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Concerned citizens advocate review of free education policy in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
A group of concerned citizens have called for the review of free and compulsory education policy in Kano to accommodate community and parents’ intervention.
KANO FOCUS reports that the citizens made the demand during a one-day citizens dialogue on funding for education organized by PERL-ECP, held in Kano metropolis.
The Registered participants numbered 86 consist of academic, private business owners, corporate practitioners, administrators, policy makers, Journalists, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders.
The communique issued at the end of the event and signed by Auwalu Halilu observed the need for Citizens group and private sector to submit proposal in support for the state particularly Girl education.
It also observed the need for the consideration of out of school children in the 2022 Budget most especially under the Agency for Mass Education Kano.

Speaking at the occasion, the Dean, Student Affairs of Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano, Ya’u Datti described the present primary school basics as one of the major problems to girl child education.
According to him, the primary school basis was not up to standard as students were rushed through primary schools without due process, which often results in producing half baked graduates.
The Dean charged government and relevant stakeholders to merge science and technology through development of skills acquisition among students most especially among the girl child.
“Our primary school basis is not up to standard. Parents are eager to sent their children to secondary schools without due process,” he said.
Earlier, in her remarks, director, Engaged Citizens Pillar (ECP), Hajiya Hajara Sulaiman said Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL) was committed to strengthening institutional coordination and partnerships for use of resources and accountability on girls education.
She noted that the dialogue would devise solutions around policy changes in the Nigerian educational sector.
Hajiya Hajara urged participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained.
Presenting their papers titled “Opportunities to compliment 2022 budget” and ” Overview of Girl Education in the 2022 budget, Coordinator of the Kano State Budget working group, Comrade Safiyanu Lawan Bichi and Akibu Hamisu identified political will, well established emirate authority and education partnership as some of the oppourtunities for girl education.
They called on citizens and CSOs to actively participate in existing exclusive education policy and new policies aimed at upgrading girl child education and follow up to ensure implementation of policies and programs.
They argued that “Capacity among school based management committee, High level of women in advocacy, mother’s association and education partnership will go a long way in boosting educational standard.”
Some of the the panelists Mairo Bello, and the District Head of Gandun Albasa, Alkasim Yakubu called for the inclusion of traditional institutions in constitutional roles for the smooth implementation of the free and compulsory education for all.
KANO FOCUS reports that the dialogue tagged: Exploring Funding Resources for the Girl Child Education Budget 2022 in Kano” witnessed large turn out of participants drawn from all works of life.
Headlines
GATCOSA President, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago is dead
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Headlines
BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
Headlines
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State on Tuesday rolled out the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and improve access to timely healthcare across the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, commended the governor for procuring 20 ambulances for the programme, describing the initiative as a strategic step to align the state with ongoing national emergency health interventions. He noted that a formal inauguration of the scheme would be held at a later date.

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf
Dr. Yusuf said the ambulances would play a critical role in transporting pregnant women to hospitals during labour, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality. He added that any patient conveyed to a hospital through the scheme would have their transportation costs covered by the government.
He also called on members of the Guild of Medical Directors to support the initiative by procuring additional ambulances to complement government efforts.

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf inspecting the ambulances
According to the commissioner, the vehicles are expected to respond to distress calls within the shortest possible time, ensuring prompt medical attention for residents in need.
Dr. Yusuf further stated that KN-SEMSAS would provide free, coordinated pre-hospital and emergency care services statewide. He described the establishment of the system as a major milestone in strengthening emergency medical response, reducing preventable deaths, and improving access to life-saving care for the people of Kano State.
The event was attended by the Director-General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency, Pharmacist Ghali Sule; the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KASCHMA), Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar; and the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Mahmoud Adamu Abbas.

Group Picture
Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of various stakeholders, including the Lafiya Project, the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), and the Kano State Fire Service, among others.
