Headlines
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.

Headlines
FG commissions National Cybersecurity Centre in BUK

Aminu Abdullahi
In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 commissioned a state-of-the-art National Cybersecurity Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

KANO FOCUS reports that the facility, unveiled, is poised to become a national hub for digital defense, innovation and talent development.

Dr. Jide Ajayi cutting the tape during the opening ceremony
Speaking during the commissioning, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the center as more than just a physical structure—“a national asset”.
Represented by Dr. Jide Ajayi from the Zonal Coordination Department, Abdullahi noted that the Centre represents a strategic intervention to enhance cybersecurity education, research and cross-sector collaboration across Nigeria.
“This is not just the unveiling of a facility, it is the activation of a knowledge-driven platform designed to equip our nation with the tools, talent and infrastructure required to safeguard our digital space and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” he stated.
He added that the center aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint, serving as a springboard for collaboration among government, academia and industry stakeholders. It will support research, hands-on training, and act as a resource hub for regional and national partners working to secure Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s leadership for what he described as a visionary and transformative investment in Nigeria’s higher education and national development.

Group picture taken during opening ceremony
“This Centre is more than just a building—it is a symbol of foresight, partnership and the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping our universities with critical infrastructure for 21st-century education,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the entire Bayero University community is agog with happiness,” he added.
The event was well attended by a distinguished audience, including the Principal Officers of Bayero University, senior management staff from BUK, NITDA, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of academic and administrative staff, along with enthusiastic participation from students..

Headlines
Kwankwaso denies taking position on rumoured defection to APC

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.

A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”

Headlines
Emir Sanusi commends AGILE for renovating over 1,300 schools in Kano

The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.

Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.

The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.

AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.

AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.

Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.

AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
