Headlines
UK’s FCDO spends £130 million on intervention projects in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has spent £130 million in Kano state through various interventions between 2014-2021.
KANO FOCUS reports that FCDO is also spending £14.7 million, equivalent to N8.6 billion, in its 2020-21 financial year as intervention on development projects in Kano state.
The FCDO’s Development Director, Christopher Pycroft revealed this on Wednesday while speaking at the opening of the strategic dialogue between the FCDO Nigeria and the Kano state government.
Mr. Christopher Pycroft
He however explained that there is a 28% reduction in the aid budget of FCDO this year.
“As you are aware the impact of COVID-19 has been far reaching and created a huge downturn in the global economy and the UK is no exception. This has led to a reduction in the aid budget to 0.5% of gross National income from the original 0.7%.
“This means that we will not be able to carry out all the of the development interventions programs we originally identify here in Kano.
“However, even though the financial envelope has reduced this does not indicate a reduction in our commitment to development in Kano.
“We believe that through our mutual commitment, dialogue, transparency and accountability from all parties we can achieve great impact and support to Kano state government’s own effort through this mutual accountability framework” Pycroft declared.
He explained further that “over the last seven years, from 2014-2021, FCDO has spent a total in excess of £130 million in Kano state through our program interventions. In which £14.7 million is projected to be spent in financial year 2020-21.
“The details of our 2021-22 financial commitments will be finalised following our mutual accountability strategic dialogue meeting that will hold today and we will publish all of the information about all these allocations as part of our transparency pledge”.
Responding, the Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje, emphasized the need for institutional development in order to achieve better opportunities for development.
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
“There is the need for strong institutions to support and sustain better opportunities for development.
“That is why we are we are establishing the institutions that will sustain the development including interventions from the FCDO” he stated.
“There is no doubt the relationship between FCDO and the state is helping us to strengthen our institutions. For any sustainable development there must be strong institutions. Stronger institutions provide better opportunities for sustainable development.”
“Our relationship has always been fruitful. As a result therefore, we increased our budgetary allocation to 25% in the education sector. All our policies on education and other sectors are formulated towards having strong institutions. We are partners in progress,” Ganduje said.
Participants
Head of Sub-National Team, FCDO, David Ukagwu, UNICEF Chief of Party, Maulid Warfa, TaRL Africa representative Inyang Omoren and Open Government Partnership (OGP), Civil Society Co-Chair, Abdulrazak Alkali gave some goodwill messages, acknowledging state government’s efforts in keeping faith to process of sustainable development.
As part of the agenda for the programme, the two parties, FCDO and the state government would sign an MoU on Thursday, at Science Secondary School, Dawakin Tofa, to seal the effort.
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.
Gov. Yusuf mourns former Kano finance commissioner, Prof. Dandago
Abba Care: A Lifeline of Compassion in Kano State
GATCOSA President, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago is dead
BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
Kano begins Ramadan food distribution as Gov. Yusuf constitutes feeding committee
Kano Police announce movement restrictions ahead of assembly by-elections
K-SAFE appeals to Kano Executive Council to pass revised education bill
