Headlines
Kano COVID-19 response ineffective–Elders
Nasiru Yusuf
A group of Kano elders under the leadership of Bashir Tofa has described Kano state government’s response against COVID-19 as “ineffective”.
The group tagged “Kano Against COVID-19 Initiative” is a composition of technocrats, bureaucrats, politicians, academics, lawyers community leaders and civil society activists.
In a statement signed by Mr Tofa on behalf of other members of the group and sent to KANO FOCUS on Thursday, the elders described the situation in Kano as “worrisome, if not alarming.”
The statement observed that “There is inadequate preparation at the state level and control measures were ineffective. There was lack of clear messaging to the citizens.”
The elders expressed dismay with what they described as “discordant tunes coming from some religious and community leaders expressing doubts about the existence of the disease.”
According to the statement, the coronavirus disease in Kano “now appears to be in a full scale community transmission with many deaths recorded in the last two to three weeks”
The elders lamented that the crisis within the state’s Task Force on COVID-19 after some of its members became infected with the coronavirus had caused a set back in the management of the pandemic.
It was in this context that Kano stakeholders and community leaders came together in a citizen initiative – Kano Against Covid-19 to determine how best to assist in contributing to an effective strategy for dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak in Kano:
- Engage in advocacy and mobilization along the three tiers of government, within the community, the private sector, civil society and international partners to combat the pandemic.
- Identity the key problems and challenges that bedevil the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 In the State.
- Develop an intervention logic practices with the competencies and capacity to address the problem and challenges identified.
- Develop a framework on how to engage collectively to contribute to a better strategy of curtailing and containing the spread of the virus in Kano.
- Provide a strategy that adequately prepares for the post-covid era, in Kano.
The elders, according to the statement, have met with the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) Dr Sani Aliyu and Head of Ministerial Committee to Kano Nasir Gwarzo, along with his colleague, Mukhtar Mohammed.
To this end, the elders advocated for expanding testing and the provision of more testing centres and kits.
The provision of more bed spaces for isolation, holding areas and case management of patients and the unified management protocols for all COVID patients in the state, the group recommended.
“A significant number of medical personnel have become infected so there is urgent need for the procurement and delivery of sufficient PPEs for their protection.
“Most medical centres in the State have stopped admitting patients for non-covid-19 infections and a system of triage, sorting and provision of telemedicine facilities should be introduced urgently to ensure medical care for all sick persons.
“Urgent measures to provide for the welfare of Advocacy for health care workers- comprising remuneration, accommodation, adequate protection and Health Insurance.
“Establishment of a joint task force consisting of the members of the current State Task Force and representation from AKTH and NOH Dala – for improved synergy and coordination and for unified decisions and synergy in the implementation of strategies.”
The governing council of Kano Against COVID-19 has Alhaji Bashir Tofa as chairman with Abba Dabo, M. Y. Bello, (VC, BUK), Shamsuddeen Usman (former minister of National Planning) and Fatima Mukhtar (VC, FUD) as members.
Other members are Fatima Abdulrahman, Isyaku Tofa (Danadalan Bichi), Sule Yahaya-Hamma, A. B. Mahmoud, and Auwalu Yadudu.
Whil the steering committee has Jibrin Ibrahim as chairman with A B Mahmoud, Awwalu Yadudu and Mohammed Tabiu as members.
Others are Maryam Uwais, Mahmoud Sani, Aisha Oyebode, Amal Hassan and Y. Z. Ya’u.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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