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2023: Abba Kabir takes lead over Nasiru Gawuna in Kano governorship race – poll
Nasiru Yusuf
Ahead of the forthcoming 2023 governorship elections, a recent statewide opinion poll commissioned by ANAP Foundation showed that the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) Governorship Candidate, Abba Kabir Yusuf, is the most favoured to win the election.
KANO FOCUS reports that the poll conducted by NOIPolls Limited in October revealed a close race between Mr Yusuf and Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC). There is an 18-point gap between the pair and other candidates.
“The results showed a significant lead for Abba Kabir Yusuf with 29 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him if the governorship election were to be conducted today; and 21 per cent proposing to vote for Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the APC who fell in second place,” the foundation said.
“Muhammad Sadiq Wali If the PDP was a distant third with only 3 per cent of voters proposing to vote for him.
“Abba Kabir Yusuf’s 9 per cent-point lead at this early stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him completely from his main challenger as the top 3 candidates scored 29 per cent, 21 per cent and 3per cent, the organisers stated.
“However, the poll showed that undecided voters and those who prefer not to reveal their preferred candidate add up to a whopping 30per cent and 11per cent respectively. The gender split of undecided voters shows that 35 per cent of women are undecided versus 22 per cent of male voters.
“Poll Question: Suppose the governorship election is being conducted today, who are you likely to vote for?
“The percentage of registered voters is as follows in each of the districts – 88per cent in Kano South, 92per cent in Kano Central, and 93per cent in Kano North.
“When asked if respondents were aware of the various candidates vying for Governorship, data gathered showed that 85 per cent of the respondents were aware of Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna of the APC, 82 per cent were aware of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP, 67per cent were aware of Mohammed Sadiq Wali of PDP and 62 per cent were aware of Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada of the ADP.
“All other candidates scored below 50per cent in terms of name recognition.
“Furthermore, the data summarises top four reasons why voters are more inclined to vote in the forthcoming elections, these include – Continuity of Educational Policy (26 per cent), Infrastructure (21per cent), Insecurity (16 per cent) and Unemployment (11per cent) amongst others.
“Thirty-one per cent of the respondents would love to see their preferred governorship candidates participate in a televised interview and/or debate, with the interview/debates spanning across topics like their party manifestos, personality recognition and competence check amongst others.
“It is worthy of note that 71 per cent of those aged 18-25, 85 per cent of those aged 26-35, 85per cent of those aged 36-45, 82per cent of those aged 46-60 and 82per cent of those aged 61+ responded they would definitely vote in the coming elections.
“The age groups that expressed the greatest willingness to vote were those between 26-35 years and 36-45 years.
The organiser of the poll also said the poll indicated that there might be an increase in the turnout of voters in the state.
“The Poll shows that almost 8 in 10 registered voters are absolutely certain that they would be voting in the next governorship election. If they stay committed, then we could witness a huge turnout in the March 2023 governorship elections.
The organiser of the poll said despite the significant lead of the two frontrunners, what would eventually decide the outcome of the election is who undecided voters decided to vote for.
“While this governorship poll result shows some significant trends, it is key to note that the battle ahead lies with the undecided/swing voters as they would ultimately decide which candidate emerges as governor of Kano State in the 2023 governorship elections.
“In summary, our October 2022 Polls are inconclusive in terms of establishing a clear winner as the undecided voters are enough to turn the tables. However, ANAP Foundation has concluded that the trends are clear enough to establish the front runners and so our subsequent polls will concentrate on the 2 leading candidates only, the foundation said.
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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