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Under 20 Football: Governor Yusuf applauds Team Kano for impressive performance
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, extends his heartfelt congratulations to Team Kano for their outstanding performance, securing the second position in the highly anticipated 1st Annual Nigeria’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo National Under-20 Male Youth Football Championship.
KANO FOCUS reports that the tournament, organized by the African Youth Sports Federation (AYSOF) and sponsored by the Nigerian Navy, under the esteemed patronage of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, showcased exceptional talent and fierce competition among the participating teams.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his deputy Comr. Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, expressed his appreciation for the importance of sports in fostering peace, unity, and understanding among communities in Nigeria.
He highlighted the positive impact of AYSOF in nurturing talent and facilitating the integration of Kano state’s youth into international football teams, where they excel and earn well-deserved recognition.
Furthermore, Gwarzo revealed plans to establish a management team dedicated to steering the affairs of Kano Pillars in their upcoming tournament in Asaba, Delta State, with the aim of bringing the trophy home. He equally assured sports enthusiasts that the state government is fully committed to supporting Kano Pillars (Masu-Gida) in any way necessary.
In a statement issued by Press Secretary to the deputy governor Ibrahim Garba Shu’aibu on Sunday, Comrade Abdussalam emphasized that the government is determined to promote sporting activities in the state as a means of engaging and empowering the youth.
He also acknowledged the commendable efforts of AYSOF President, Dr Ahmed Lawal, spanning over four decades, in organizing nationwide tournaments to enhance relationships among diverse ethnic groups and religious bodies.
Dr Ahmed Lawal, President of AYSOF, emphasized the primary objectives of the tournament, which include fostering unity among youth, bridging economic and ethnic disparities, and redirecting young individuals away from negative influences towards meaningful engagement in sports.
“The championship aims to unearth hidden talents and provide training and development opportunities for aspiring young athletes” he noted.
The Chief of Naval Staff, represented by Commodore Usman Mainasara Bugaje, Commandant of Nigerian Navy Logistics College, Dawakin Tofa, expressed gratitude to AYSOF for organizing the tournament and honored to serve as the patron of the esteemed organization.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering support to AYSOF and extended his appreciation to the people of Kano State for hosting the event.
During the closing ceremony, the tournament’s victors, Team Katsina followed by Team Kano, were awarded the trophy, medals, and certificates, following an intense final match decided by a penalty shootout, with Team Katsina emerging victorious with a score of 5 goals to Team Kano’s 4.
AYSOF, throughout its history, has played a pivotal role in producing exceptional footballers in Nigeria, including legends such as the late Rasheed Yekini, Daniel Amokachi, Garba Lawal, Tijjani Babangida, Celestine Babayaro, Ali Jeje, Dahiru Sade, Tunde Black, Emmanuel Babayaro, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, and numerous other international star players.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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