News
Kano Academics join tax justice campaign
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano office of Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn PERL in collaboration with Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC) has take tax justice campaign to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the academics said they would embark on advocacy for tax justice to bridge the gap between tax payers and tax collectors.
The dialogue held Weekend, was to promote dialogue in tax justice matter and demystifying the proposed Kano state Medium Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS).
The Head of Economics Department of the College, Aminu Harbau in an interview, disclosed that the academia has a vital role to play in taxation matters.

Dr Aminu Harbau
He explained that lack of information and sustainable advocacy created a lot of misunderstanding on the subject matter.
Harbau stressed that the dialogue was a wake up call for the academia to wake into the issue to bridge the communication gap.
On his part, the Chairman Joint Consultative Forum of Tertiary Institutions Kano Chapter, Kamal Sulaiman, said it was obligatory for the union to begin educating citizens on the taxation.

Dr Kamal Sulaiman
Sulaiman said, “At a time when the world economy faces a lot of challenges, there is absolute need for collective responsibility to economic diversification and through taxation.”
Also speaking at the dialogue, the Chairman Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, Sa’adatu Rimi branch, Inuwa Ishaq said the academia is a bedrock in the society.

Dr. Inuwa Ishaq
He said, “Tax is all about governance without which no government can survive, being the major source of revenue generation.”
He sighted an example with the inability for governments to pay salaries at states’ level without depending on Federal government subvention.
He pledged the union’s commitment to assist the government in advocating to citizens to pay tax, and also to follow up on the government to ensure tax for service.
Abdussalam Kani also of Economics Department if the College, highlighted on the role of the academia in changing the narratives around taxation for governance.

Dr. Abdussalam Muhammad Kani
He said academia is all about research to provide facts and the department would intensify efforts to ensure quality research to be used for advocacy.
Kani said, “Our basic responsibility in the academia is research, teaching and offering community services.”
“We are expected to give much attention to research than teaching because its only with research new knowledge can be established and gaps can be bridged.”
In a presentation, Saied Tafida of the National Team Lead Follow Taxes, highlighted on the need for corporate responsibility in accounting for tax.
He explained the need for tax payers to pay taxes on time and to follow up on what the tax they paid was utilised for.
Tafida further advocated for people to identify their rights as citizens and as tax payer and be responsible in paying their dues.
Headlines
Dabo’s resignation triggers wave of defections from APC in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Headlines
Five Kano Pillars Amputee Players Invited to Special Eagles Camp Ahead of World Cup
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
News
BUK Professor advocates microfinance to tackle food insecurity, poverty
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Professor Muhammad Ahmad Makarfi of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has identified inclusive microfinance as a critical tool for addressing food insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Makarfi, of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, made the recommendation while delivering the university’s 64th Professorial Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, October 14, 2026, at the CBN Centre of Excellence.
The lecture, titled *“Innovative Options for Nigeria’s Food Security and Poverty Alleviation: The Microfinance Pathway to Sustainable Development,”* examined how improved access to affordable financing could boost agricultural production and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The professor said that despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources, food production and rural livelihoods continued to face challenges, including limited access to affordable finance, insecurity, climate change, inadequate infrastructure and low agricultural productivity.
He argued that expanding access to agricultural finance, particularly for smallholder farmers, would encourage investment, improve productivity and strengthen the country’s food security.
Prof. Makarfi reviewed Nigeria’s agricultural financing policies and interventions, highlighting the need for innovative credit delivery systems that would make funding more accessible, affordable and sustainable for farmers.
He identified microfinance institutions and Islamic finance models as potential avenues for improving access to agricultural credit.
In his recommendations, the professor said sustainable food security and poverty reduction required policies that prioritised increased domestic agricultural production through better access to finance, modern technologies, quality farm inputs and markets.
He also called for stronger microfinance institutions, expanded farmer-friendly financing mechanisms and an enabling environment to attract investment across the agricultural value chain.
According to him, such measures would improve agricultural productivity, enhance livelihoods and accelerate Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, who chaired the lecture, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni.
Prof. Musa commended the lecturer for choosing a topic that addressed critical issues surrounding food insecurity, livelihoods and agricultural development.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Aminu Sulaiman, who presented the lecturer’s citation, said Mr Makarfi had published more than 150 local and international publications, contributed 10 book chapters and authored eight books.
Professor Mahmoud Ibrahim Daneji, who represented the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, delivered the vote of thanks.
