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NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa Bags ICT Personality of the Year Award 2021

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Nasiru Yusuf

The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has been honoured with the “ICT Personality of the Year Award 2021.”

KANO FOCUS reports Abdullahi was honoured on Friday by the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR) at the end of a 3-day workshop on “Digital Journalism, Media Ethics and Responsible Reporting” at PRNigeria Centre Kano State.

The Cordinator of NADIR, Dahiru Lawal described Kashifu as a focused advocate of digital literacy and inclusions towards economic prosperity of Nigeria.

Lawan, an award-winning fact-checking specialist pointed out that under Kashifu’s watch, NITDA has achieved significant impact through the launch of programmes such as the Nigeria Digital Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Startup Policy (NDIESP), NITDA Digital Innovation Entrepreneurship Centre, and the state-of-the-art Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) among others.

In the citation, NADIR coordinator said: “NITDA has supported the establishment several IT hubs, innovation and incubation parks, IT community centres and IT capacity-building centres in higher institutions of learning, as well as in unserved and under-served communities across the country.

“In addition, the agency organized capacity building and entrepreneurship training  programmes for thousands of artisans, Women,  IT centres managers across the country. It also organized innovation contests such as Future-Hack, where participants receive funding and mentorship to develop marketable products and services.

“NITDA programmes have created employment for thousands of youth by supported hundreds of start-ups, IT hubs and ecosystem through Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision (NIIEV). It also created Virtual Startup Clinic, for young people to meet with mentors, successful entrepreneurs, investors, industry specialists, business consultants and hub operators.

“The National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) and Massive Online Open Courses initiatives are two flagship projects of NITDA to transform the critical sectors of agricultural and tertiary education, as well as delivery of digital skills and literacy to Nigerians with distributions computers in promoting digital literacy. Through the clearance of IT projects of MDAs, NITDA has continued to save billions of Naira for the economy.

Meanwhile, the Digital Journalism workshop organised by Image Merchants Promotion Ltd (IMPR) in conjunction Penlight Centre for investigative Journalism was supported by NITDA and Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.

IMPR is the Publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Tech Digest, Politics Digest and other titles.

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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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UTME: Kano suspends end of month sanitation exercise

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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).

 

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