Headlines
Bridge connect unveils new project, as ED get listed as Malala Fund global education champion
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A newly funded project that aims to bridge the access to Girl-Child education has been unveiled by the Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI) in Kano.
KANO FOCUS report that the project, Bridging Access to Girls Education (BAGE) is supported by the Malala Fund Education Champion Network according to the Executive Director, BCAI, Sani Muhammad while briefing Journalists.
He said, “BAGE project will seek to improve girls’ access to quality secondary education by addressing issues around access, transition, and completion of secondary education for adolescent girls through advocacy for increased investment in girls’ education within the next three years in Kano State.
“Taking into consideration existing efforts by the Kano state government and other key actors to enhance girls education in the state, BCAI will collaboratively work with the state vernment, critical education stakeholders, and MDAs to co-create sustainable solutions for more efficient governance and transparency in the state’s education sector and towards the achievement of the goal of this project.
“For the past four years, we have continued to focus on creating an enabling environment where every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, his the opportunity to thrive through quality education and reach their full potential. This is evident in the various itiatives and strategies we have employed to realize our vision. It is worth mentioning that part of our advocacy efforts between 2018 and 2023 led to the adoption of a free and compulsory basic education policy in Kano State in 2021, and subsequently, the passage of the Kano State Child Protection Law 2023.”
He added that recognizing that achieving equal and equitable access to education, particularly for the girl-child, required addressing multifaceted challenges, the organisation launched the Nazari Mai Zurfi Podcast in 2021.
“This scalable solution facilitated our policy advocacy for enacting the Kano State Child Protection Law. Its incorporation into the state’s legal framework marked a significant step towards our goal of empowering every girl and boy with quality education.
“Today, as the Founder of BCAI, I am happy to announce that I have been selected to join the Malala Education Champion Network (ECN) as an Education Champion, and my selection is largely attributed to BCAI’s dedication to improving education outcomes, particularly our Advocacies for increased investment in basic and secondary education as well as good governance in education.”
Sani, therefore called on the good people of Kano and all concerned stakeholders in the education sector to join hands towards advancing girls’ educational rights and addressing their specific needs as according to him, “Upon successfully executing this initiative, we hope to see a tremendous increase in investment in girls’ education as this will translate into more access, transition, retention, and completion rates in girls.”
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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