Headlines
EFCC hands over 324 houses worth N4.1 billion to Kano Pensioners
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
After many years of legal actions and investigation, the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday finally handed over documents of 324 houses recovered for Kano State pensioners to them.
KANO FOCUS reports that the handing over of the houses, occasioned by a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting Abuja, was a result of successful investigations carried out by the commission over a N4.1billion Pension Trust Fund contributed by the pensioners to own houses, which was reportedly denied them by two successive administrations in Kano State.
The Commission investigated a petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners of alleged misappropriation of pension funds in the state. Findings by the EFCC showed that the state government entered into a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to build housing estates for an aggregate sum of N41billion , out of which the Pension Trust Fund was to contribute N4.1billion.
A statement by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, alleged however that the contribution of the pensioners was used to build the houses in three estates located in Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam (Bandirawo city), Sheikh Nasiru Kabara (Amana city) and Sheikh Khalifa Ishaq Rabiu (Kwankwasiyya city), all in Kano but discounted and sold to cronies and associates of two former governors, leaving the pension trustees with low budget and uncompleted houses.
The EFCC consequently stepped in and upon completion of investigation, filed for and secured a final forfeiture order of the 324 properties to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.
While handing over the documents of the 324 properties worth N4.1billion to the pensioners on Monday, the Abuja Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adeniyi Adebayo, assured that the EFCC would continue to do its best to rid the nation of fraudulent practices.
Representatives of the Kano State Pension Board, Alhaji Hassan Muhammed Aminu, Kubra Ahmad Bichi and Salisu Yakubu Abubakar, who received the documents on behalf of the workers and pensioners, expressed satisfaction with the EFCC for assisting them in recovering their houses.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The government has introduced new guidelines for fee increment.
Kano State Government has prohibited private and voluntary schools from arbitrarily increasing fees and forcing parents to purchase materials directly from the schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that Executive Secretary of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institution’s Board( KSPVIB,) Comrade Baba Abubakar Umar, gave the warning in an interview with journalists.
The Executive Secretary said that some schools have been taking advantage of parents through hidden charges and exorbitant fees.
He said to address this issue, the board has introduced new guidelines.
According to him, “Schools must convene a Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting to discuss any fee increments”.
He also stated that school must then write to the board seeking approval for the increase, attaching the attendance sheet from the PTA meeting.
He added that”At least two-thirds of parents must be present at the PTA meeting”
Comrade Abubakar dated that, the board has received complaints from parents who were charged excessive fees or amounts different from what was initially agreed upon.
He therefore disclosed that despite the current economic situation, schools must be realistic and fair in their charges.
“The board will work with relevant authorities to prosecute schools that operate illegally or evade taxes”
He however maintained that the board is committed to ensuring that schools provide safe learning environments and employ qualified teachers.
“Parents are encouraged to report any schools with substandard teaching or unsafe conditions”
Comrade Abubakar emphasised that, new census forms will be distributed to private and voluntary schools to ensure accurate data collection and effective monitoring. Saying that the board remains open to dialogue and discussions with schools willing to comply with the law.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his commitment to education, allocating 30% of the state’s budget to the sector and declaring a state of emergency.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reported that two people have died and two others were injured following the collapse of a two-storey building in Noman’s Land, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the NEMA Coordinator, Kano Territorial Officer, Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident on Thursday, said the agency received a distress call around 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan about the building collapse.
Dr. Abdullahi stated, “The agency received a distress call today at about 2:00 a.m. from a Good Samaritan that a two-storey building collapsed in Noman’s Land Quarters, Kano.”
He further said, “Upon receiving the information, we quickly dispatched our rescue team to the scene.”
Dr. Abdullahi added, “Four persons were rescued by our team—a husband, wife, and two children. Unfortunately, the two children were confirmed dead, while the couple were rushed to the Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano, for treatment.”
The NEMA Coordinator also noted that search and rescue operations were still ongoing to find any persons trapped in the building.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano students from Kano are the top applicants of the student loan scheme, data from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund has revealed.
KANO FOCUS reports that NELFUND, in a data chart posted via its official X handle, @nelfnigeria on Friday, highlighted the number of applicants per state of origin.
According to the data chart, students originally from Kano State topped the list of applicants with 17,122 applicants; Borno followed suit with 13,798 applicants while Benue had 11,754 applicants. The three states were the only states with over 11, 000 applicants.
The implementation of the student loan scheme is President Bola Tinubu’s flagship project in the education sector.
Barely a month after his inauguration as president, Tinubu signed the Access to Higher Education Act, which creates a legal framework for granting loans to indigent or low-income Nigerians to facilitate the payment of their fees in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
The law, reenacted earlier this year, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
NELFUND is saddled with the responsibility of handling all loan requests, grants, disbursement, and recovery.
The fund, according to the act, is to be funded from multiple streams and will engage in other productive activities.
Kano govt cautions private schools against excessive fees
NEMA confirms 2 dead, others injured in building collapse
North not afraid of constitutional review – ACF BoT Chair
Kano indigenes top student loan applicants’ list
Dangote Industries Limited, again emerges as the most valuable brand in Nigeria for 7th time
Young entrepreneurs commence manufacturing of USB cable in Kano
Tinubu appoints Prof Abdullahi Pakistan chairman of Hajj Commission
Top Nigerian Leaders to Gather in Abuja for Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman’s Book Launch
Dangote clarifies stand on NNPC’s crude oil supply to refinery
