Headlines
Minister expresses concern over low enrollment of Northern students in FGCs
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Minister of education Professor Tahir Mamman has expressed concern over low enrollment of Northern Students into Federal Government Colleges.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Mamman raised the alarm on Tuesday, during advocacy and sensitization visit to Kano State Ministry of Education aimed at boosting enrollment for the National Common Entrance Examination( NCEE) and Gifted Examination in to Federal Government Colleges.
Professor Mamman noted although Federal Government Colleges were established to provide secondary school education of high standard, most of the Northern States were left behind in term of filling their quota.
The Minster represented by the Deputy Director and Head Junior Secondary Education Mrs. Edith Osanyinpejun revealed that statistics made available to the Ministry by the National Examination Council (NECO) indicated that most states in the Northern part of the country recorded low enrollment in the National Common Entrance Examination and Gifted Examination.
“Kano was the first among Northern States to introduce such sensitization campaign on students enrollment in to Federal Unity Colleges during which the state was having higher percentage among it’s counterpart but as of some years back, the enrollment had changed,” the minister said.
According to the Minister, last year, record shows that enrollment of students in to Federal Unity Colleges in Kano was just 574 candidates compared to 5000 candidates enrolled when this campaign was intensified in the state.
He explained that the essence of the advocacy visit was therefore to solicit for the unwavering support and commitment of all stakeholders, parents and guardians in boosting enrollment for the 2024 National Common Entrance Examination to ensure full utilization of the State quoter in to the Federal Unity Colleges.
” It is on this premise that the Federal Ministry of Education decided to bring stakeholders, parents and guardians together as part of its mandate to sensitize the community on the importance of quality of education in the lives of our children, especially when the Entrance Examination for admission into the Federal Unity Colleges is coming up in April for the National Common Entrance Examination and May for the Gifted Examination.
” It is our desire that the state will put in place all the necessary machinery to assist those in the rural areas and the less privileged in the society, who desire a secondary education that is affordable and of remarkable standard,” the Minister urged.
Speaking, the Zonal Director North West National Examination Council Dr. Charles E. Udoh commended the present administration of Abba Kabiru Yusuf for the support and cooperation it has been giving to the National Body since inception.
He maintained that NECO had remained the dear host to the state and would continue to provide the best services needed to improve quality of education in the state.
Receiving the delegate in his office, the state Commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa said Kano State Government would continue to be more Committed to it’s policies on educational development.
He explained that the United Nations benchmark on education remains 25% but with commitment of the present administration on education, the government sets aside 29.97% of its budget for education.
Umar Doguwa announced that even recently, the state had made all arrangements to register it’s students for the Federal Government Colleges, stressing that….” it is now an opportunity for us to start fresh through the most proper way and ensure that our students sit for next coming National Common Entrance Examination
“Kano being the most populated state, we are looking for more opportunity where our children can go and learn and this why we need assurance and cooperation especially from NECO ” said Doguwa.
He further urged the delegation to come up with moderlities targeted towards improving students enrollment in the National Common Entrance Examination and Gifted Examination.
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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