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Abba Kabir Yusuf appoints Sunusi Bature Chief Press Secretary
Aminu Abdullahi
The Kano State Governor-elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed a veteran journalist, Sunusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, as his chief press secretary.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment is contained in a letter signed on Thursday by the chairman of the Gubernatorial Transition Committee on behalf of the governor-elect.
The letter noted that Mr Dawakin-Tofa’s appointment was based on his competence, loyalty, commitment and hard work, which he exhibited since 2019.
Dawakin Tofa is a seasoned PR expert, development communication and stakeholder engagement expert with 19 years working experience in both international development, private sector and the media in Nigeria.
Until his appointment, Dawakin-Tofa is a winner of the Cambridge education award on investigative journalism in 2008.
The newly appointed CPS has worked at different capacities in various national, international and bilateral organizations such as the British Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, FCDO, the United State Agency for Internal Development, USAID, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Save the Children International, Discovery Learning Alliance and the Rockefeller Foundation.
He held several positions which include general manager Corporate Services at Dantata Foods and Allied Products Limited, DFAP; director Stakeholder Engagement at YieldWise Project; country program manager at Girl Rising, ENGAGE project funded by the US Government; state project coordinator for MNCH Campaign Project of the BMGF, deputy director operations at Discovery Learning Alliance, state program officer, Policy Advocacy and Media Development, Communication and Knowledge Management specialist, among other positions.
The new Chief Press Secretary holds a Bachelor’s degree (B.A. Hons.) in Mass Communication from University of Maiduguri, National Diploma in Mass communication from Kaduna Polytechnic, a Higher National Diploma, HND, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Education and Promotion.
He also bagged MSc. in Social Work with specialization in Community Development from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomosho, Oyo State and another Master’s degree in Public Relations, MPR, from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
He participated in MSc program on Project Management at Robert Kennedy College, Zurich, Switzerland.
Until his appointment Dawakintofa served as the vice president, Nigeria operations for a UK based firm, Kingston Organic PLC.
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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