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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.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
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Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
