Headlines
UTME 2021: 60 visually impaired candidates write exams in Kano
Nasiru Yusufo
About sixty visually impaired candidates have on Wednesday write 2021 University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, at School of Continuing Education, Bayero University, Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the university Yahuza Bello told journalists that the candidates were drawn from Jigawa, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna states.
Mr Bello who double as coordinator of the centre said Kano has been hosting candidates from all parts of Northern Nigeria, but this year the management of JAMB has approved decentralization of the centre.
According to him the newly created centres were sited at Bauchi, Yola, Birnin Kebbi and Jos.
Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello
Mr Bello announced that JAMB has provided free accomodations, feeding and transport to all candidates and their guide.
The examination body according to Bello has also donated free slate and stylus to all candidates for their personal use after the exams.
“Today in Kano we have about sixty candidates that are writing the examination from four states. Kano state Katsina state, Jigawa state and some from Northern Kaduna are writing their examination here.
“The group here in Kano have been meeting consistently in order to make all the necessary arrangements for the examination including the procurement of equipment that they are going to use. Including the slates, the stylus, typewriter and braille machine. We made them available for them. We are also giving them free slate and stylus,” he said.
He recalled that the examination was introduced by the Registrar of JAMB Ishaq Olayade in 2017 as an alternative to computer based test for visually impaired candidates.
“The registrar of JAMB who was new then, noted that there are a lot of candidates that are disadvantage particularly with the new method of computer based test introduced. The blind candidate cannot read computer screen. There is no way they can read the question paper and answer those questions. He brought this initiative to ensure these candidates have the opportunity to further their studies.
“We introduced this method of reading the questions for them, so that they can answer. Another group we later found that are not such special are the candidates that are in prison. They used to be under JAMB equal opportunity group. But found that if normal arrangement is made, those candidates can take their examination like any other candidates. JAMB have made arrangements for those that are in prison to take their examination together with normal candidates,” Mr Bello said.
The immediate past vice chancellor recalled that Bayero university has waived post UTME to all visually impaired candidates who scored 160 in JAMB examination.
This according to him this initiative has commenced yielding positive results as one visually impaired student from department of Islamic studies had recently graduated with second class upper degree.
A candidate from Katsina state Abdussalam Abubakar told KANO FOCUS that he was provided with free accomodations and feeding.
He said he came along with ten of his classmates from Government College for the blind, Katsina.
Another candidate from Kaduna state Aliyu Muhammad said he has applied to study special education at University of Abuja.
He commended JAMB management for providing all writing equipment required by visually impaired candidates during the examination.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Kano State Commissioner of Finance and renowned academic, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Governor Yusuf described the late Prof. Dandago as a dedicated public servant and accomplished scholar whose contributions to education and governance left lasting footprints in Kano State.
He noted that the former finance commissioner served the state with integrity and commitment and was widely respected for his professionalism, humility and passion for knowledge.
According to the governor, Kano State has lost a valuable son whose experience and wisdom greatly enriched both public service and the academic community.
Governor Yusuf extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the academic community and the people of Kano State over what he described as an irreparable loss.
He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the late Prof. Dandago, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
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