News
20 primary schools lock horn in spelling bee competition in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
No fewer than twenty public primary schools, drawn from four Local Government areas of Kano state participated in the spelling bee competition in the state.
Kano Focus reports that fouty candidates, drawn from Nassarawa, Dawakin Tofa, Wudil and Ungoggo Local Goverment areas took part in the competition, organized by Kano state Deputy Governor, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
Speaking at the opening of the contest, held at Nassarawa Local Education Authority (LEA) headquarters in Kano on Monday, the Coordinator of the competition, Shamsuddin Sani said the contesting Local Governments were drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state.
According to him, the Inter-public primary schools spelling bee competition was organized by the deputy governor to compliment the effort of governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration to achieve its free and compulsory education policy.
He said the candidates were selected after they were thoroughly trained and contested school level, adding that best two candidates from each of the 20 schools are those participating at the local government level.
“Now, best two candidates in this local government level will go to participate at the state level coming up soon.
” The idea behind this is to fish out talents and brilliant pupils from public schools and engage them to further sharpen their brains through the competition. It is also to complement the free and compulsory education policy introduced by governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration,” Mr Sani said
He added that a winner and first and second runners up would be given instructional materials as prizes.
One of the participants, Ibrahim Sani, a 14-year-old from Gawuna Science and Technical Primary School, said they were trained well by their teachers at at school before they participated in the competition.
He said he is optimism to win the ongoing competition and also win the one at state level.
Headlines
CHAN Qualifiers: Eguavoen invites Rabiu Ali, 2 other Pillars players for Ghana clash
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Home-based Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen has invited Kano Pillars legendary midfielder, Rabiu Ali, and 29 players for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against Ghana.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 8th edition of the continental championship – reserved exclusively for footballers plying their trade with clubs in their country’s domestic Leagues with standard contracts – is scheduled to take place in February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kano Pillars’ evergreen midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who has scored eight goals this season, is among the players called.
The 44-year-old Ali has been a key player for Kano Pillars this season alongside Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa.
Other Kano Pillars players invited are Aminu Adam Sani and Nelson Abiam.
All the invited players will arrive at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, where the team will train ahead of the first leg of the qualification fixture against Ghana’s Black Stars B, billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December.
The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December.
News
KanSLAM gets new government co-chair, Isa Haladu
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Isa Haladu, the director, Planning, Research and Statistics Office of the Kano State Ministry of Health, has emerged as the co-chairperson, representing the government in the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM).
KANO FOCUS reports In a letter signed by Pharm Maimuna Yakubu, the Co-chair (CSOs) to Haladu, “the DPRS is recognized as the automatic Co-chairperson of KanSLAM.
“As a key player in this process, the DPRS’ office co-chairmanship will play an instrumental role in ensuring success of this partnership,” she said.
While officially presenting the letter to Haladu on Saturday at a KanSLAM review meeting at Joclarif Hotel in Zaria, Safiyanu Bichi a member of KanSLAM stated that Haladu’s emergence as the govt. co-chair will bring more development and opportunities for the SLAM.
In his remarks, the newly appointed government co-chairperson expressed his delight for being part of KanSLAM.
He stated that immediately he received the notification letter via email, he shared it with the Kano Commissioner of Health Dr Labaran Yusuf.
“I fully accept this responsibility and I am optimistic that this will facilitate in continuing the good work that KanSLAM has done in the past,” he said.
Haladu recalled how the SLAM transformed from Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Child Healthcare in Kano State (AMMKaS) to KanSLAM, stressing that the SLAM is now enlarged and much more effective.
He added: “KanSLAM has contributed in the establishment of Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), and Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) and I believe more achievements are on the way.”
KanSLAM is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Civil Servants and Journalists advocating for improved service delivery in human capital development sectors.
News
NCC Boss, Dr Maida Joins IIC Board of Directors
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida has joined the Board of Directors of TMT advocacy body of the International Institute of Communications(IIC).
KANO FOCUS reports that currently serving as the EVC/CEO at NCC, Dr Maida plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. Under his leadership, the NCC continues to advance connectivity, foster innovation, and promote a competitive and inclusive telecommunications industry.
Dr Maida’s career includes significant contributions to leading global organizations such as British Telecom, Cisco Systems, and EE Ltd. He was also a pioneering engineering team member at UbiquiSys Ltd, a groundbreaking small-cell technology startup acquired by Cisco Systems in 2013.
Prior to his current role, Dr Maida was the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS). There, he spearheaded the modernization of Nigeria’s central digital payments infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a critical enabler of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Dr Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the Cambridge Judge Business School.