Headlines
How Tsakuwa Community employs, pays teachers in Govt schools

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Disturbed by the challenges faced by pupils and students, the residents of Tsakuwa town under Dawakinkudu local government area of Kano state have mobilised resources to complement government’s effort of addressing shortage of teachers in public schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that the community under the umbrella of Tsakuwa Mufarka has employed and deployed sixteen teachers to nine public schools in the town.
In an ideal situation, government is solely responsible for running public schools. While the federal government is taking care of the tertiary institutions, state and the local governments are accountable for effective running of primary, secondary and state owned institutions in their respective domains.
Governments at the three tiers are expected to provide structures, teachers and other staff as well as maintenance of all facilities in public schools to give the citizens education. They are also to pay salaries and other entitlements of teachers and other staff in such schools.

However, these vital functions are gradually been eroded at all levels due to inadequate resources coupled with increased population.

GGJSS Tsakuwa students in class
The community, KANO FOCUS observed that has a about nine schools, but they lack teaching and learning facilities to make them complete schools.
However, it was observed that children of Tsakuwa community are lagging behind educationally. This is because successive governments are not paying the needed attention to the schools in the area. The community has to take action to keep the schools alive after all attempts to get government intervention have failed.
Government Girls Junior Secondary School Tsakuwa, KANO FOCUS gathered has a population of about 1,300 students at present. The students are being handled by only three teachers, a principal and two classroom teachers. Thus, only three teachers are under the employment and pay roll of the government.
However, the community had through Tsakuwa Mufarka, employed the services of three more teachers to complement government employees.
Despite this effort, KANO FOCUS observed that eight other schools in the town are offering skeletal services courtesy of inadequate teachers, chairs and desks.

Members of Tsakuwa Mufarka education committee and leadership of PTA of Alhaji Danjummai Primary School
The chairman of education committee, Tsakuwa Mufarka Development Association Malam Abdullahi Wagadi also told our reporter that officials from the state and local authorities have been visiting the town and noting all the problems affecting it with promises to address them, yet nothing has been done to that effect.
This is in addition to the monthly reports to the authorities at the top of which is always the problem facing the schools, which includes, inadequate teachers, lack of furniture amongst others.
Wagadi said the students could not use the available toilets in some schools because of lack of water.
Tsakuwa Mufarka employs 16 teachers
The chairman of Tsakuwa Mufarka Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan, said that their schools are facing serious challenges and that efforts to make government come to their aid have failed.
The chairman said the schools are lacking of adequate teachers and other basic infrastructures.
He said: “The teachers are not enough and government has refused to deploy more teachers to our schools, so the community has to employ sixteen additional teachers and has been paying them for three years now.”
He pointed out that some years ago, the secretary of the local government education summoned leaders of Tsakuwa Mufarka for a meeting where they tabled the matter, yet government has not addressed their concern.
He said they will continue to encourage parents and guardians to enroll their children in school despite the challenges they are facing in the community.

Distribution of books at Tsakuwa Model Primary School
Some of the teachers who are under the community payroll told KANO FOCUS that their work has been marred by lots of challenges, such as overcrowding of pupils, lack of text books and other facilities to aid them in teaching.
One of them said most times the teachers have to provide the books to use in teaching from their meager salary of N10, 000.
“Because we don’t have enough teachers in the school, a class that is supposed to be handled by three teachers is being handled by one teacher,” she said.
They said that they accepted to do the work because of lack of employment bedeviling the country.
However, they are pleading with the government to confirm their employment through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) as well as provide the necessary infrastructures that will help them in giving their best to the pupils.
Kano declares state of emergency on education
Kano state government says it will soon declares state of emergency on education.
The state commissioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa revealed this at three day workshop for the Development of the annual Operational Plan for education held in Kaduna.
The training was supported by Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria’s Education (PLANE).
The commissioner said with this intended declaration, education shall henceforth take a lead, as first line charge item in government priorities.
With this declaration on state of emergency on education the state is expected to witness a positive transformation in education sector.

Headlines
Breaking: Governor Yusuf Appoints Umar Farouk Ibrahim as Kano New SSG

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Ibrahim’s appointment takes effect from Monday, February 10, 2025.
According to the statement, Ibrahim was selected based on his extensive experience and expertise, which are expected to play a vital role in advancing the administration’s development agenda and keeping the state on track with its goals.

Umar Farouk Ibrahim brings over three decades of distinguished public service to his new role.
His career in the civil service, spanning from 1987 to 2023, has been marked by key leadership positions that significantly contributed to the governance and administrative structure of Kano State.
From March 2001 to May 2015, Ibrahim served as the Permanent Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Political Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In this capacity, he was instrumental in analyzing key policy options, advising the government on viable alternatives, and overseeing the implementation of these policies across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Following this, from June 2015 to March 2016, Ibrahim held the position of Permanent Secretary for the Administration and General Services Directorate.
His tenure in this role showcased his strong leadership and administrative skills. Notably, he served as acting Secretary to the State Government during annual leaves in 2013 and 2014, underscoring the trust and confidence placed in him by the state leadership.
In addition to his formal roles, Ibrahim served as Secretary for several high-profile committees, including the Coordinating Committee on Independent Power (2012-2015), the Committee on the Identification and Sale of Government Property (GP Houses) in 2012, and the State Payroll Standing Committee (2000-2004).
His early career also saw him play pivotal roles in community and educational reforms, such as his position as Secretary of the Inter-Community/Religious Consultative Forum in 1998 and the Committee on the Review of the Operations of the Agency for Mass Education in 1994.
Mr. Ibrahim obtained a B.Sc. in Political Science from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in 1985, followed by several professional certificates that further enriched his qualifications.
As a seasoned administrator and retired Permanent Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a commitment to excellence in his new role as SSG.
His appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the administrative framework of the current government and facilitate the effective execution of its policies and programs.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that Ibrahim’s appointment would significantly contribute to realizing his administration’s vision for Kano State, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership in steering the state toward sustained development and growth.

Headlines
Gov. Yusuf reconstitutes consumer protection council, appoints Zangina Jafaru E.S

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the composition of the Kano State Consumer Protection Council (KSCPC), to safeguard the rights and interests of consumers in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the newly constituted council comprises seasoned professionals, government officials, and business representatives to ensure fair trade practices and protect consumers from exploitation.

A statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa noted that the members of the council include Dr. Umar Garba Haruna, as chairman and Alhaji Zangina Jafaru serving as the executive secretary.

Alhaji Zangina Jafaru
Other key members of the council include Ibrahim Ahmad Gama (Member representing Kano Central), Hajiya Sadiya Umar Bichi (Member representing Kano North), Alhaji Hussaini Bello Gidado (Member representing Kano South) Alhaji Munzali Abubakar (Representative of business community I, Kantin Kwari Market), Ali Muhammad Adakawa (Representative of business community II, Kwanar Singa), Alhaji Ahmed Isah Chedi (Representative of business community III, Dawanau Market), and Sani Gambo (Representative of business community IV, Abubakar Rimi Market).
Others are Halima Yahuza Ahmad (Representative of the Ministry of Justice), Prof. Salisu Ibrahim Ahmad (Representative of the Ministry of Health), Aminu Gidado Yushe’u (Representative of Ministry of Environment), Bashir Shehu Gezawa (Representative of the Ministry for Local Government), Maryam Halilu Haruna, Director Special Duties, (Representative of the Ministry of Women Affairs), Bashir Uba, Director Investment, (Representative of the Ministry of Investment/Commerce), Faisal Mahmud (Representative of the Ministry of Transportation, Agency), Umar Zubairu (Representative of Special Service Directorate) and Shamsu Jibrin (Secretary/Legal Adviser.)
The Governor emphasised that the council’s primary mandate is to protect consumer rights and ensure that businesses operate under fair, transparent and lawful conditions.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to promoting good governance, market confidence and safeguarding the public from substandard products and unethical business practices.
The council members are expected to commence operations immediately, addressing consumer complaints, regulating trade practices, and fostering a healthy business environment across Kano State.

Headlines
Waiya decries poor Hausa advertisements by non-Hausa speakers

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has expressed concern over the increasing trend of non-proficient Hausa speakers advertising products in the Hausa language in a manner that distorts the message and deviates from standard Hausa.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Commissioner made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) in his office.
He emphasized the need for advertisements in Hausa to be crafted by native speakers to ensure clarity and effective communication with the target audience.
“For an advert to be well understood, it is crucial that native Hausa speakers handle its production to prevent distortion and misinterpretation,” Comrade Waiya stressed.
Waiya reiterated his commitment to strengthening the capacity of Information Officers in the state by ensuring their registration with relevant professional bodies. This, he noted, would enhance their effectiveness and service delivery.
Earlier, the Director, Northern Region, ARCON, described the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria as the apex regulatory body overseeing advertising, marketing communications, and public communication practices in Nigeria.
He explained that ARCON operates under the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation with a mandate to promote ethical advertising, act as the conscience of society in commercial communications, and protect consumer interests.
The Director commended the Kano State Government for its support of ARCON and urged the ministry to ensure that all Information Officers in the state are registered members of the council. He emphasized that such membership would significantly benefit the officers in carrying out their duties professionally.
