Headlines
Anger as Ganduje’s commissioner celebrates Abba Kyari’s death
Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo
Angry social media users have called on Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to sack his Commissioner for Works, Muazu Magaji for openly celebrating the death of Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Kyari, 67, died of complications from the COVID-19–a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
While many Nigerians express sadness over the passing of the late powerful chief of staff, Mr Magaji took to social media to launch vile comments and invective on the deceased.
“Win win… Nigeria is free and Abba kyari ya mutu a cikin annoba… Mutuwar shahada in Har da Imani mutum ya cika,” Mr Magaji wrote on his Facebook wall.
“I am not a hypocrite and I won’t pretent! (sic). While at personal level I pray Allah grant Abba Kyari Jannah…I sinerely believe Nigeria needed a better Cos period!,” the commissioner added.
Mr Magaji’s horrible comments have generated angry reactions from many commenters, including Bashir Ahmed, Personal Assistant to President Buhari on New Media.
“I am really disappointed and pained by the Kano State Commissioner for Works, Engr. Muazu Magaji’s remarks on Mallam Abba Kyari’s demise, the commissioner is seen publicly celebrating the death on his Facebook page. I hope Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje will call him to order.
Mutuwa dai rigar kowace, last night was Mallam Abba’s turn, my time and your time will definitely come no matter how long it may take.
Allah ya jikan Mallam Abba Kyari, ya karbi shahadarsa, ya kuma yi masa sakamako da gidan Aljanna Firdaus,” Mr Ahmed wrote on his Facebook wall.
“It can be easily overlooked when some minor misguided people celebrate Mallam Abba Kyari or anyone’s death, but when a member of Kano State Executive Council, a commissioner does the same it would definitely be hard to just overlook.
Engr Muaz Magaji’s action was very irresponsible, and he needs to know that, for God’s sake, Honorable Minister, you are not as ordinary as other citizens, you are a stakeholder with thousands looking up to you, please be a responsible and good ambassador,” he added.
Other aggrieved commenters called on Mr Ganduje to remove Mr Magaji from his position, describing the commissioner as a “mental retard” and a “disgrace to the Kano state government.”
“I don’t know what criteria Ganduje used in appointing a mental retard person a commissioner. His attitude on this platform cannot even be displayed by a 10 year old boy but this mental and inhumane personality is in the helm of a critical ministry in Kano. The governor should dissociate himself from this man by sacking him as a member of the State Executive Council,” Nura Ibrahim Maigoro, one of the angry users said.
Another user Usman Rabiu Bala said: “When you are done celebrating the death of Abba Kyari, kindly find time to read about his life. Start by reading his resume. When you are done, ask yourself this simple question: “Will I achieve half of what Abba achieved?” Do that in front of your mirror Am disappointed in you honourable”.
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..
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”
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.
Ajrena Foods commissions Peanut Processing Facility in Kano
NCC visits NCA Ghana
FG commissions National Cybersecurity Centre in BUK
The Growing Menace of Open Defecation in Kano: A Call for Urgent Action
Kwankwaso denies taking position on rumoured defection to APC
BUK Achieves 100% Success in 2024 NUC Accreditation: 53 Programmes Fully Approved
2025 Hajj:Kano Pilgrims Board Deploys 300-Man Team, Unveils Seven Key Committees
Kano signs N12. 7bn for construction of Tofa-Karaye road
Salary fraud: Kano uncovers N28m in local government payroll
