Headlines
FG begins verification for payment of severance to disengaged Immigration personnel in Northwest
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) has begun verification exercise of Federal Government retirees and personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), disengaged sequel to the public service reforms in 2006 and 2007.
KANO FOCUS reports that its Director-General, Alhaji Dasuki Arabi said this at the inauguration of the verification exercise on Wednesday in Kano.

Alhaji Dasuki Arabi
He said the exercise would captured retired federal workers in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara.
Arabi, who led the verification team, said the exercise would determine the extent of short payment and non-payment to the disengaged staff of the Service and other federal agencies with a view to correct the differences.
He said the NIS was one of the Federal Government agencies that carried out severance exercise in 2006/2007 due to reforms by the government to rejig the workforce.

Verification exercise
“During the exercise NIS disengaged a total 1,330 officers in various cadres and levels in accordance with the guidelines released by the BPSR.
“You were only part of the officers and other workers disengaged from the Federal Public Service,” he said.
Arabi said the Federal Government was committed toward ensuring that all verified retirees or their authenticated next of kins receive their outstanding payments.

Retired immigration officers
The BPSR boss said the board had so far conducted similar exercises in Lagos (South-West); Asaba (South-South), and Enugu (South-East), adding the next round exercise would hold in Abuja.
According to him, the verification exercise is at no cost to those being verified, adding that, “no one is expected to pay for anything but to avail themselves for the exercise as requirement for them to be paid their entitlements.
“The essence of this verification is to identify the authentic beneficiaries either the officers that are retired or their authenticated next of kin.
“Immediately the verification exercise is completed, government will proceed under the authority of the Accountant-General of the Federation to make payments.

Retired immigration officers
“I want to inform Nigerians that other batches that have been verified, government has paid through the office of the AGOF.
“We are assuring Nigerians and the beneficiaries that the government is willing and ready, and payments will be made”.
Earlier, the NIS Comptroller in Kano State, Ahmad Bagari, urged the beneficiaries to come with relevant documents to facilitate smooth conduct of the exercise.

Ahmad Bagari
Also speaking, Gbadamosi Nurudeen, the Coordinator of the National Association for Immigration Retired Officers, lauded the gesture, and called for prompt payment of their benefits after the excercise.
Headlines
Dabo’s resignation triggers wave of defections from APC in Kano
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.
Headlines
Five Kano Pillars Amputee Players Invited to Special Eagles Camp Ahead of World Cup
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.
Headlines
Former NPA MD Aminu Dabo resigns as APC caucus chairman in Dambatta
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.
