Headlines
Kano govt approves over N3.5 billions foreign scholarships for 550 students
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Government has approved the release of N3,577,288,540 to the Ministry of Higher Education for the sponsorship of 550; qualified state indigenes for postgraduate studies abroad,.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of the 5th meeting of the state executive Council.
He said N544,321,168 was approved to the Ministry of Education for the payment of of outstanding funds in respect of boarding schools students’ feeding.
Dantiye added that the sum of N79,284,537, was also approved by the council to facilitate the renovation of 11 closed boarding schools in the state, while N131,500,000 has been approved for the conduct of the 2023 internal Examination (BECE/BEICE AND SSQE/SAISQ/TAHFEEZ &TAJWEE)
The Commissioner revealed that hundreds of millions of naira has been approved to the Ministry of Works and Housing which include N172,528,572 for the settlement of outstanding liability for the completion of Kano State liaison office Abuja; N111,990,955 for the repair and maintenance Works at Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso and Obasanjo Flyovers in Kano Municipal Local Government Area, while N22,164,893 was approved for the construction of 2 Multi-Cell box culverts at Rafin Gora and Rafin Zur in Yelwa ward, Rano Local Government Area.
Similarly, the sum of N69,039,407 was approved to the Ministry of Health for the procurement of HIV rapid test kids by Kano State Agency for the Control of Aids, while N15, 274,640 was approved to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for the conduct of annual Mosquito vector and rodents control in the state.
Dantiye further revealed that N1, 693,000 was approved to the office of Head of Civil Service for payment of bereaved family allowances in respect of 34 additional deceased civil servants in the state between January, 2023 to July, 2023.
The Commissioner explained that other resolutions of the Council include the re-introduction of Kwankwasiyya medical outreach programme across the 44 Local Government Areas and re-introduction of foreign scholarship to state indigenes commencing with 55 qualified applicants for postgraduate studies.
He said the council directed the state Ministries of Finance in collaboration with the Office o the state Auditor General to conduct a Bio- metric data capture and verification exercise for all state and local government Staff pensioners.
Dantiye added that the council constituted a state and local governments payroll standing committee to ensure prudent salary administration in the state.
So far the 5th Executive Counci meeting approved the release of N4,882,378,071 for the execution of various projects in the state.
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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GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
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