Headlines
Why Kano revenue drops in two years
Nasiru Yusuf
The Director Personal Income at Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Malam Muhammad Aminu Abdullahi Bichi has attributed the drop in the Internally Generated Revenue in the state from 2020 to the year 2021 to COVID-19 pandemic.
KANO FOCUS reports that the director revealed this during a Tax Summit – Citizens Session organised by PERL FCDO in collaboration with Tax Justice and Governance Platform held in Kano metropolis.
He recalled that the pandemic has affected not only the country, but global economy.
The director explained that this necessitated the state government to introduce Covid-19 tax relief to cushion the effect of the pandemic.
According to him, many taxes were reduced to as low as 50 per cent to support businesses to recover from the impact of the disease.
Participants
“Last year, we experienced COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has affected the economy not even in Kano State, but globally.
“This led to Covid-19 tax relief where certain percentage of tax was reduced.
“Some were reduced to 50 per cent and some were reduced to 25 per cent.
“I believe these are some of the factors that led to drop of collection. But with economic recovery from Covid-19, believe things will definitely improve,” Malam Bichi said.
Participants
The director expressed optimism that with the introduction of Treasury Single Account, the state revenue would bounce back to its former status.
“There is hope bearing in mind the implementation of Treasury Single Account where all authorised tax collected by MDAs will be sent to single account,” he said.
The patron of Danbatta Traders Association Lawan Dangaji Danbatta appealed to Kano state government to provide basic infrastructure in markets and business places to encourage traders to pay their promptly.
Alhaji Lawan Dangaji Danbatta
In his remarks, the state team leader Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), Isa Surajo, said the meeting was to bring citizens and all stakeholders in tax-related matters under one roof to brainstorm and forge a way forward.
Malam Isa Surajo
“Tax provides resources for government to provide development. Once the government is struggling to get money that will be used to improve the lives of the citizens, it becomes so challenging.
“One of the strategies, we believe is to get those who pay the tax to get involved on how best these resources could be raised, so that social services and other development required by the citizens would be provided by the government.
“Of recent, we have noticed how budget deficit has been affecting the development of Kano State and Nigeria.
“But by getting citizens to participate to talk about the tax and how best to raise the tax for the government, we will get enough money to get children to school and make sure basic healthcare delivery services are provided.
“This is because it is only when you have educated and healthy citizens, the development is ensured,” Malam Surajo said.
Presenting a paper entitled: ‘Challenges and Opportunities of IGR in Kano State: Preliminary Findings,’ Abdulsalam Muhammad Kani, identified poor capacity of tax collectors and high cost of tax collection as major challenges of tax collection in the state.
Other challenges identified, according to Kani, include non punishment or sanction of tax defaulters, inadequate oversight by the legislature on tax issues and failure to create more departments in the Kano Inland Revenue Service (KIRS).
The first Kano tax summit is an avenue to broaden the discourse on taxation and to explore issues such as tax policies and practices, emerging development in the tax system and implication for resourcing public service delivery and development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has commended Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf for allocating the largest share of 2025 budget to education sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Co-chair of the coalition Dr. Auwalu Halilu made the commendation during 2025 budget public hearing organised by state House of Assembly.
It will be recalled that Gov. Yusuf had allocated the sum ₦168.4 billion to education sector representing 31% of ₦549.16 billion proposed 2025 budget.
However, Dr. Halilu appealed to Kano state government to expedite the approval and implementation of girls education policy, teacher development policy, non state schools policy and the ECCD policy.
K-safe advocated for speedy passage of the revised Kano education law, expediting engagement with UBEC for timely release of counterpart funds as well as restoring free education funding.
The coalition also advocated for the creation of budget line for annual operational plan, expanding girls transportation and enhancing oversight on MTSS/AESR.
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) is a coalition of civil society organizations, professional associations, academia, media, and government entities working collaboratively to support education in Kano State.
In his address the speaker of the House Alhaji Jibril Ismail Falgore represented by Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu pledged to treat the submissions with utmost respect.
He expressed appreciation to all those who participated in this year’s budget public hearing in the Assembly.
Butu-Butu used the medium to extend condolences to CSOs over the death of I. G Maryam and Prof. Jibrin Isa Diso.
Also speaking the chairman House committee on appropriation, Alhaji Aminu Sa’adu Ungoggo reiterated the assembly’s commitment in passing a-citizens-oriented budget.
He stressed that the house will scrutinize the inputs for possible inclusion into the budget to align with the yearnings and aspirations of the public.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, along with five commissioners, and scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff.
KANO FOCUS reports that those removed include the Commissioner for Information, Halilu Baba Dantiye; Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
In a major cabinet reshuffle announced in a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf reassigned the portfolios of seven commissioners, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who was moved from Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Ministry of Higher Education.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf said the reshuffle of the state executive council is meant to effect a pragmatic political realignment of his administration.
Those who retained their positions include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud; Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran; Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Musa Suleiman Shannon; and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad.
Also retained are the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefianu Hamza; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Auwal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris (Rtd).
According to the statement, those reassigned include Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who is moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman, who moved from Science and Technology to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim K/Mata, from Higher Education to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Others reassigned include Hon. Amina Abdullahi, who moved from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry for Women, Children, and Disabled; Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the Ministry of Special Duties.
Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, is now moved to the Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Haruna Doguwa of the Ministry of Education is moved to the Ministry of Water Resources. On the reassigned list are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda, moved from Water Resources to the Ministry of Education; Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji, from the Ministry of Women, Children, and Disabled to Tourism; and Hon. Muhammad Diggol, from Transport to the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet, including Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye of Information; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
Additionally, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners who have been dropped to report to the Governor’s office for possible reassignment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, formally received the accreditation report for the Early Childhood Education and Primary Education programs on Wednesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the report was presented by the accreditation team from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The team, led by Professor Bashir Maina of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, commended BUK for its substantial investment in e-library resources, which significantly enhance learning and research for both staff and students.
Professor Maina also praised the university’s impressive achievements in the development of physical infrastructure.
In his remarks, Professor Abbas expressed appreciation for the accreditation team’s visit, emphasizing the importance of such evaluations in fostering continuous improvement across all aspects of the university’s operations.
He reaffirmed BUK’s commitment to upholding quality and standards in all its programs, aligning them with global best practices.
The Vice Chancellor assured the team that their recommendations would be addressed promptly.
Other members of the accreditation team included Professor Amos Isiaka Gambari from Federal University, Minna; Professor Markus Zira Kamkwis from Adamawa State University, Mubi; and NUC representative, Nuruddeen Musa Umar.
K-SAFE lauds Kano’s ₦168.4 billion education budget allocation
AGILE launches ‘second chance’ learning centers in Gwarzo
Gov Yusuf reshuffles cabinet, sacks SSG, chief of staff
VC BUK receives accreditation report for early childhood, primary education programmes
Post Harvest Loss: Kano Partners Aviation Industry to Advance Export of Agricultural Produces
Ulama Forum faults Tax Reform Bills, backs northern governors
GovernorYusuf, deputy, Grace Turbanning of New Chiroman Kano
Rep member Tijjani advocates for homeschooling to address educational challenges
Friday Sermon: Encouraging Islamic Education Reduces Crime In The Society!
