Headlines
Insecurity: Kano approves recruitment of 1,004 forest guards
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state Executive Council has approved the the recruitment of 704 forest guards officers on casual basis for the 404 grazing reserves under the state ministry of agriculture and natural resources.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for information, Muhammad Garba, announced this on Saturday while briefing newsman on the outcome of the weekly council meeting, which held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.
Garba said the council has approved the recruitment of 300 forest range for the forest estates under the ministry of environment.
The forest guards were hitherto used as security operatives to protect game reserves against invasion of criminals and illegal activities.
The council according to the commissioner has approved the constitution of a committee to draft a harmonized retirement age for teachers in the state effective January, 2022.
It, however, said that while the extension would require increase in personnel cost (salaries) and other emolument for teachers which the provision is not provided in the 2021 budget, there is the need to allow the commencement of the new policy to be effective, this year.
He said the committee has been mandated to constitute the necessary cause for action towards implementing this laudable initiative for the benefit of the education sector in the state.
Garba pointed out that the committee, is also to review the scheme and condition of service in the state with a view to accommodate the new retirement age of teachers from 35 years of service and 60 years of age to 40 years of service and 65 years of age respectively.
The commissioner added that the council has given approval for the release of N23, 373, 794.33 million for the construction one block of four classrooms and one block of 6-seater VIP toilets at Farawa community in Kumbotso local government area.
He also revealed that the council has approved the award of contract worth N344, 000, 000.00 million to Harmonised Systems Limited for the procurement of 100 Hyundai 2010 cars under the pilot Kano Bus Mass Transit Project.
The council, he said, has also approved the upward review of the contract rates for the completion of Kwarin Akuya-Danrimi-Sabon Birni, Kurnar Asabe Road in Fagge local government area awarded in 2019, with the augmentation of the sum of N191, 026, 423.49 to cover the high rise in prices of construction materials.
The commissioner stated that the council has also approved the revised total cost on contract for the construction of 2-coat surface dressed road network at NNDC Quarters, Sharada, with augmentation of N57, 052, 294.26 million as additional funds in the project.
Garba further disclosed that the council has approve the revalidation of contract for the provision of sports facilities at Yusuf Maitama Sule University awarded in 2014 at the cost of N29, 691, 613.60 million.
The project, which he said, consists of construction of football pitch, two standard Basketball Court, two standard Handball Court, standard Hockey and Lawn Tennis Pitch, has now been now been revalidated and the contract revised to N145, 299, 258.43 million to cover the prevailing rise in the cost of construction materials.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
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