Governor of Kano state Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje receiving United States Dollars and smiling which is suspected to be kickbacks from contractors went viral all over the internet.
“This organization calls on your good office to invoke your powers under relevant provisions of your law and cause a thorough investigation into the matter. Happily the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has since authenticated the videos as genuine.
“Sir, we are not unaware that constitutionally, the governor cannot be prosecuted because he enjoys temporary immunity while in office. However, your commission is not in any way barred from investigating him and making findings.
“This EFCC did in the case of Ayodele Fayose, ex-governor of Ekiti state who could not be prosecuted for the alleged corrupt related offences while in office but actively investigated.
“We hope your commission will immediately kick-start investigation into this matter of public concerned (sic) as this issue is too big to be swept under the carpet,” read the letter dated 9 March 2020.
It may be recalled that Jaafar Jaafar, a journalist had released a series of video clips which appeared to show Mr Ganduje collecting bundles of cash in American dollars in October 2018.
Mr Jaafar had then alleged that the governor was collecting the cash, which he said amounted to $5 million dollars, as kickbacks from contractors executing different projects in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS recalls that even though the clips were verified as genuine by Premium Times, BBC and Amnesty International, Mr Ganduje dismissed the videos as “doctored”.
The governor also filed a N3 billion lawsuit against Mr Jaafar after rushing to a Kano high court to halt a probe into the issue by the Kano State House of Assembly.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu had said the commission was probing the alleged bribery clips.
But the report on the said investigation is yet to be released by the EFCC.
Headlines
Education Renaissance: Governor Yusuf to Boost Learning and Safety in Kano’s Public Schools
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of education in Kano’s public schools, with a particular focus on upgrading infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to Governor’s College on Thursday, Governor Yusuf inspected newly delivered furniture and instructional materials provided by the Ministry of Education.
He noted that these efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize public primary, junior, and secondary schools across the state, reversing the deteriorating state of the education sector.
The Governor was warmly received by enthusiastic students, teachers, and staff at the college, where he promised swift reforms aimed at strengthening the academic experience and preparing students for a bright future.
He also expressed pride in the improvements made at the school and announced plans to further enhance the capacity of the teaching staff.
Governor Yusuf revealed that his administration is set to construct a pedestrian bridge near the College, along Ibrahim Taiwo Road, to ensure student safety and prevent accidents.
Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s determination to tackle the challenges facing the education sector, promising that the declared state of emergency in education would result in significant progress and the restoration of Kano’s educational prestige.
Headlines
KSCHMA coverage increased by 37% in 15 months – E.S
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Headlines
EU partners UNICEF to enhance school safety, quality education in Kano
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.