Headlines
My administration neutralises Boko Haram, IPOB, bandits – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has boasted that his administration has significantly degraded Boko Haram insurgency, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Eastern Security Network, ESN and banditry in some parts of the country.
KANO FOCUS reports that Buhari stated this at the passing out parade of the 4th regular course course cadets of the Nigeria Police Academy Wudil in Kano on Thursday.
According to Mr Buhari, relative normalcy had already returned to most towns and villages in the affected areas, adding that more efforts are in place to ensure that the normalcy return to all the areas suffering banditry.
The president said that Nigerians are aware that his administration came to office determined to make impact in three major areas of security, building a sustainable economy and fight against corruption.
He added that “we can say that the recent positive developments in these areas have shown that , despite the challenges on ground, we can see general improvement in all the three areas.”
In the area of corruption, according to Mr Buhari, “Nigerians are aware that my administration is determined to ensure that the country do not have a repeat of what had gone on in the previous administrations and we have taken a strong stance against perversive corruption.
“This administration has also focused on security by repositioning our national securities to perform their duties effectively. We have equally embarked on some crucial changes in their funding structure and mode of operation.
“In a world, where insecurity is constantly evolving, the enforcement responses have to equally evolve, not just to keep up, but to stay ahead.
“This administration has signed into law, the new police act to esnure improvement in the welfare and service delivery to reach the best international practices.
“The Boko Haram insurgency, the Indigenous People of Biafra, Eastern Security Network and banditry in some parts of the country over time, which had posed a portent threat to the country, had been significantly degraded and relative normalcy have returned to most towns and villages.
“More efforts are in place to ensure that the normalcy return to all the areas suffering banditry,” he said.
Mr Buhari added that “i commend the effort and resilience of the Nigeria Police Force and sister agencies for the giant strides recorded so far in the fight against the prevailing security challenges,”
While congratulating the graduands, Mr Buhari urges them to be dedicated, diligent and honest in the discharge of their duties, calling on them to out the development of Nigeria at forefront.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, AIG Abdurrahman Ahmad ennumerated the challenges being fa es by the institution, urging the president to come to their aid.
According to him, acute shortage of manpower, both academic and non-academic is bedevilling the collage, thereby hindering the academic and administrative needs of the academy.
He also decried delay in timely payment of cadets’ stipends/allowances, calling for the support to the academy to complete “abandoned Police Reform Projects such as perimeter fence, faculty buildings and lecture theatres.
“We are in acute shortage of Manpower both Academic and Non Academic to handle Academic and Administrative needs of the academic needs.
“We are today with the threat of desertification leading to the destruction of roofs while inadequate power supply has since becomes daily occurrences, for which we urged the President to put a dedicated power line from Wudil and upgrade the 2.5MV to 7.5MV.
“It is not hyperbole to State here that the annual budgetery allocation of the Nigeria Police Academy is grossly inadequate to finance developmental projects that will facilitate peaceful learning and working environment”.
“It is against this backdrop that I’m appealing for increase budgetary allocation, both Capital and Recurrent budget as it will go a long way in addressing the Academy Challenges,” he appealed.
Mr Ahmad however commended the government and other stakeholders for their supports and interventions to the academy, which according to him, enabled the institution executed some meaningful projects.
Headlines
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
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.
Headlines
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
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.
Headlines
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
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.
