The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, Kano has commenced a week-long competition across selected secondary schools as part of its commitment to the holistic development of adolescent girls.

KANO FOCUS reports that the AGILE Week 2025 features volleyball, basketball, spelling bee, painting, poetry, essay writing, short story and content creation competitions.

GGC Dala VS GGC Kano

On Basketball Girls category, Government Girls College Dala won 1st position, Government Girls College Kano 2nd while Army Day Secondary School emerged 3rd, while on male category Ahmadiyya College won 1st position with Army Day Secondary School as runners up.

On volleyball Girls category Army Day Secondary School won 1st position, Government Girls College Dala emerged 2nd while Government Girls College Kano secured 3rd position, while on male category Government Girls Secondary School Minjibir won 1st position with Ahmadiyya College as runners up.

Basketball competition

Speaking during the ongoing AGILE Games 2025 Week activities at the Government Girls College (GGC) Gala, State Project Coordinator, Malam Mujtaba Aminu, explained the purpose of the event and its significance.

“We are here for the AGILE Week. It is a key programme under the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment Project. This initiative is designed to showcase talent and intellectual skills among adolescent girls,” he said.

Basketball Competition

Aminu noted that sporting activities were chosen to help build confidence, encourage healthy competition, and foster teamwork among girls.

“Yesterday, we held a basketball competition where the winners emerged, and today we are continuing with volleyball. The top players from these games will be selected to represent the state in a friendly match against Kebbi State next week.”

Malam Mujtaba Aminu and Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

According to him, the event is not just a one-off occurrence. “It’s an annual event designed for this purpose. Initially, it was rolled out in seven states, but now the programme has expanded to include 18 to 21 states. So, next year’s games and competitions will be even bigger.”

The AGILE Project, supported by the World Bank, aims to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria by enhancing infrastructure, providing scholarships, and supporting life-skills programmes—of which AGILE Week is a vital component.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim ANIPR,
Communication Officer,
AGILE Kano.

As part of sweeping preparations for the successful conduct of the 2025/1446 Hajj exercise, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has inaugurated a 300-member support team structured into seven critical committees to serve Kano pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ orientation program in Kano, the Director General of the Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, said the teams were carefully selected to deliver essential services that ensure safety, discipline, health, and effective communication for pilgrims.

Each of the seven committees has been assigned a specialized role, led by experienced professionals:

• Orientation Committee led by Sheikh Tijjani Sani Mai Hula, will oversee the training, sensitization, and spiritual guidance of intending pilgrims.

• Tribunal Committee, chaired by Barrister Ibrahim Haruna Khalil, is tasked with handling internal disputes and disciplinary matters.

• Hisbah Committee under the leadership of Dr. Mujahiddeen Aminuddeen, will promote Islamic ethics and moral conduct among pilgrims.

• Medical Committee, headed by Dr. Ibrahim Musa, will manage healthcare delivery and emergency response.

• Environmental Committee, led by Sanusi Kabir, will ensure cleanliness and hygienic conditions in pilgrims’ accommodations.

• Media Committee, coordinated by Ibrahim Adam, will provide coverage, updates, and documentation of Hajj activities.

• Social Media Committee, led by Is-haq Abdullahi, will handle real-time digital communication and public engagement.

“These seven committees form the backbone of our 2025 Hajj operations,” said Alhaji Danbappa. “With the full support of His Excellency Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, we are confident this team will deliver world-class services to our pilgrims in line with global best practices.”

He added that Governor Yusuf has provided all necessary logistics, resources, and morale support to ensure the teams operate effectively and uphold Kano’s long-standing reputation for well-organized Hajj missions.

The stakeholders’ event drew participants from religious institutions, travel agencies, health sectors, and civil society, all committed to a smooth and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage for Kano indigenes.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has officially launched its 2025 Hajj operations with the deployment of its Advance Team to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The team, made up of key operational personnel and senior members of the National Medical Team, departed from Abuja on Monday after a symbolic farewell ceremony at the Hajj House.

During the send-off, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Alhaji Babagana Bukar, formally presented the team to the NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman. He praised their exceptional contribution to last year’s Hajj success and expressed confidence in their ability to deliver yet again. Bukar also appealed to the commission’s leadership to maintain strong institutional support to ensure another seamless exercise.

In his charge to the team, Professor Usman urged them to treat the mission with utmost seriousness and spiritual reverence.

“You are not going there to sleep; you are going there to serve the Guests of Allah,” he emphasized. “Support each other, work in unity, and serve with sincerity. Your success is our collective success.”

He assured them of the Commission’s full backing and reminded them to carry out their duties with the fear of Allah.

Echoing the Chairman’s sentiments, Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar Yagawal, described the Advance Team as the heartbeat of the Hajj operation. He stressed the need for dedication, integrity, and impartiality in their work, calling on them to approach the task with clear purpose and patience.

On behalf of NAHCON’s executive management, Dr. Mustapha Sani, Secretary to the Commission, confirmed that the team’s welfare packages had been fully approved, assuring them of continued support throughout the Hajj season.

“You are laying the foundation for this year’s operation,” Dr. Sani noted. “Your success is the Commission’s success.”

Speaking on behalf of the Advance Team, Director of Inspectorate and Compliance and Deputy Makkah Coordinator, Alidu Shutti, thanked the leadership for their confidence and pledged unwavering professionalism.

“We are trained, experienced, and fully ready. We will not disappoint you,” he said, appealing for sustained support from the top.

The Advance Team is tasked with crucial responsibilities including securing accommodation for pilgrims, setting up airport reception logistics, and coordinating with Saudi Hajj officials—efforts that form the backbone of Nigeria’s Hajj operations.

Their departure signals a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey to the 2025 Hajj and the beginning of a meticulously coordinated national pilgrimage to one of the world’s largest spiritual gatherings.

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