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I’ll struggle for constitutional amendment if elected—Kawu Sumaila
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Former Deputy Minority Leader, Honorable Hon. Abdulrahaman Kawu Sumaila has said that there is an urgent need for a review of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and the devolution of power to states and local governments which will resolve majority of the country’s challenges.
According to him, his 12 years of experience at the Assembly under 3 presidents have made him realized that Nigeria needs a system which will have a direct touch with the grassroot which local government autonomy is the starting point.
Kawu who also served as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the president on National Assembly said, from his understanding and previous experiences, there are serious lacunas in the country’s constitution which gave birth to issues such as insecurity, economic meltdown and social problems hence, the need to revisit it, make amendments and come up with what he called ‘the people’s constitution’.
The topnotch politician who is vying for the Kano South Senatorial Seat under the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) said he’s priority after he wins the election is to move for a review and amendment of the constitution.
“If I become a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria, I will insist to have a complete and comprehensive look at the constitution and make amendments”.
“A heterogenous country like Nigeria operating a federal system with over 200 million people with one inspector of police will definitely have security challenges.
“The constitution we have at the moment allows for only 1 Inspector General of Police over 200 million people, believe me, it is difficult for him to police Nigeria so whether we like it or not, we need to have a second look at it”.
” I’m fully in support of state police so that the army can face their constitutional responsibility of defending our territorial sovereignty but that can only happen when we have state police that candy complement the work of the federal police”
Take kano state for example, we are almost 20million and the total number of police in kano is less than 8,000 and in my own local government we have two division and the police men there are less than 80 personnel with population of almost 500,000″, he added.
He further stated that the Federal Government has over burdened itself so much with even responsibilities of the Local Governments citing constructions of primary healthcare centres by the FG as misplacement of priority.
Sumaila also hinted on education noting that the University education is very important and must be encouraged to go beyond awarding certificates to becoming a research institution which will proffer solutions to almost every aspects of our lives.
However, all these and many more he said can be achieved only when; “We have a constitution that has the characteristic of good governance, accountability, inclusiveness transparency, effectiveness, rule of law and a constitution that provides free and acceptable elections.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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