Headlines
Kano taskforce co-chair, 3 others test positive for COVID-19
Nazifi Dawud
The Kano state government on Friday confirmed that co-chairman of its Task Force Committee on COVID-19, Professor Abdulrazak Garba Habibu and three other members of the committee have tested positive for the presence of the coronavirus.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was revealed in a statement by Hadiza Namadi, a spokesperson for the state’s Ministry of Health.
The additional cases have brought to 25 the total number of COVID-19 infections in the state, including one death.
“Kano State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, has maintained that the number of Covid-19 confirmed cases in the state as at 11:15 am today Friday remain 21 with a single death.
“However, Dr. Tsanyawa, with deep sense of sadness and on behalf of the state government, hereby announces that the Co-chairman and some members of Kano State Taskforce on Covid 19 were tested and three of the results came out positive of the Corona Virus disease,” the statement read.
It also advised the general public to keep social distancing, avoid overcrowding and stay at home to keep safe as it continue to take measures to contain the spread of the disease in the state.
The 14-member Kano State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 is led by Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, who is also the state’s deputy governor.
However, Mr Gawuna has announced that he has tested negative for the virus.
Other members of the committee include the state’s Commissioner for Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, the Commissioner for Environment, Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, the Director, Public Health, Imam Wada Bello and Amina Ganduje, a medical practitioner and daughter of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
‘No COVID-19 patient escaped’
Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa has denied media reports that a COVID-19 patient had escaped from Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) to an unidentified isolation centre in the state.
In a statement by Hadiza Namadi, a spokesperson for the health ministry, Mr Tsanyawa described the report as unprofessional and untrue.
”A professional reporter should, basically, understand that, COVID-19 testing is not like Malaria or Typhoid fever test, where a patient takes himself to hospital and finds his way at will,” the commissioner said.
He urged members of the public to “make enquiries on how COVID-19 suspected index cases are handled with all caution and sense of responsibility”.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
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