Headlines
GOC 1 Div tasks Nigerian Army on security
Nasiru Yusuf
The General Commanding Officer (GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major-General Farouk Yahaya has tasked officers of the Nigerian Army to improve their performance in ensuring the security of the country.
The GOC gave the charge on Friday at the closing ceremony of a five day Inter-Brigade sports competition organised in Kano by the Division, with 1-Division Garrison Kaduna, Artillery Brigade Minna and 3-Brigade Kano as participants.
According to him, “the inter-brigade sports competition 2020 was part of the training instruction by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai to improve their proficiency, to have a professional and more Confident soldiers.”
He said, “I expect that professionalism should be your watchwords, as you put into good use of the knowledge and experience gained during the competition.
“Such would be for the overall benefit of your units and the Nigerian Army at large.
“I would like to assure you that the training of such nature will continue to receive priority attention in the Division.”, the GOC assured the participants.
According to him, from the enthusiasm shown and performance of the participating formations, the division was satisfied that the objectives of the competition was achieved.
“The objectives of the competition was basically to improve your physical fitness, enhance your leadership traits, organisational ability, use of initiative, promote esprit de corps amongst you.
“It is also to prepare you for battle in view of the present security challenges in the country. I have no doubt that the events you competed for have greatly improved your physical and mental capacity,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje commended the military for organising the sports competition among soldiers.
Mr Ganduje, represented by the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Kabiru Ado-Lakwaya said it is another step in tackling insecurity challenges in the country.
According to him, such training can keep the military fit and strong in fighting the security challenges in the country.
The governor further pledged to continue to give all the security agencies in the state, especially the military adequate support to tackle insecurity
The events competed for include Football, Boxing, Taekwondo, Swimming, Squash, Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Obstacle crossing, Tug of war, Cross country race, Badminton, Chess and Scrabble.
At the end of the competition, 1 Division Garrison Kaduna clinched the 1st position, 3 Brigade Nigerian Army Kano 2nd position and 31 Artillery Brigade Minna took the 3rd position.
Headlines
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
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K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Headlines
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
