Headlines
Northern CSOs write Buhari over insecurity, high cost of living

Nasiru Yusuf
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) based in the north has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address insecurity and “high cost of living” in the country.
KANO FOCUS reports that the CSOs have also alerted President Buhari that Nigerians are dying due to the rising cost of living occasioned by the high rate of inflation.
According to them, the country’s inflation rate stood at a four-year high, standing at more than 18 percent increase in March 2021, with food prices going high by almost 23 percent during the same period.
They projected that another 30 million Nigerians could slip into poverty arising from the fact that they may not be able to feed their families if fuel subsidy was removed.

They contended that the proposal to remove the subsidy, despite the strong points, deserves a rethink.
“It is our honest submission that removal of fuel subsidy could only be perceptible when our refineries are fixed and operate maximally or they are privatised to allow private business to own and operate them,” the group said.
The CSOs, under the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, in a letter signed by Ibrahim Waiya of Kano civil society forum and Ibrahim Yusuf, the chairman and the secretary of the coalition, respectively, said the threat to the security of lives and properties calls for urgent concern.
Other signatories to the letter are Idris Muraina, Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET); Ibrahim Tudu, Zamfara Coalition of NGOs (ZASCONS); Abdulrahman Abdullahi, Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Katisna; Ibrahim Yusuf, Association of NGOs, Gombe; and Muhammad Basrika, Network of Civil Society Organisations, Jigawa.
Others are Ibrahim Shuni, Coalition of NGOs in Sokoto; Emmanuel Bonet, Concerned Civil Society, Kaduna; Jinjiri Garba, Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations (BASNEC); Habila Kudu, NGOs Forum, Niger; Peter Egwudah, Network of Adamawa Non-Governmental Organisations; Baba Shehu, Network of Yobe Civil Society Organisations; and Joseph Gimba, Coalition for Civil Society Organisations in Taraba.
Ade Bodunde, Kwara State Coalition of NGOs; Bulama Abiso, Network of Civil Society Organisations, Borno; Shimenenge Kyaagba, Benue Network of NGOs; Usman Ali, Coalition of NGOs in Kebbi; Solomon Enjola, Nasarawa NGO Network; and Gad Peter, Coalition of NGOs, Plateau, also signed the letter.

Headlines
Salary fraud: Kano uncovers N28m in local government payroll

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.

Headlines
Governor Yusuf Signs Laws Establishing Four New Agencies in Kano

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.

Headlines
UTME: Kano suspends end of month sanitation exercise

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
In a bid to ensure the smooth conduct of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the Kano State Government has temporarily suspended the April 2025, End of month sanitation exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that this decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, in an effort to allow students of Kano State to write their examination without any hitches.

In a statement issued by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Garba Gwammaja has quoted the Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim saying that:
“The suspension is aimed at preventing any potential disruptions to the examination process and ensuring that candidates can sit for their exams without any hindrance.”
The Commissioner assured residents that the suspension is temporary for this month, and that the sanitation exercise will resume in its full force next month May 2025, in the state.
The Commissioner however, appeals to residents to cooperate with the authorities and understand the rationale behind this decision.
“We are committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our sanitation activities do not conflict with other important events in the state,” the commissioner said.
While Commending the residents for their understanding and cooperation to the present administration, urged them to continue to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste and cooperates with our sanitation staff to ensure clean and healthy environment always, and pray for the successful conduct of students who will sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
