Headlines
Kano sets up screening committee on International Islamic organisations
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state government has constituted a screening committee on humanitarian activities by international Islamic religious foundations operating in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba disclosed this on Sunday while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly council meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.
Garba said the committee is to produce template on the regulation and operation of such foundations that are being run by some individual, clerics or organizations and making impact on the development of the state in the area of education, water supply, building schools, mosques, orphanage welfare and other religious activities.
The state commissioner indicated that the measure would ensure documentation of such organizations for proper monitoring, evaluation and assessment.
Mr Garba said the screening committee would also establish the legitimacy of such international organisations, examine their profile, registration certificates, contacts attachment and source of funding.
He said the committee is to be chaired by the Chief Imam of Kano, Sani Zaharaddeen while the state commissioner for religious affairs, Muhammad Tahar Adam will serve as co-chair.
According to him the composition of the committee has representatives from the Qadiriyya, IZala and Tijjaniyya sects, the state police command, Department of State Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Vigilante Group.
The rest are Muslim Lawyers Association, Bureau for Land Management, Kano state Urban Planning and Development Authority, Ministries of Justice, Education and that of Health as well as the Emirate Council.
Kano to complete long abandoned N7bn road project
Mr Garba said Kano Executive Council has given approval for the completion of the multi-million naira long abandoned Janguza-Durum-Kabo-Karaye Road awarded in 2010.
He said the contract for the road project, which was initially awarded by the administration of Ibrahim Shekarau at the cost of N3, 424, 010, 877.00 billion had to be reviewed to N7, 020, 139, 700.55 billion, based on the scope of work from two coat layer surface dressing to asphaltic concrete wearing course.
He said the while the contractor accepted the new price and re-mobilized to site and works progress, the ministry of Works and Infrastructure noted the financial constraint of the state, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic effects on the global economy and re-scope the project from asphaltic concrete surfacing back to two-coat surface dressing and therefore re-scoped the project and put it at the sum of N5, 605, 424, 417.44 billion.
Garba further explained that the council, however, rejected the proposed downward review of project cost which reflected a reduction of over two billion naira in order to allow for the execution of quality job and also to take care of the prevailing escalation in the prices of construction materials.
The commissioner pointed out that the project would be jointly finance between the state government and benefitting local government councils of Kabo, Karaye and Rimin Gado on 50-50 bases contribution.
Garba also announced the council’s ratification of approval for the award of contract for the construction of Ganduje-Landigel-Jalli Road at the cost of N863, 148, 176.40 million.
Another approval, he said, include the sum of N89, 952, 927.65 million for the provision of facial recognition system at both domestic and international wings of Malam Aminu Kano International Airport as part of effort to strengthen security and contend with the global best practices on counter terrorism and detection on highly profiled criminal on watch list.
The commissioner further revealed that the approval has also been given by the council for the award of contract for the provision of flood control measures at Bichi Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force at the sum of N42, 643, 899.58 million.
He said the following approvals were also given by the council for the facilitation of additional structures at Government Secondary School Unguwar Rimi in Tofa local government at the cost of N25, 176, 081.18 million; release of N49, 994, 364.22 million for repairs and renovation of dilapidated structures at Government Secondary School Kiru Yamma in Kiru local government and renovation and repairs of burnt structure caused by fire incidence at Government Science Secondary School Dawakin Kudu at the contract sum of N24, 710, 026.22 million.
The commissioner added that the council has approved the release of N17, 935, 050.00 million to facilitate payment of 2019 book/project allowance for the 350 bonded medical students.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
One Year Without Baba: A Son’s Tribute to Alhaji Yusuf Hassan
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
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Two suspected bandits killed, N10m ransom recovered in Kano
Gov Yusuf Joins APC Leaders at Kaduna Presidential Campaign Flag-Off as Kano Delegation Draws Attention
