Headlines
Gales of defection rocks Kano APC as Ganduje’s Chief of staff, Kofa, Sumaila defect to NNPP

Nasiru Yusuf
The gale of defection in Kano APC continued on Friday, with the chief of staff to governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Ali Makoda, Director General of Bola Tinubu’s pesidential campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin, and former Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Affairs Kawu Sumaila, dumped the party and joined the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

KANO FOCUS reports that Makoda announced his defection to NNPP on Friday shortly after tendering his resignation letter to governor Ganduje.
He has since visited the residence of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso with other other notable politicians who defected along with him.
Notable among those who defected from APC to NNPP is the Director General of Bola Tinubu’s pesidential campaign, Abdulmumin Jibrin.
The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, few days ago, announced on his social media handle of his decision to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to irreconcilable differences in the party.
Although, he was silent on his next political move, his defection to NNPP may have dealt a major blow on Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
Another prominent politician who announced his defection to NNPP on Friday is former Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legislative Affairs Kawu Sumaila.
Although, Sumaila did not issue any formal complaint and reason for leaving APC, the former minority leader of House of Representatives mobilised APC members and loyalists to denounce APC.
Others are member representing Dambatta/Makoda Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Badamasi Ayuba, member representing Dambatta in the state House of Assembly and Murtala Musa Kore and serving chairman of Dambatta Local Government Council Abdullahi Wango.
The remaining politicians who defected to NNPP on Friday include the State Auditor of APC, Ahmed Speaker; zonal APC Youth Leader, Najib Abdussalam; former chairman of Makoda Local Government, Umar Maitsidau; former member of the House of Assembly representing Rimingado/Tofa Halliru Danga Maigari, and former member of the state House of Assembly representing Dambatta Constituency Hafizu Sani Maidaji.
The former governor of Kano and Senator Ibrahim Shekarau representing Kano Central may formally announce his defection from the APC this weekend.
It was gathered that Shekarau’s decision to dump APC was arrived at the stakeholders’ consultative meeting this week.
Ganduje accompanied by state APC chairman Abdullahi Abbas have on Friday night visited Shekarau to persuade him not leave the party.
Shekarau’s spokesperson Sule Yau Sule on Saturday told BBC Hausa that Mr Ganduje had visited Shekarau at his residence while he was having a meeting with his political associates on his next political step.
Sule said shortly after Ganduje left, some prominent APC bigwigs who defected to NNPP visited the residence of Shekarau to persuade him to join NNPP.
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Headlines
Breaking: Governor Yusuf Appoints Umar Farouk Ibrahim as Kano New SSG

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Ibrahim’s appointment takes effect from Monday, February 10, 2025.
According to the statement, Ibrahim was selected based on his extensive experience and expertise, which are expected to play a vital role in advancing the administration’s development agenda and keeping the state on track with its goals.

Umar Farouk Ibrahim brings over three decades of distinguished public service to his new role.
His career in the civil service, spanning from 1987 to 2023, has been marked by key leadership positions that significantly contributed to the governance and administrative structure of Kano State.
From March 2001 to May 2015, Ibrahim served as the Permanent Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Political Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In this capacity, he was instrumental in analyzing key policy options, advising the government on viable alternatives, and overseeing the implementation of these policies across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Following this, from June 2015 to March 2016, Ibrahim held the position of Permanent Secretary for the Administration and General Services Directorate.
His tenure in this role showcased his strong leadership and administrative skills. Notably, he served as acting Secretary to the State Government during annual leaves in 2013 and 2014, underscoring the trust and confidence placed in him by the state leadership.
In addition to his formal roles, Ibrahim served as Secretary for several high-profile committees, including the Coordinating Committee on Independent Power (2012-2015), the Committee on the Identification and Sale of Government Property (GP Houses) in 2012, and the State Payroll Standing Committee (2000-2004).
His early career also saw him play pivotal roles in community and educational reforms, such as his position as Secretary of the Inter-Community/Religious Consultative Forum in 1998 and the Committee on the Review of the Operations of the Agency for Mass Education in 1994.
Mr. Ibrahim obtained a B.Sc. in Political Science from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in 1985, followed by several professional certificates that further enriched his qualifications.
As a seasoned administrator and retired Permanent Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a commitment to excellence in his new role as SSG.
His appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the administrative framework of the current government and facilitate the effective execution of its policies and programs.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that Ibrahim’s appointment would significantly contribute to realizing his administration’s vision for Kano State, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership in steering the state toward sustained development and growth.

Headlines
Gov. Yusuf reconstitutes consumer protection council, appoints Zangina Jafaru E.S

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the composition of the Kano State Consumer Protection Council (KSCPC), to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the newly constituted council comprises seasoned professionals, government officials, and business representatives to ensure fair trade practices and protect consumers from exploitation.

A statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa noted that the members of the council include Dr. Umar Garba Haruna, as chairman and Alhaji Zangina Jafaru serving as the executive secretary.

Alhaji Zangina Jafaru
Other key members of the council include Ibrahim Ahmad Gama (Member representing Kano Central), Hajiya Sadiya Umar Bichi (Member representing Kano North), Alhaji Hussaini Bello Gidado (Member representing Kano South) Alhaji Munzali Abubakar (Representative of business community I, Kantin Kwari Market), Ali Muhammad Adakawa (Representative of business community II, Kwanar Singa), Alhaji Ahmed Isah Chedi (Representative of business community III, Dawanau Market), and Sani Gambo (Representative of business community IV, Abubakar Rimi Market).
Others are Halima Yahuza Ahmad (Representative of the Ministry of Justice), Prof. Salisu Ibrahim Ahmad (Representative of the Ministry of Health), Aminu Gidado Yushe’u (Representative of Ministry of Environment), Bashir Shehu Gezawa (Representative of the Ministry for Local Government), Maryam Halilu Haruna, Director Special Duties, (Representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs), Bashir Uba, Director Investment, (Representative of the Ministry of Investment/Commerce), Faisal Mahmud (Representative of the Ministry of Transportation, Agency), Umar Zubairu (Representative of Special Service Directorate) and Shamsu Jibrin (Secretary/Legal Adviser.)
The Governor emphasised that the council’s primary mandate is to protect consumer rights and ensure that businesses operate under fair, transparent and lawful conditions.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to promoting good governance, market confidence and safeguarding the public from substandard products and unethical business practices.
The council members are expected to commence operations immediately, addressing consumer complaints, regulating trade practices, and fostering a healthy business environment across Kano State.

Headlines
Waiya decries poor Hausa advertisements by non-Hausa speakers

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has expressed concern over the increasing trend of non-proficient Hausa speakers advertising products in the Hausa language in a manner that distorts the message and deviates from standard Hausa.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Commissioner made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in his office.
He emphasized the need for advertisements in Hausa to be crafted by native speakers to ensure clarity and effective communication with the target audience.
“For an advert to be well understood, it is crucial that native Hausa speakers handle its production to prevent distortion and misinterpretation,” Comrade Waiya stressed.
Waiya reiterated his commitment to strengthening the capacity of Information Officers in the state by ensuring their registration with relevant professional bodies. This, he noted, would enhance their effectiveness and service delivery.
Earlier, the Director, Northern Region, ARCON, described the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria as the apex regulatory body overseeing advertising, marketing communications, and public communication practices in Nigeria.
He explained that ARCON operates under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation with a mandate to promote ethical advertising, act as the conscience of society in commercial communications, and protect consumer interests.
The Director commended the Kano State Government for its support of ARCON and urged the ministry to ensure that all Information Officers in the state are registered members of the council. He emphasized that such membership would significantly benefit the officers in carrying out their duties professionally.
