Headlines
Kano approves N500m contract for beautification of Kofar Ruwa underpass

Aminu Abdullahi
Kano state Executive Council has approved the contract for the supply and placement of polished Nigerian granite at Tijjani Hashim (Galadiman Kano) Underpass at the cost of N525, 435, 750.00 million.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba announced this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the council’s weekly meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.
Garba said the project is aimed at controlling the high level of dampness, modernizing and further beautifying the existing structure.
He stated that approval has been given by the council for the revised estimate of contract for the placement of polished granite to cover retaining walls of the existing Underpass at Panshekara/Madobi Road Junction at an augmented cost of N65, 709, 198.00 million.

The commissioner further announced that a contract award has been approved by the council for the reconstruction of 3.35 kilometre Kwanar Gogori (off Shanono Road)-Gogori Town Road in Bagwai local government at the cost of N290, 265, 511.33 million.
The project, when completed, he said, would boost agricultural-cum-commercial activities and ease the transportation of both dry and rainy season’s farm produce, poultry and animal husbandry.
He said other approvals by the counvil is ratification of determination of contract for the completion of Kanye-Kabo-Dubagau Road at the cost of N1, 640, 524, 143.83 billion.
Government approves N26m for sponsored students’ upkeep in India
The commissioner explained that other approvals by the council include the release of N25, 559, 600.00 million for the payment of outstanding tuition fees, upkeep allowances and airfare for 30 state sponsored students of Medicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy and Information and Communication technTechnology at SSIMS and RC, Dayananga Sagar College of Pharmacy Medicine/ Dayananga Sagar University and Dayananga Sagar College of Physiotherapy, India.
Other approvals by the council, according to him, include digitization programmes of Kano state public schools at the cost of N32, 940, 000.00 million and the release of N19, 800, 000.00 million for the hosting and sponsorship of an annual tournament to immortalize the former Head of State, Late General Murtala Ramat Muhammad.
Garba added that approval has been given for the release of N22, 220, 000.00 million for the conduct of a two-day technical workshop on agency banking to Qur’anic teachers (Alarammomi) as part of measures to empower Tsangaya schools to become self-reliant and create poverty/begging free Tsangaya dwellers.
The commissioner explained that basic equipment/materials needed for each Tsangaya school to be effectively initiated into the agency banking industry include finger biometric machine, laptop, camera, POS android device, among others.

Headlines
FG commissions National Cybersecurity Centre in BUK

Aminu Abdullahi
In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 commissioned a state-of-the-art National Cybersecurity Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

KANO FOCUS reports that the facility, unveiled, is poised to become a national hub for digital defense, innovation and talent development.

Dr. Jide Ajayi cutting the tape during the opening ceremony
Speaking during the commissioning, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the center as more than just a physical structure—“a national asset”.
Represented by Dr. Jide Ajayi from the Zonal Coordination Department, Abdullahi noted that the Centre represents a strategic intervention to enhance cybersecurity education, research and cross-sector collaboration across Nigeria.
“This is not just the unveiling of a facility, it is the activation of a knowledge-driven platform designed to equip our nation with the tools, talent and infrastructure required to safeguard our digital space and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” he stated.
He added that the center aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint, serving as a springboard for collaboration among government, academia and industry stakeholders. It will support research, hands-on training, and act as a resource hub for regional and national partners working to secure Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s leadership for what he described as a visionary and transformative investment in Nigeria’s higher education and national development.

Group picture taken during opening ceremony
“This Centre is more than just a building—it is a symbol of foresight, partnership and the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping our universities with critical infrastructure for 21st-century education,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the entire Bayero University community is agog with happiness,” he added.
The event was well attended by a distinguished audience, including the Principal Officers of Bayero University, senior management staff from BUK, NITDA, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of academic and administrative staff, along with enthusiastic participation from students..

Headlines
Kwankwaso denies taking position on rumoured defection to APC

The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.

A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”

Headlines
Emir Sanusi commends AGILE for renovating over 1,300 schools in Kano

The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.

Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.

The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.

AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.

AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.

Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.

AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
