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There are 989,234 out of school children in Kano – UNICEF
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund’s (UNICEF) said there are 989,234 out school children in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the country representative of UNICEF in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, gave the account on Thursday while addressing journalists in Kano on the activities of UNICEF in health, education and nutrition in the region.
Despite frantic efforts by the federal government and partners to reduce the growing rate of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, UNICEF revealed that Kano ranked top in the country with over nine hundred thousand vulnerable children roaming the streets.
The UNICEF chief, who was worried over the case of Kano out-of-school children believed the state government can accelerate the ugly trend to zero level in three years, with commitment and good will.
While suggesting possible solutions to the challenges of out-of-school children, poor health and malnutrition in Kano, Munduate tasked Northern government to rather de-emphasize challenges and adopt solutions to challenges.
Munduate explained that the collaborative efforts to check the raising level of out-of-school children has brought about 1.5 million children back to class in Northern Nigeria in two years.
According to UNICEF chief efforts to accelerate access to quality education through its Learning Passport initiative is fast yielding significant results, with 1.4 million enrollees.
Munduate revealed that Nigeria Learning Passport, an online education model platform designed for basic and secondary levels, was meant to create access to quality education, essentially to less privileged children who are out of school.
As part of the solution to the health challenge, the UNICEF chief canvassed the establishment of a functional Primary Health Centre with the trust of providing 24 hours of service and immunization services with the employment of qualified midwives across the 484 wards of the state.
She equally called for political will of policies and implementation on health and education. While calling for increased budgetary provisions to the sector, she urged the government to ensure implementation and monitory of the resources for expected result.
”UNICEF is collaborating with Federal and state government to expand and accelerate access to education. The Nigeria Learning Passport has captured 500,000 children in 2022. The program is integrated and we have captured 1.4 million in 2023.
” The program is basically meant to support and provide platform for majority of students who are out of schools, a free access to quality learning system and quality teaching model for the teacher. We hope to increase the access in nearest future.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Ibrahim Khalil
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Aminu Dabo, has resigned as the party’s caucus chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area and withdrawn his membership of the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), announced his resignation in a letter dated October 7, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.
In the letter, personally signed by him, Dabo said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future endeavours.
He confirmed his resignation during a telephone conversation from Abuja on Wednesday, saying he had formally submitted the letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for necessary action.
“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.
The former NPA managing director also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity and confidence reposed in him to contribute to its development and progress during his membership.
“I sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity I have received from the party leadership,” he added.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Othman, Media and Publicity Aide to Dabo Dabo, said the former NPA MD did not disclose further details about his reasons for leaving the APC in the resignation letter.
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