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Name and shame perpetrators of curruption – NUJ Chair tells journalists
Nasiru Yusuf
The chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano state council Comrade Abbas Ibrahim has charged journalists to name and shame perpetrators of curruption in their reportage.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Ibrahim made the call during a training for journalists on anti corruption and accountability issues, held in Kano.
He advised journalists to develop a corruption convicts register to enable people access the data of those convicted of corrupt practices.
Ibrahim, described corruption as a monster that has done so much damage on the country.
He reiterated that journalists have significant role to play in ensuring that credible leaders are elected in 2023.
Mr Ibrahim charged journalists to always display professionalism and stick to the ethics of the profession.
Comrade Abbas Ibrahim
He highlighted that, as watch dogs of the society whom the public rely for factual information, it becomes paramount for newsmen, to discharge their duties effectively and hold leaders accountable where the need arise.
As professional Journalists, Mr Abbas admonished newsmen to desist from seeking gratification as prerequisite of publishing news report.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, tasked the media to commit those seeking political offices in 2023 to reforms.
Auwal Musa Rafsanjani
Rafsanjani asked media practitioners to prioritize anti-corruption and accountability issues as they take on politicians during campaigns towards 2023 general elections.
He expressed concern that politicians hardly talk about how to tackle corruption or address decadence in the education sector. This Rafsanjani felt, was not encouraging considering the damage done by corruption in Nigeria.
“We should put these issues at the front burner as politicians begin their campaigns because the fact that they are not talking about it is of great concern,” he stated.
CISLAC boss also recalled the recently concluded primary elections that witnessed heavy financial inducement and warned that Nigerians must not go into general elections with a mindset to induce voters.
Cross section of participants
Rafsanjani noted that: “When there is compromise or poor handling of how to deal with the nation’s challenges, there is a huge consequence. Kano had a lot of industries in the past but because of corruption in the power sector, a lot of them have closed down, leaving many people jobless.
“A lot of people have left Nigeria because of the problems of joblessness and insecurity. It is only in Nigeria that schools will close for six months and those in charge of education have not resigned.”
He added: “The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) got salary review since 2009 and everyone knows how expensive the country has become. Politicians and Legislators earn as much as N17 to N19million monthly aside other benefits while a Professor after spending 30 years teaching, earns about N416,000 monthly.
“If politicians are earning so much, why look down on teachers? This is basterdization of public institutions,” he stated.
Cross section of participants
On the security situation bedeviling the country, he said: “When you allow criminals to come in with weapons because of the little graft they offer, it is a challenge.”
He lamented how people come into the country freely with drugs and guns because of the compromise of agencies charged with the responsibility of manning the border.
“We just have to understand the consequences of corruption. It has destroyed our value system and helped to undermine development, yet we move as if everything is alright.
“We must make politicians to be committed to proper reforms. In the last seven years, some people promised to fight corruption, provide jobs and fight insecurity. But we have all seen what is happening.”
Rafsanjani therefore urged journalists to confront politicians with appropriate questions as a way of committing them into actions and be able to demand accountability from them when they default.
Cross section of participants
While commending their past efforts, he further tasked them to help checkmate politicians, noting that without the media, it will be difficult to get the people informed as well as hold government accountable.
Speaking, the Executive Director, Women in Media Communications Initiative, Hajiya Halima Ben Umar, stressed that the media should be bold enough to demand explanation from political office seekers on how to tackle Nigeria’s problems.
“We want issue-based campaign; journalists must ask questions on what they have to offer in addressing mirage of problems confronting the country, especially with regards to women, disabled and vulnerable groups.”
The General Secretary, Kano State Civil Society Forum Peter Hassan Tijani stated that the media is key in the mission to rescue Nigeria, adding that journalists must engage in more serious issues rather than political distractions as have been trending in the media recently.
He charged journalists to focus on people-orientated issues that are capable of changing the narratives of what citizens are facing in the country. He also stressed the need for CSOs to partner the media in order to save the country from corrupt leaders.
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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