Headlines
Kano approves N48m contract for drainages in Kano Emir’s Palace
Aminu Abdullahi
Kano state Executive Council has approved the sum of 48, 010, 036.15 million for the construction of drainage and culverts within Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that The state commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba announced this on Sunday while addressing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting, held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.
He said the project is to prevent flood occurrences due to the absence of defined structures to effectively discharge storm water from the existing drainages to the outside of the Palace.
The commissioner also stated that the release of the sum of N26, 107, 038.04 million has been ratified by the council for the contract on flood intervention measures at Gaida Kuka Uku along Madobi-Panshekara Road.
Council ratifies N3.9b for roads network in 3 Emirates
Garba said Kano state Executive Council has also approved the ratification of contracts for the construction township roads network in the three Emirate Councils of Rano, Gaya and Karaye at the total cost of N3, 942, 564, 267.77 billion.
He said the projects are aimed at bringing about meaningful development, boost the general economic status of the state and further endear government to the teeming populace.
He said the council also granted approval for the augmentation of the sum of N42, 350, 998.31million as additional cost of the contract for the construction of Dala Inland Dry Port internal and access roads network at Zawaciki in Kumbotso local government area of the state.
Mr Garba explained that the increase in the contract some followed unearthing of additional works which were not captured in the initial Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME).
He said the additional works discovered after the contractor handling the project has achieved 37 per cent progress, upon advance payment of N250, 000, 000.00 million include, among others, removal of unsuitable materials, provision of fill material, construction of culverts, provision of vehicular slabs.
Garba stated that the new contract sum now stands at N1, 600, 917, 357.68 as against the initial sum of N1, 558, 556, 359.37 billion awarded in July, 2020.
Council approves N1bn special intervention project
The commissioner also announced that the council has approved the release of N1, 000, 000, 000.00 billion for the implementation of some special intervention projects in some local government areas in the state.
He said areas to be covered by the intervention include education, healthcare services, road infrastructure, environment electrification and water supply at various locations of the 17 local governments spread across the five emirates in the state.
Council earmarks N300m for ICT at Giginyu Hospital
Garba added that approval has also been granted for the supply/installation of Information and Communication Technology equipment deployment of Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) at the Kano Cancer Treatment Centre at Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu, at the reviewed cost of N307, 257, 323.02 million.
He explained that the supply and installation of the facilities at the centre, which is the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, is bound to enhance compliance with global standards in the management of such that emphasized on electronic medical record.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
Kwankwaso Criticizes Federal Government Over Rice Palliative Distribution in Kano
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Barau Jibrin Launches Postgraduate Foreign Scholarship Scheme for Kano Students
Kano State Politics Set for a Major Shift as Kwankwaso and Ganduje’s Influence Wanes: What’s Next for the Power Dynamics in 2027?
Fagge, Mai Bushira, Naniya now professors as BUK Promotes 90 Senior Academics
Tinubu appoints Prof Abdullahi Pakistan chairman of Hajj Commission
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, bags PhD
BUK appoints Haruna Aliyu new Registrar
Doctors hold solidarity walk in Kano, demand release of abducted colleague
