Headlines
UK spends £3.2 million on promoting basic literacy in Kano
Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
The British Council says it has spent 3.2 million pounds on the implementation of the Kano Literacy and Mathematics Accelerator programme (KaLMA) in Wudil and Dawakin Tofa local government areas of Kano state.
Kano Focus reports that, the programme which began in October 2019, was aimed at addressing the lack of foundational skills in basic literacy and numeracy among primary school pupils.
The Representative of KaLMA in Kano state, Habeeb Saleh disclosed this at the flag-off of distribution of KaLMA instructional materials in Kano on Monday.
Habeeb Saleh
Photo credit Philip Adigun from the KaLMA team.
According to him, KaLMA was also providing training and capacity building for teachers, Head Teachers, students teachers and school support officers in foundational skills methodology comprising teaching at the right level methodology for Maths and Hausa literacy, and using the British Council’s dual language approach for English.
He disclosed that in 2020, KaLMA had produced and distributed teaching and learning materials to all primary four to primary six teachers and pupils in the two local government areas the programme was being implemented in the state.
“The materials are designed to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom as well as improve pupils’ learning outcomes.
Instructional materials donated by FCDO
Photo credit: Philip Adigun from the KaLMA team.
“This year, KaLMA has revised, updated and reproduced its teaching and learning materials for use both in classrooms and at home as a response to the challenges around impromptu school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Mr Saleh noted that no fewer than 255 head teachers, 1,196 class teachers and 28,544 pupils in 181 schools in the two local government areas would receive the materials.
Dt Danlami Hayyo and Hajiya Lauratu Ado Diso presenting instructional materials to teachers and pupils
Photo: Philip Adigun from the KaLMA team.
Earlier, the state commissioner of Education, Muhammad Sanusi Kiru represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Lauratu Diso, commended the British Council for the initiative and pledged continuous support to all development partners in their effort to raise the standard of education in the state.
Hajiya Lauratu Ado Diso
Photo: Philip Adigun from the KaLMA team.
Also in his remarks, the SUBEB Executive chairman, Danlami Hayyo said the programme would be expanded to 10 local government areas before the end of this year as a committee had been set up to look at the modalities of expanding the programme to all the 44 local government areas by 2022.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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