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COVID-19: Ganduje asks civil servants to remain at home for 14 more days
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Monday directed civil servants to remain at home for 14 more days as part of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Ganduje gave the directive while receiving a report from the 40-member Kano COVID-19 Fund-raising committee under the leadership of the Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK) Professor Muhammad Yahuza Bello and co-chair Tajuddeen Dantata.
Mr Ganduje said the 14-day extension order became necessary following his determination to ensure that all proactive measures are put in place to avoid the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the ancient commercial city of Kano.
He also appealed to Kano residents to strictly adhere to directives from the federal ministry of health and the state government, especially observing social distance, washing hands regularly and stay-at-home order to avoid being infected with the dreaded virus.
“We are extending the stay-at-home break given to our workers in the state. Because it is evidently clear to all that Nigeria is still recording more cases, with the number of 5 deaths,” the governor revealed.
Mr Ganduje also maintained that the state’s border closure order remains in force, promising residents that his administration will do everything possible to combat the deadly virus in the state.
The governor commended the work and assured that very soon the committee would start distributing those items to the identified potential beneficiaries, who stand at 300,000 households and other special clusters like orphanage homes, as disclosed by the committee.
He revealed that he was satisfied with the distribution modalities proposed by the committee, and assured his maximum support.
While presenting the report, Muhammad Bello, said the total cash at hand that was already in the Committee’s bank account stands at N364,695,700.5k.
According to him individuals, groups and corporate organisations has donated foodstuffs, medical equipments, among others.
He disclosed that other segments of the society that made their contributions, include members of the National Assembly and their counterpart from the State Assembly, commissioners, corporate bodies, business community, other philanthropists among others.
Meanwhile, the governor also visited Sani Abacha Stadium where Dangote Foundation is constructing a 500-bed isolation centre.
The Centre is already 50 percent completed with 250 beds installed, while the remaining 250 beds would be ready by Tuesday, according to the Project Manager of Dangote Foundation, Sanusi AbdulKadir.
Mr Ganduje who spoke while sitting on one of the beds, said “I am not sitting on this bed because of any sickness. You all know that I am COVID-19 negative. I just want feel the comfort Dangote Foundation has made for those who are found positive. Which we are praying not to have.”
He reiterated the 3-Model strategy the state comes up with against the deadly disease of COVID-19, of Preventive, Curative and Palliative. Which he assured that the state would do everything possible to get the best out of all the three stages.
He thanked all those who made contributions, health workers, Clerics who are up and doing in praying for the state and the country, traditional institutions, all people who are doing their best to comply with advice given by health professionals, among others.
Kano state executive council had earlier directed civil servants to stay off office for 14 days as from Wednesday, March 25th as part of efforts to safeguard the lives of the people of the state and prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
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.
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