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Citizens Group lauds the work of DSS and other intelligence agencies against violent separatists in Nigeria

Nasiru Yusuf
A group, Non-State Actors Consultative Forum (NOSACOF) has commended the recent decision of the Federal Government of arresting, extradition and subsequent rearraignment of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu over secession threat.
They also described the raid on the resident of Yoruba secessionist activist, Sunday Igboho by the Department of State Security (DSS) as step in right direction.
KANO FOCUS reports that NOSACOF, a platform of private and other professional organisations made the disclosure at a press conference in Kano on Tuesday on their stand on what they described as violent separatists movement so far.

According to the forum’s coordinator, Abdulrazak Alkali, “While every Nigerian has the constituted right to express his opinion, it is however disappointing to see some non-state actors, interest groups, politicians and tribal leaders unjustly criticising our security agencies and expressing all sorts of unpatriotic statements capable of undermining the security and unity of our dear country.
“In the case of Nnamdi Kanu, Nigerians are well aware of the charges of terrorism and illegal possession and importation of firearms against him and how he violated all his bail terms and later jumped, only to continue against instigating against the Nigerian state from abroad.
“The outstanding expertise and professionalism shown by the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), DSS in collaboration with international agencies which resulted in the arrest and repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu should make every peace loving Nigerian proud of our security establishments.
“Similarly, the action taken by the DSS against the secessionist Sunday Igboho is a welcome development. The move came at the right time as it has thwarted his plans of launching violence against innocent people of a particular ethnicity.
“If Nigeria is to win fight against insecurity and terrorism, Nigerians need not to be distracted by agents of doom, but should support the government and its security agencies to bring the current security challenges to an end. No country can win this fight against insecurity without the support of its citizens,” NOSACOF observed.
They also condemned what they described some ethnic groups’ attempt to give cover to criminals among them, noting that a crime has no religion, ethnic or religion and that it should be fought collectively.
The forum which was established in 2020 has so far covered about 14 states of the federation and Abuja.

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Kwankwaso denies taking position on rumoured defection to APC

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.

A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”

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Emir Sanusi commends AGILE for renovating over 1,300 schools in Kano

The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.

Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.

The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.

AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.

AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.

Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.

AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.

Headlines
Rurum, Rogo finally dump NNPP for APC


The gale of defection from opposition political parties intensifies as two members of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdullahi Sani Rogo and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that both lawmakers represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituency of Kano State.
Both lawmakers announced their defection at plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
On hand to witness the defection on the floor of the House was the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accompanied by some members of the national working committee of the party.
However, the Minority Whip, Isa Ali JC, faulted the defection of the lawmakers on the basis that it was against constitutional provisions.
As of Thursday, no fewer than 30 members of opposition political parties have dumped their parties to join the APC.
