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Dangote cement graduates 40 women in fashion design
Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
Dangote Cement Plc has graduated no fewer than 40 women in fashion design in Kogi State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the graduation ceremony of the skill acquisition programme was held on Thursday at Obajana, Kogi State.
Speaking at the occasion, the Plant Director, of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Mr. JV Gungune, said the skill acquisition scheme was meant to support the government in its job creation efforts.
Mr. Gungune said even though the job creation scheme aptly fits into the company’s vision and mission, it cannot do it alone, nor can it employ everyone, adding that the skill acquisition program is another way of creating employment for the people of Kogi State.
The Plant Director said the beneficiaries should count themselves lucky to have been selected and trained in the program, even as he urged them to ensure that the skills and the equipment provided by the company are put into proper use.
Also Speaking, the Head of Social Performance Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Wakeel Olayiwola, said the empowerment is one in the series of several other interventions among host communities being executed by Dangote Cement Plc across Africa.
Mr. Olayiwola expressed optimism that the graduates will create a chain of other graduates under them through apprenticeship, therefore bolstering the job status of communities around Kogi State.
General Manager, of Special Duties, Mr. Ademola Adeyemi said 10 women were selected each from Oyo, Iwaa, Apata, and Obajana, which makeup both the plant and the mining communities.
Mr. Adeyemi said the skill program was in partnership with the National Directorate for Employment(NDE).
On his part, NDE’s Kogi state Coordinator, Mr. Abubakar Zakari, said the participants received intensive training for three months, just as he congratulated the company for sponsoring what he referred to as a laudable program for women.
The traditional rulers of the various communities commended the company for what they described as a huge intervention.
His Royal Highness, the Olu-Apata, Oba Dr. Frederick D.O. Balogun, expressed appreciation and pledged his community’s continuing support for the company.
The Bajana of Obajana Idowu Isenibi said the “joy of the community knows no bound while urging beneficiaries to make judicious use of the skill acquired from the program.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Titilayo Onimola, 33, commended the President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, while praying for God to continue to support him and make his businesses flourish.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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