Headlines
FG empowers 42 persons living with disabilities in Northwest
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal Government has begun a three-day entrepreneurship skills development programme for 42 Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) across the seven states in the North-West, to enhance their economic empowerment and livelihoods.
KANO FOCUS reports that the states are Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara.
The training exercise was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouk, stated this at the inauguration of the exercise on Wednesday in Kano.
She said that six participants drawn from each of the seven states of the region would get N100,000 each as start-up capital.
Umar-Farouq said that elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against PWDs and empowering them economically through provision of skills training would go a long way in paving the way for unbundling their full potentials.
Mrs Nkechi Nwukwe
The minister represented by Mrs Nkechi Nwukwe, Director, Special Needs of the ministry, said government was mindful of the importance of disability as a development issue.
“The entrepreneurial skills offer new opportunities for everyone, but these opportunities are especially more significant for PWDs, particularly with an already higthened level of poverty being experienced among PWDs in Nigeria and it’s attendant consequences.
“Our gathering here today is to enable us to explore greater possibilities in our collective quest to combat challenges confronting the advancement of persons with disabilities for sustainable national development.
“I understand that livelihood interventions are critical to addressing economic challenges and therefore the present administrations goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2029 cannot be achieved without full involvement of persons with disabilities,” she said.
Cross section of participants
She said the participants would be exposed to modern techniques in fish farming, phone repairs and cosmetic production.
The minister urged the beneficiaries to be active in confronting the challenges of disability with determination, courage and confidence.
“I, therefore, want to encourage the participants to be active, alive and firmly confront the challenges of disability with determination, courage and confidence.
“I implore you to maximise the opportunities of this workshop to improve your livelihood and also contribute your quotas to nation building,” she said.
In his remark, Dr Nasir Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the workshop was designed to expose the participants to entrepreneurship skills that would make them self-reliant.
Represented by Mr Garba Magaji, the Permanent Secretary said the Federal Government had accorded priority to the care and development of the vulnerable, especially PWDs in the country.
According to him, the training exercise, the third in its series will be implementated across the six geopolitical zones, to address some of the challenges affecting PWDs.
“It will address issues of inclusiveness among PWDs, especially regarding income generating activities, equipping them with necessary skills to ensure sustainable livelihood and developing their entrepreneurial competencies to favourably compete in the business environment,” he said.
Dr Zara’u Muhammad Umar
Earlier, Dr Zara’u Muhammad, Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the state government would continue to adopt proactive measures to enhance support services to the PWDs.
While commending the gesture, Muhammad reitrated the government commitment to empower and support people living with disabilities in the state.
One of the participants, Malam Ali Idi, lauded the gesture, adding that it would empower them to become self-reliant.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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