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UK, Kano signs mutual accountability framework document
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State has signed a Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) with the United Kingdom.
KANO FOCUS reports that the signing of the agreement on Thursday made the state, the third in the country as Jigawa State and Kaduna states had earlier done on 16 June and 30th June 2021, respectively.
The three states were picked by the United Kingdom for her mutual accountability approach.
The signing was done after the United Kingdom’s (UK) Development Director in Nigeria, Dr Christopher Pycroft, and representatives from the British High Commission held a Strategic Dialogue with the Kano State Government to discuss the Kano Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) between 11th and 12th August.
A statement on Thursday by the British High Commission in Nigeria signed by Policy and Communications Manager, Elva Lynch-Bathgate, said the UK and Kano State Government agreed Mutual Accountability Framework and held strategic dialogue focused on Health, Education, Social Protection, Good Governance, and Sustainable Economic Transformation.
The statement revealed that the Kano MAF, which was signed on 12th August by the UK and Kano State Government, is a policy document that provides the blueprint for the socio-economic development of Kano State, aligned with the overarching Kano State Development Plan (2020-2025).
The statement further said the framework formed the basis for the dialogue with both parties setting out their commitments and ways to hold each other mutually accountable to deliver on these.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje watching Primary school pupils
During the dialogue, technical sessions were held to identify constraints and opportunities and how best the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can support the Kano State Government to address them and progress delivery of the mutual accountability framework.
The statement read that through this strengthened partnership, mutual commitments, dialogue, transparency, and accountability, greater impact will be achieved in supporting the Kano State Government’s own efforts.
At the strategic dialogue, the UK Development Director in Nigeria, based at the British High Commission, Christopher Pycroft said: “This Strategic Dialogue to discuss our mutual accountability commitments affords us all the opportunity to do more. Kano State faces many challenges on the road to sustainable development – but this Mutual Accountability Framework is a call to action.

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
“We can use this strategic dialogue to discuss what both sides can do differently to deliver more results for the people of the state and empower them to fulfil their potential.”
He noted that this dialogue represented the third of a series of high-level engagements between the UK and the state governments of Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa, as earlier this year, the UK also signed Mutual Accountability Framework’s with Jigawa State and Kaduna State.
According to him, these partnerships will drive forward development and support long-term institutional reforms to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for citizens in the state. The strategic dialogues and accountability frameworks also deepen the existing strong relationships with partner states.
With the signing, both the FCDO and partner governments are accountable to the citizens to demonstrate how UK aid is supporting governments’ development agendas and policies.
The Kano MAF was signed at a primary school in Dawakin Tofa LGA, an initiative by the Kano State Governor, which is supported by UK aid, which demonstrates how the UK-Kano partnership is already delivering real impact on the ground.
Through the Kano Literacy and Maths Accelerator (KaLMA) project the school is supported to deliver with the Teaching at the Right Level approach (TaRL), which assesses children on foundational skills and groups them by learning level. Since 2019, through KaLMA over 36,000 primary school children have been supported to build foundational Hausa and English literacy and numeracy skills.
During school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the KaLMA project pivoted to support the Kano State Government’s efforts to help children continue learning from home.

Governor Ganduje with Primary school pupils
With UK aid, support on home-based and remote learning, including radio broadcasts, has reached children across Kano with programmes in Hausa, English, and Maths.
During this visit, the Development Director, Dr Christopher Pycroft said: “Today I went with His Excellency Governor Ganduje to see how UK development assistance is supporting the Governor’s ambition to improve teaching and learning for Kano’s children.
Through our Strategic Dialogue and Mutual Accountability Framework which we signed today, we have further deepened the relationship between the UK and Kano state in support of the people of Kano.”
On his part, during the strategic dialogue, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, stated that “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”, adding “We are partners in progress”.

Dr Danlami Hayyo, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
The statement said FCDO Nigeria has played a strong role over the past decade in the development and growth of Kano and will continue to partner with the state for a sustainable, empowered, and accountable development path for its people.
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.
Headlines
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.
