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2023: IPAC dismisses purported deployment of Yusuf Kolo as Kano CP
Press Release
The Kano state chapter of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has rejected the alleged plan by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to deploy commander of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Yusuf Kolo, to Kano as commissioner of police.
KANO FOCUS reports that IPAC is an umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria.
The Deputy Chairman of IPAC in Kano Isa Nuhu Isa Danfulani revealed this on Monday in a statement issued after an emergency meeting.
Danfulani who is the state chairman of Zenith Labour Party along with fifteen chairmen of other political parties alleged that “the Kano state Governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other powerful forces at the centre have lobbied the Inspector General of the Police to deploy Mr. Yusuf as the new commissioner of police to Kano.”
The group cited a report of online newspaper which reported that, the IGP, who is out of the country, had given the governor assurance of the posting after his return from an oversea trip.
IPAC narrated that Mr. Kolo was involved in a gruesome murder case of a citizen of Kano Abdullahi Alfa who was beaten to death by the disbanded SARS in Kano under the leadership of Mr. Yusuf.
The politician said Mr Yusuf was found guilty in a suit number FHC/K/H/CS/84/2013 at a Federal High Court in Kano.
The group recalled how late Emir Ado Bayero and Bashir Tofa wrote a petition against Mr. Kolo requesting police to transfer the said officer out of Kano.
IPAC added that the deployment of Kolo would cripple the fragile peace in the state and possibly cause pandemonium during the forthcoming election, because the said police officer is known for flagrant abuse of power.
“There have been fears over attempt to destroy the peaceful co-existence Kano enjoys ahead of 2023 elections, as it may be recalled that the Governorship Candidate of the ruling APC and his deputy were caught in election malpractice during the 2019 Governorship election,” IPAC said.
The political parties enjoin the IGP and the Police Service Commission to carefully select and deploy a professional police commissioner to the state.
“We wish to also thank the present CP Samaila Dikko who will be retiring soon and the AIG zone one for their professional conduct of duties in Kano.
“As good citizens and political leaders, we want to reassure our commitment to cooperate with any commissioner of police with good character and attitude posted to Kano state, but we unanimously reject the purported posting of CP Kolo Yusuf,” the group said.
Headlines
Kano govt cautions private schools against excessive fees
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The government has introduced new guidelines for fee increment.
Kano State Government has prohibited private and voluntary schools from arbitrarily increasing fees and forcing parents to purchase materials directly from the schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that Executive Secretary of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institution’s Board( KSPVIB,) Comrade Baba Abubakar Umar, gave the warning in an interview with journalists.
The Executive Secretary said that some schools have been taking advantage of parents through hidden charges and exorbitant fees.
He said to address this issue, the board has introduced new guidelines.
According to him, “Schools must convene a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to discuss any fee increments”.
He also stated that school must then write to the board seeking approval for the increase, attaching the attendance sheet from the PTA meeting.
He added that”At least two-thirds of parents must be present at the PTA meeting”
Comrade Abubakar dated that, the board has received complaints from parents who were charged excessive fees or amounts different from what was initially agreed upon.
He therefore disclosed that despite the current economic situation, schools must be realistic and fair in their charges.
“The board will work with relevant authorities to prosecute schools that operate illegally or evade taxes”
He however maintained that the board is committed to ensuring that schools provide safe learning environments and employ qualified teachers.
“Parents are encouraged to report any schools with substandard teaching or unsafe conditions”
Comrade Abubakar emphasised that, new census forms will be distributed to private and voluntary schools to ensure accurate data collection and effective monitoring. Saying that the board remains open to dialogue and discussions with schools willing to comply with the law.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to education, allocating 30% of the state’s budget to the sector and declaring a state of emergency.
Headlines
NEMA confirms 2 dead, others injured in building collapse
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that two people have died and two others were injured following the collapse of a two-storey building in Noman’s Land, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Officer, Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said the agency received a distress call around 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan about the building collapse.
Dr. Abdullahi stated, “The agency received a distress call today at about 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan that a two-storey building collapsed in Noman’s Land Quarters, Kano.”
He further said, “Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our rescue team to the scene.”
Dr. Abdullahi added, “Four persons were rescued by our team—a husband, wife, and two children. Unfortunately, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment.”
The NEMA Coordinator also noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to find any persons trapped in the building.
Headlines
Kano indigenes top student loan applicants’ list
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano students from Kano are the top applicants of the student loan scheme, data from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed.
KANO FOCUS reports that NELFUND, in a data chart posted via its official X handle, @nelfnigeria on Friday, highlighted the number of applicants per state of origin.
According to the data chart, students originally from Kano State topped the list of applicants with 17,122 applicants; Borno followed suit with 13,798 applicants while Benue had 11,754 applicants. The three states were the only states with over 11, 000 applicants.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.