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OCCEN, Kano CSOs launch situation room for 2023 election
Ahead of 2023 general elections, Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) in collaboration with Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) have inaugurated Civil Society Situation Room.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Director of OCCEN, Comrade Abdulrazak Alkali who is a co-convener of the inauguration ceremony said the idea for establishing the state elections situation room is to ensure prompt responses to possible challenges and threats before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
Comrade Abdulrazak Alkali
He said, similar effort was made during the last local government election in Kano and had yielded positive results, which prompted the formation of the situation room for the forthcoming election.
Alkali who is the convener of the programme stated that, Kano situation room is a replica of National Situation Room, set up to strengthen electoral processes in Kano State.
He called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to develop mechanism for checkmating vote buying by politicians and pledged to organise periodic meetings with INEC and other stakeholders on electoral processes as the need arise.
In his address the President of Kano Civil society Forum, Amb. Ibrahim Waiya said, the Situation Room model, by contrast, ”provides a platform for rapid and timely response.”
Amb Ibrahim Waiya
Waiya who doubles as co-convener of the programme said it is designed to ensure that beyond observation, civil society is able to play a greater role in crisis management, early warning and constructive engagement of the process to ensure a credible election.
”The Election Situation Room shall have the following representatives stakeholders groups and organizations as members: Police, DSS, INEC, National Human Right Commission, EFCC, Media, Civil Society, IPAC, Hisbah, NOA, Civil Defence, Military, Traditional Institution among others.
Dignitaries at the event
“The essence of the Situation Room, is to tactically maximize the access for information gathering and provide a unified platform for analysis and intervention by the concerned authorities proactively,” he explained.
He added that “The Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF), is the key umbrella body of Civil Society Organizations in Kano State, associating under a common platform with the aim of achieving human rights protection and promotion, promotion of democracy, good governance, Anti-corruption
“Transparency and accountable Governance, health, peace, justice and sustainable development in the State and Nigeria at large.
Representatives of media
”Kano Civil Society Forum (KCSF) the umbrella body of over 100 Civil Society organizations operating in Kano State, has as part of its continuous interventions and advocacy for best Democratic practices is in partnership with Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) with support from National Endowment for Democracy (NED) Washington D.C organizing today’ s event to launch and inaugurate the establishment of the Kano State Civil Society Election Situation Room,” Waiya said.
The featured presentation from representatives of Independently National Electoral Commission (INEC), Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Representative of EFCC
Highlights of the event include questions and answers session on how to strengthen electoral processes in Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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