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2023 Hajj: Kano Pilgrims Board round off return airlift, Chairman commends Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has completed the 2023 hajj exercise with the return of its last set of contingents from Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Yusuf Lawan made the declaration on Sunday at the Malam Aminu Kano International airport on arrival from the King AbdulAziz International airport Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Alhaji Yusuf Lawan
Alhaji Yusuf Lawan revealed that with this final flight, the Board has returned all the Kano contingent that participated in this year’s pilgrimage.
He explained that the entire contingent have exhibited maturity and good conduct throughout the exercise.
The Executive chairman has attributed the success achieved in this year’s Hajj to the overwhelming support and leadership direction given to the Board by the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Pilgrims descending from aeroplane
He said the former board and previous government messed up a lot of things that would have jeopardised the chances of Kano State’s pilgrims in performing the just-concluded 2023 Hajj exercise if not for intervention and the commitment of Governor Yusuf in providing purposeful leadership for the people of State.
Lawan said If not for the quick intervention of Governor Yusuf, there wouldn’t have been any leeway in the Hajj operation.
According to him, Kano State was allocated 6,105 seats for the 2023 Hajj but the previous board sold additional 191 unavailable slots to intending pilgrims and their money could not be found anywhere.
Pilgrims descending from aeroplane
“Kano State has always been number one or two in Hajj management but things went badly in recent years and the previous board messed up a lot of things.
“We came on the 1st of June as a new board and we didn’t see the former executive secretary to brief us until four days later. So, we didn’t know where to start from because there was no information but we used our experience to call some of the directors even though they were involved in day-to-day running affairs of Hajj.
“From available information, Kano State was allocated 6,105 seats for this year’s Hajj, but we discovered that additional 191 seats were sold to people and we were shocked at how they sold out such unavailable seats to people. But we organised ourselves to look at the visa processing and those we can fix, we fixed them,” Lawan stated.
Alhaji Lawan added: “Another challenge along the way was Hajj camps, in fact it was like a war zone. There were large warehouses within the camp where pilgrims’ luggage are kept on arrival and there were also about 100 houses that used to serve as accommodation for pilgrims when they were screened and waiting for departure to the holy land. But all the houses, including Juma’a Mosque and toilets were demolished by the previous government and distributed the land to individuals. Only 12 toilets out of 55 were left behind. So, even if you are taking just 100 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, will 12 toilets be enough to serve 100 pilgrims while in the camp waiting for departure time, let alone 550 pilgrims.
“Even the main gate where pilgrims used to pass after screening to go to the airport was completely blocked and at that time, our first set of pilgrims were scheduled to move to Madinah the next three days. But with good intention, Allah gave us the way through and when I went to see the Governor and told him that, Your Excellency, there is a need for you to find time to visit Hajj camp either tomorrow or after, but with compassion he said, ‘we’re going now’.
“We went there and he immediately advised the individuals who the land was allocated to and were busy developing it as if there was no government to stop. He then assured us that he will do everything humanly possible within 24 hours to at least make the camp habitable. In the middle of night, he was there with some officials up till early morning, some good Samaritans also came to help and within 24 hours later like the Governor promised, the Hajj camp changed completely.
“We screened the pilgrims and asked His Excellency to come to the Airport and say good bye to the pilgrims, Alhamdulillah, the airlines were very generous to us and within the space of eight days, we were able to airlift all our pilgrims, 6100, to the holy land.
“In the last eight years, Kano State has not transported even 4,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, I think it was only in 2019 before COVID-19 that they had up to 4,000 pilgrims, and last year they came to Saudi Arabia with just 1,700 pilgrims, but, still, a lot of pilgrims were left behind at home.
“So, NAHCON was so surprised and they were asking us how we did it. It was a miracle, but with the support of Allah and leadership direction provided by His Excellency, we were able to surmount the challenges.”
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of hope for graduates left stranded due to the previous administration’s negligence regarding academic certificates.
His determination to rectify these injustices has culminated in decisive actions to secure the future of Kano’s youth. Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, shared these developments with the media.
On December 9, 2024, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus with a mission to obtain the overdue academic certificates for Kano students affected by the prior administration’s failure to meet its educational financial obligations.
During a critical meeting with the management of Near East University, the governor focused on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in essential fields like Medicine and Nursing.
This was confirmed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson.
In a significant move, Governor Yusuf has settled the outstanding fees of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university for 84 medical and2015 to 2019.
This substantial financial commitment honors the dedication and hard work of these graduates, restoring their hopes for a future that had previously been unjustly delayed.
According to Ibrahim Adam, the certificates are set to be handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, marking a pivotal moment for the affected students.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges faced by the graduates, declaring, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.”
His vision for a prosperous Kano is centered on prioritizing education, ensuring that talented individuals can make valuable contributions to the state’s advancement.
The governor’s proactive measures not only address the systemic issues in the education sector but also inspire renewed hope among Kano’s youth.
By fulfilling his promises, he emphasizes the crucial role of supporting young people in achieving their aspirations, which is vital to the state’s growth.
As this milestone is celebrated, it is evident that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s relentless pursuit of educational reform signals a transformative era for Kano State.
His administration’s unwavering focus on education stands as a vital investment in the futures of individuals and the overall development of the state.
Under his leadership, Kano State is poised to realize its full potential, with eager graduates ready to make impactful contributions to their communities.
Governor Yusuf’s commitment to empowering the youth serves as an enduring reminder that with dedication and decisive action, a brighter future is attainable for all.
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