Headlines
Kano foreign scholarship: 5th batch of beneficiaries depart for India
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The fifth batch of 50 graduates, out of the 1,100 indigenous students who graduated with first class and were sponsored by the Kano state government to study abroad, have been airlifted at Malam Aminu Kano International (MAKIA) to India for their Master’s Degree programmes in various disciplines.
KANO FOCUS reports that the beneficiaries departed MAKIA for Lagos aboard a Max Air aircraft at exactly 7:30 a.m. on Friday in the presence of the Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata, and other government officials.
From Lagos, they would be airlifted to India aboard Air Peace at 2:00 p.m.
Speaking immediately after the takeoff, Dr Kofarmata said the departure of the fifth batch is in continuation of the government’s commitment towards the implementation of the 1,100 postgraduate scholarship programme for 2023–2024.
According to him, “the beneficiaries, when they arrived in India, would be taken to various universities, including Sharda, Symbiosis, Mewar, Sri Sai, Swarnnim, and Kalinga, for the commencement of their Master’s Degree programmes in different disciplines.
The students are first-class graduates who were meritoriously selected based on their performance as undergraduates, he said
He hypothesised that the beneficiaries would study in internationally competitive areas of professionalism to bridge the manpower gap in the state and across the nation.
“A total of 550 students are the first batch who are going to eight reputable universities to study in internationally competitive areas of professionalism to bridge the manpower gap in the state and across the nation.
“The students are also expected to acquire experience, skills, and knowledge with a view to revamping the state’s commercial status and exploring other potential for socio-economic development,” he said.
Dr Kofarmata then stated that the information received by the state government indicates that the beneficiaries have already commenced their academic programmes and are faring in their various disciplines.
According to him,” about 30 of the beneficiaries, considering their academic performance, had already been engaged by the institutions they are studying at as casual staff before their graduation.”
“As you can see, the beneficiaries, their parents, well-wishers, and other good people of the state are joyously celebrating the policy and continue praying for the success of the government in discharging its duties to the state,” the Commissioner said.
He said the beneficiaries also praised Governor Yusuf for his gesture and the fulfilment of his campaign promises to revive the policy introduced by the former governor, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has commended Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf for allocating the largest share of 2025 budget to education sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Co-chair of the coalition Dr. Auwalu Halilu made the commendation during 2025 budget public hearing organised by state House of Assembly.
It will be recalled that Gov. Yusuf had allocated the sum ₦168.4 billion to education sector representing 31% of ₦549.16 billion proposed 2025 budget.
However, Dr. Halilu appealed to Kano state government to expedite the approval and implementation of girls education policy, teacher development policy, non state schools policy and the ECCD policy.
K-safe advocated for speedy passage of the revised Kano education law, expediting engagement with UBEC for timely release of counterpart funds as well as restoring free education funding.
The coalition also advocated for the creation of budget line for annual operational plan, expanding girls transportation and enhancing oversight on MTSS/AESR.
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) is a coalition of civil society organizations, professional associations, academia, media, and government entities working collaboratively to support education in Kano State.
In his address the speaker of the House Alhaji Jibril Ismail Falgore represented by Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu pledged to treat the submissions with utmost respect.
He expressed appreciation to all those who participated in this year’s budget public hearing in the Assembly.
Butu-Butu used the medium to extend condolences to CSOs over the death of I. G Maryam and Prof. Jibrin Isa Diso.
Also speaking the chairman House committee on appropriation, Alhaji Aminu Sa’adu Ungoggo reiterated the assembly’s commitment in passing a-citizens-oriented budget.
He stressed that the house will scrutinize the inputs for possible inclusion into the budget to align with the yearnings and aspirations of the public.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, along with five commissioners, and scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff.
KANO FOCUS reports that those removed include the Commissioner for Information, Halilu Baba Dantiye; Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
In a major cabinet reshuffle announced in a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf reassigned the portfolios of seven commissioners, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who was moved from Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Ministry of Higher Education.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf said the reshuffle of the state executive council is meant to effect a pragmatic political realignment of his administration.
Those who retained their positions include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud; Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran; Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Musa Suleiman Shannon; and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad.
Also retained are the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefianu Hamza; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Auwal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris (Rtd).
According to the statement, those reassigned include Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who is moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman, who moved from Science and Technology to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim K/Mata, from Higher Education to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Others reassigned include Hon. Amina Abdullahi, who moved from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry for Women, Children, and Disabled; Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the Ministry of Special Duties.
Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, is now moved to the Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Haruna Doguwa of the Ministry of Education is moved to the Ministry of Water Resources. On the reassigned list are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda, moved from Water Resources to the Ministry of Education; Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji, from the Ministry of Women, Children, and Disabled to Tourism; and Hon. Muhammad Diggol, from Transport to the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet, including Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye of Information; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
Additionally, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners who have been dropped to report to the Governor’s office for possible reassignment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, formally received the accreditation report for the Early Childhood Education and Primary Education programs on Wednesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the report was presented by the accreditation team from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The team, led by Professor Bashir Maina of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, commended BUK for its substantial investment in e-library resources, which significantly enhance learning and research for both staff and students.
Professor Maina also praised the university’s impressive achievements in the development of physical infrastructure.
In his remarks, Professor Abbas expressed appreciation for the accreditation team’s visit, emphasizing the importance of such evaluations in fostering continuous improvement across all aspects of the university’s operations.
He reaffirmed BUK’s commitment to upholding quality and standards in all its programs, aligning them with global best practices.
The Vice Chancellor assured the team that their recommendations would be addressed promptly.
Other members of the accreditation team included Professor Amos Isiaka Gambari from Federal University, Minna; Professor Markus Zira Kamkwis from Adamawa State University, Mubi; and NUC representative, Nuruddeen Musa Umar.
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