Headlines
Ganduje directs disciplinary action against KUST VC, bursar
Nasir Yusuf
Kano state Executive Council has directed the governing council of Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), to institute disciplinary procedures against the vice chancellor Prof. Shehu Alhaji Musa and former bursar Hajiya Balaraba Tijjani Abdullahi in line with Public Service Rules and extant laws of the university.
KANO FOCUS reports that the council has also adopted the White Paper Report of the Visitation Panel to the State University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil part of which included the constitution of an Inter-Agency investigativ Panel to look into the issue of unremitted KUST staff pensions contributions.
Briefing newsmen on the outcome the council weekly meeting held at the council chamber Government House, Kano, the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba stated that the council directed that a panel should be constituted to investigate the entire outstanding liabilities and audited accounts of the university to recover lost resources and sanction erring officers.
Garba revealed that the council has also adopted the recommendation of the Draft White Paperon the Visitation Panel to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso for the upgrade of the college to State University of Education (KSUE).
The commissioner further announced that the council has approved the proposed bill for the establishment of Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital under Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano and the transmission of the same to the state House of Assembly for passage into law.
He also revealed that the council has received an information memo announcing the completion of the Hydro Electric Power Project at the end of April, this year and is ready for commissioning.
Malam Garba said the state Head of Civil Service has therefore been directed to source for qualified and experienced staff within the service for deployment to the Kano state Hydro Electric Power Development Company (KHEDCO), the agency supervising the station.
The commissioner added that the council has approved the reviewed Bill’s of quantity and augmentation of the sum of N12, 219, 747.31 million which brings the revised contract sum to the tune of N36, 343, 150.40 million for the repair and renovation of the components fire damaged hostel block at Government Secondary School Kwankwaso in Madobi local government.
Other approvals by the council, he said, included the ratification of approval for the conduct of workshop training in respect of 900 civil servants at the sum of N40, 500, 000.00 million; rehabilitation of Kwanar Kwankwaso-Kwankwaso Road, Madobi local government and the contract for the reconstruction of Kuidawa (Tashr Gambo)-Jalli Town-Tattarawa/Jalli Road in Dawakin Tofa local government.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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