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2023 budget: Women groups, PWDs compile priority of citizens
Nasiru Yusuf
Women groups and living with physical disabilities in Kano have developed their input for the proposed 2023 budget.
KANO FOCUS reports that the groups developed their demand during an engagement with women groups and people living with disabilities (PWDs) on citizens input budget, held in Kano.
In her presentation on areas that needed urgent attention in Ungoggo local government area chairperson women peace and security, Nafisa Muhammad Ado identified the renovation of Dan Tamashe hospital and Tsohuwar Makabarta primary school as well as construction of Tafasa to Madugu to Jajira to Gadan road, as their priority in 2023 proposed budget.
On inclusiveness of people with special needs, zonal coordinator national association of people living with physical disabilities, Bilkisu Ado Zango pointed out that PWDs six clusters have been engaged about their demands for the 2023 budget.
She however noted that, the template mapped out thematic areas such as health, education, agriculture, commerce, environment and infrastructural development.
Earlier, the state partnership facilitator, Partnership to Engage Reform and learn PERL/ECP, Alhaji Yunusa Hamza described budget engagement and inclusiveness as one of the catalysts to the development of a nation.
Alhaji Yunusa Hamza
According to him, the engagement had brought together women groups, and PWDs from diverse constituencies, so that their demands would be incorporated into the 2023 proposed budget.
The state partnership facilitator highlighted that, the inputs captured would be forwarded to Kano state House of Assembly for inclusion, as well as subsequent follow ups to meet the yearnings and aspirations of PWDs and vulnerable groups in 2023 fiscal year.
“It is an engagement that has been happening over the years that will strengthen citizens participation for good governance “.
In his remarks, a lecturer with the department of economics Sa’adatu Rimi college of education Kano, who doubles as executive director (FIDAC), Dr. Abdulsalam Kani, noted that coalition of citizens input is a civic responsibility as enshrined by section 8 of the constitution.
He attributed poor budget implementation, and performance to lack of inclusiveness, saying that the engagement would ensure that all the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya have collated citizens needs and aspirations, as part of the 2023 fiscal year proposal.
”Section 10 sub – section 3 of Kano state public financial management law mandates Kano state ministry for planning and budget to ensure collation of citizens input into the budget process”.
The event tagged ‘Engagement with women groups and PWDs on citizens input budget’ organized by PERL/ECP funded by foreign common wealth development office (FCDO), attracted 6 clusters of PWDs and women groups to brainstorm on their needs and aspirations in 2023 financial year.
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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