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Kano Schools closure: Students conduct peaceful protest
Nasiru Yusuf
Students of tertiary institutions in Kano state have conducted a peaceful protest against the closure of their schools.
The protest was conducted at Kano state polytechnic, Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education and Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies.
Kano Focus gathered that the students have came to their respective schools on Wednesday for classes, but denied entry by security officials.
This reporter sighted many students at schools’ gate lamenting against government’s decision of closure and singing solidarity songs before it metamorphosis to protest.
A student of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies Mubarak Muhammad told this reporter that he was shocked when he heard that Kano state government has ordered the closure of schools again.
“COVID-19 lock down had seriously affected my studies. We are about to commence examination.
“Education is not receiving deserved attention in this country. If things continue to happen this way, I will leave my studies,” he said.
Another student met in same college Aisha Sani Abdulkadir said she learned the school’s closure when the security denied her access.
She said although, they were denied access to the school, the authorities have also directed police to send them away an act she described as harassment.
“You see now our years of studies have increased. A two year programme has became three years. Likewise a three year’s will now take student four years,” she said.
She noted that students are in serious dilemma, and staying at home is not helping matters.
On her part Salma Muhammad said the government’s directive has interrupted their ongoing examination.
She said they were expecting to round off their examinations on Friday.
Another student at the college, Abubakar Tahir said he heard that the schools were closed due to abduction of boarding school students at Kankara local government area, Katsina state.
He said the peaceful protest was conducted to express their anger against government’s decision.
He said Katsina students were abducted due to insincerity of Nigeria’s leaders who failed to provide adequate security to schools.
A student of Kano state Polytechnic Abubakar Muhammad said they came to school for normal classes, but security send them away.
“Some our are new students, many others are writing their examinations after long COVID-19 vacation.
“Nobody tell us the reason behind the closure. No one tell us when we should come back. We were just ask to leave school’s premises.
“We have no option than to embark on peaceful protest. We were really hurt. I don’t really know my graduation date. And I want get married,” he said.
Kano Focus reports that governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has extended school closure order to tertiary Institutions in the state.
Mr Ganduje gave the order through the state’s Commissioner of higher education Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure and her counterpart of Health, Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa in a press statement issued in the late hours of Tuesday night.
The Governor who didn’t state any reason for the closure of the schools, said affected institutions are all Public and Private Health Training institutions including Schools of basic/postbasic nursing and midwifery, Schools of Health Technology, school of Hygiene, Sa’adatu Rimi college of Education, Kano state Polytechnic, Audu Bako College of Agriculture and Aminu Kano college of Islamic and legal studies.
Part of the statement reads, “His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, has approved the closure of all Tertiary Institutions in the State with immediate effect.
“With this approval, all students are advised to vacate the Campuses from tomorrow 16/12/2020. They’re also advised to continue revising their lessons while at home.
“All inconveniences are highly regretted,” the statement however reads.
The Governor had initially through his Commissioner of Education, Muhammad Kiru, ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Kano based Non-Governmental Organisation, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative has launched Women Against Violence Empowerment through Sustainability (WAVES) project – a five month capacity building initiative focused on supporting survivors of gender-based violence, those at risk, and women involved in small-scale agribusinesses in Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chief Operating Officer of the group, Fatima Musa Aliyu unveiled the project on Tuesday.
She said, “We are dedicated to protecting women and girls from all forms of violence. Over the past five years, BCAI has been a leading advocate for women and girls in Kano State, addressing gender-based violence and other harmful practices that disproportionately affect them.
“Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CPRLI), the WAVES project aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of empowered women in Kano, promoting economic security and combating gender-based violence (GBV) through training in GBV prevention, financial literacy, business development, and sustainable agricultural practices.
“According to UNICEF, women and girls face significant gender Inequalities, with 1 in 3 women reporting experiences of GBV. Between November 2022 and February 2023, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) recorded 171 cases of GBV.
“According to another report by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kano State Chapter, Kano State WARAKA Sexual Assault Refferral Center documented over 4,000 cases of sexual violence in the last five years.”
She added that evidence shows that societal norms, economic challenges, and even climate change are some of the factors among others that keep many women trapped in cycles of poverty and dependence, increasing their risk of gender-based violence. While some seek survival through small-scale agribusiness, their efforts are often hindered by limited skills and market access, leading to continued vulnerability and exploitation.
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