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.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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