Headlines
Northeast youths call for stability in Kano, justice for Gov. Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Envious of developmental strides in Kano State, youth under the aegis of Northeast Youth Progressive Union and Coalition for Democratic Rights Group have challenged governors in the North to copy Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s template of poverty alleviation and human capital development which they described as practical and impacting.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Northeast youth groups made the call on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State capital, where they converged for a press conference.
Recall that Kano State Government under the watch of Governor Yusuf has rebirth an education-for-masses policy started by former Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, which provides opportunities for free basic education, local and foreign scholarships with over 1,001 meticulously selected postgraduate students already departing for studies in India from last week.
Speaking, the Chairman of the groups, Dr. Kabir Hassan Sambo, expressed worries over huge disparity in educational opportunities between North and Southern part of the country, advocating for the immediate replication of Kano’s educational transformation agenda in the region faced by diverse socioeconomic challenges.
Dr Sambo said: “It is worthy of note that Governor Yusuf within the last 5 months has paid for the Tuition, Feeding, and Accommodation of 1001 Post Graduate students to India. He has also paid the Senior Secondary school examination fees (NECO) for 57,000 students, Tuition fees of 7,000 students at Bayero University, and tertiary institution students in Kano are now granted 50% discount on their fees. Furthermore, he has reopened 26 Skills acquisition institutes for training and empowerment of residents of Kano State.
“We really need all Northern Governors to emulate these steps by Kano and to prioritize education and human capital development.”
Highlighting the political and economic importance of Kano to other parts of the North, Northeast youth said, “we are aware that the Tribunal sacked this man that has renewed the hope of the youths in Northern Nigeria. As with the youth in Kano, the Northern youths are watching the appeal process. There must be Justice. Justice is the bedrock of democracy and if the judicial system fails the people, then democracy is in jeopardy!”
Further, the youth noted that, “We are not unmindful of the role Kano State played as the center of commerce and political activities of Northern Nigeria both in the past and present, it is therefore absolutely necessary for the northern political gladiators to play politics that will bring succor to the people and not otherwise”.
“Let us not easily forget also, the role played by the Kano State government to the people of north east during our trying times, the time of Boko Haram, when our people were displaced. Thousands of households were received and accommodated by the Kano State Government, widows were trained on different skill acquisition, and orphans enrolled in various schools.
“Banditry has bedeviled the Northwestern part of the country and Kano State is at the forefront of receiving displaced persons and catering for their well-being. It is on this premise that we call upon all stakeholders to treat with caution and allow democratic principles to prevail for the sake of our people in the North,” youth demanded.
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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