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IBK decries diminishing of idea, philosophy in universities

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Nasiru Yusuf

Academic at Bayero University, Ibrahim Bello-Kano (IBK), has challenged universities globally to address the fast declining of knowledge production and truth, freedom of speech in which universities were established and known for.

KANO FOCUS reports that the academic made the remarks at the 3rd Social Sciences Lecture titled “The Treasure-House of Signs: The University as Pastiche” held at Musa Abdullahi Auditorium.

IBK, a Professor of English and European Literature, said universities had turned into mere signs, structures, logos and buildings rather than true producers of new knowledge and innovation.

The scholar argued that in the areas of cutting-edge research, universities are no match for the big corporations but merely contribute research assistance and versatile professors.

“Indeed all that these disciplines do these days is repeating, redressing, recycling, and de-deifying well-known models of knowledge in their respective areas,” he argued.

He concluded that one way by which University staff and unions could cope with the new, de-constructing vision of the university is to resort to or adopt laughter and to laugh it all off.

In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor, Sagir Adamu Abbas, who was represented by the University Librarian, Musa A. Auyo, lauded the faculty for organizing such important activity and urged other faculties to take a cue.

He described the lecture as unique, adding that the Chairman, the lecturer and the discussant were not from the faculty of social sciences which portrayed professionalism and versatility of the faculty.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean of Social Sciences,  Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, said academic institutions have a long history of public lectures delivered by prominent, eminent and famous experts.

He said the faculty has carefully chosen the distinguished senior professors who are intellectually well-known, IBK and Abdalla Uba Adamu as the lecturer and discussant respectively.

In his remarks, the discussant, Abdalla Uba Adamu commended the paper and charged the university academics to interrogate themselves on reasons why they were at the university.

He charged senior academics to imbibe the culture of mentorship which he said would go a long way in grooming younger generations.

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Salary fraud: Kano uncovers N28m in local government payroll

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Government has uncovered irregularities in the payroll system of local government councils, as no fewer than 247 staff members were discovered to have either retired from service or died.

KANO FOCUS reports that the discovery revealed that the names of the affected local government staff have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running.

A statement by the Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State GovernmenMusa Tanko Muhammad, said these fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.

“In a decisive move towards cleansing the state payroll, the Kano State Government has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the state civil service.

“Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of local government councils.

“The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or died yet, have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for the month of March, 2025 alone.

“In a prompt and effective response and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the recovery underscores the administration’s dedication at entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.

“The government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities.

“Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement added.

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Governor Yusuf Signs Laws Establishing Four New Agencies in Kano

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Mukhtar Yahya Usman

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The newly signed laws provide for the establishment of the following agencies:

1. Kano State Protection Agency (KASPA)

2. Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency (KASIAA)

3. Kano State Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency (KASITDA)

4. Kano State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KASMEDA)

These laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.

Governor Yusuf described the signing as a significant step toward realizing his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.

He emphasized that the new agencies will play a crucial role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.

“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the Governor stated.

He also issued a strong warning that violations of the provisions of these laws will be met with strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.

The establishment of these agencies reflects Governor Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.

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World Bank appoints Aliko Dangote to Elite Group

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

 

…Tasks him to drive Investment and job creations in emerging economies

 

 

The President and Chief Executive of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has been appointed to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, joining a select group of global business leaders tasked with driving investment and job creation in emerging economies.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that in a statement confirming his acceptance, the African industrialist reaffirmed his commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth through private sector-led investment, noting the transformative potential of such initiatives in developing markets.

 

“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said.

 

“This opportunity aligns with my long-standing commitment to sustainable development and unlocking the potential of developing economies. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable successes of the Asian Tigers, which have demonstrated the power of strategic investment and focused economic policy, I am eager to collaborate with fellow leaders to replicate such outcomes across other regions.”

 

The Dangote Group, founded by Aliko Dangote, is the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent. With interests spanning cement, fertiliser, salt, sugar, and oil, the Group employs over 30,000 people and is the largest taxpayer in Nigeria—contributing more in taxes than all of Nigeria’s banks combined. It is also the country’s largest employer after the government.

 

The $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals, the Group’s flagship project, stands as the largest single private investment in Africa.

 

In addition to his business interests, Dangote leads the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the largest private foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor. The Foundation primarily focuses on child nutrition, while also supporting interventions in health, education, empowerment, and disaster relief.

 

The World Bank announced Dangote’s appointment on Wednesday as part of a broader expansion of its Private Sector Investment Lab, which now enters a new phase aimed at scaling up solutions to attract private capital and create jobs in the developing world.

 

Joining Dangote in the elite group are Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer AG; Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chair of Bharti Enterprises; and Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

 

The World Bank said the expanded membership brings together business leaders with proven track records in generating employment in developing economies—supporting the Bank’s sharpened focus on job creation as a central pillar of global development.

 

“With the expanded membership, we are mainstreaming this work across our operations and tying it directly to the jobs agenda that is driving our strategy,” said World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “This isn’t about altruism—it’s about helping the private sector see a path to investments that will deliver returns, and lift people and economies alike. It’s central to our mandate.”

 

The global bank said that over the last 18 months, the Lab brought together leaders from global financial institutions to identify the most pressing barriers to private sector investment in developing countries and to test actionable solutions.

 

The statement said that the work had now been consolidated into five priority focus areas that were being integrated across the bank operations, including regulatory and policy certainty.

 

The Lab’s founding members included senior executives from AXA, BlackRock, HSBC, Macquarie, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Ninety One, Ping An Group, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy for All, Tata Sons, Temasek, and Three Cairns Group. The Lab is chaired by Shriti Vadera, Chair of Prudential plc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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