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Why I joined the Army – Kano female recruit

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
A female Kano-born soldier, Amina Nuhu says she joins the Nigerian Army in order to fulfill her mother’s wishes.
Ms Nuhu, 20, an indigene of Gyaranya quarters, Kano City is the only Hausa woman among the 452 female soldiers in the 79th Regular Recruit Intake at the Zaria Depot of the Nigeria Army.
The new recruit completed her seven months training at Chindit Barracks, Zaria Depot on June 27, 2020.
Private Nuhu told Kano Focus that her mother wanted her to join the Army after her elder brother failed to get recruited.

“My mother urged me to join the military, as my brother failed to get recruited after several attempts.
“I’ve always wanted to be a soldier, but what encouraged me the most was my mother’s support, which is very rare among Hausa people”
“I’ve joined the military to fulfill her wish and I will work hard to make her proud of me.” She said.
Financial challenges
Amina Nuhu was born in 1999 at Gyaranya quarters, Gwale local government in Kano metropolis.
She attended Warure Primary School from 2005 to 2010.
She attended Army Day Girls Secondary School, Kano from 2012 to 2017 where she developed interest in joining the military.
However, she first enrolled into the School of Management Studies, Kano State Polytechnic to study Marketing.
Ms Nuhu had to drop out due to financial challenges.
“In 2007, I was admitted to Kano state polytechnic to study Marketing.
“I finished my first year successfully but failed to get money for the second year registration.
“Though I tried hard to secure the funds, I was forced to drop out when I failed to do so.” She said.
Ms Nuhu, who is an orphan, said becoming a soldier will allow her to cater for herself and take care of her mother.
Social media controversy
Her decision has however caused some controversy on social media platforms.
While some commentators praise her for following her passion, others wonder if she is really a Hausa woman and wonder if she will ever get married.
Ms Nuhu told Kano Focus that she is aware of the social media critics.
She said people in her community are happy that she has joined the Army.
“Since I became a soldier, my neighbors have been cheering me and giving me words of courage.
“People have been coming to our house to wish me well.
“In fact, whenever I go out, people approach me wanting to take a selfie – I’m very happy with the way they treat me.” She said.
A true indigene of Kano
She also debunked speculations that she is not an indigene of Kano state.
“My Father was born in Dan Hassan village, Kura local government – even his father was born there.
“Also my mother was born in Fagge area of Kano metropolis.
“I was born in Gyaranya quarters in Gwale local government inside the Kano city wall.
“So I laugh at people who say I’m not truly Hausa.”
Private Amina Nuhu of the Nigerian Army also assured those concerned about her marital prospects that she is already engaged to a fellow soldier.

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.

Headlines
Rurum, Rogo finally dump NNPP for APC


The gale of defection from opposition political parties intensifies as two members of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdullahi Sani Rogo and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that both lawmakers represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituency of Kano State.
Both lawmakers announced their defection at plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
On hand to witness the defection on the floor of the House was the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accompanied by some members of the national working committee of the party.
However, the Minority Whip, Isa Ali JC, faulted the defection of the lawmakers on the basis that it was against constitutional provisions.
As of Thursday, no fewer than 30 members of opposition political parties have dumped their parties to join the APC.
