News
Dangote Food Intervention Excites Host Communities In Kogi
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Representatives of the diverse host communities and ethnic groups at the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana; and that of Dangote Coal Mines Limited, Ankpa, Kogi State,aq expressed their excitement over the Food Intervention Programme of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF).
In an outpouring of appreciation, a Monarch, the Bajana of Obajana, Engr Idowu Isenibi, described the Food Intervention Programme of the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) as timely.
Obajana is home to West African largest cement factory, the Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana.
“It is coming at the time Nigerians are in need. We are humbled by this generosity, but like Oliver Twist, we would always ask for more,” Engr Isenibi said.
The Monarch said, “We are peaceful people. We have been protecting his investment, and we will continue this path bequeathed to us by our forefathers.
“We promise not to betray or disappoint Alhaji Aliko Dangote.”
This paper can report that N15billion was earmarked for the Food Intervention Programme by the Aliko Dangote Foundation.
Representatives of the different religions and ethnic groups took turn to pledge their unwavering support for the Dangote Cement Plc.
Speaking, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who was represented by his secretary, Pastor Pius Ushie, described Mr. Dangote as God sent, adding that the food intervention would positively impact the lives of many impoverished and vulnerable people in the state and Nigeria.
According to him, the Christian community in Obajana will continue to pray for the success of the Dangote Cement Plc.
The Muslim Community, represented by the Deputy Chief Imam, Mallam Saidu Adamu, said Dangote has contributed to peace, security, and economic development of Kogi State in general.
He said in Islam feeding the poor attracts great reward, calling on other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Mr. Dangote’s act of generosity.
Leader of the Yoruba community, Ismail Adetunji, said the rice donation by the ADF would not only cushion the economic situation of the poor, but it would also help in creating a sense of unity among the members of the host communities.
On his part, the leader of the Igala community, Daiko Gideon, said his community members would continue to support the company, even as he commended it for the several social intervention schemes over the years.
Speaking earlier, General Manager, Social Performance, Ademola Adeyemi, said the food initiative represents a continuation of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting the government and the Nigerian populace in alleviating economic hardship within the country.
He thanked the communities for being the Ambassadors of the Dangote Cement Plc in the state.
Representative of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Sanusi Abdulkadir, said the Foundation would not rest on its oars in giving back to society.
At Ankpa Local Government Area, home to the Dangote Coal Mines Limited, Mr. Husseini Christian, a community leader commended the Foundation for the food donation, saying it would further enhance the existing cordial relationship between the company and the community.
Similarly, Mallam Ismail Yakubu, representing Awo Ate said the food intervention came at the right time, and would create succor to members of the community.
On his part, Mr. Peter Adejoh, representative of the Awo Akpali Community, said his people were grateful for the support, adding that it would go a long in easing the economic realities among members of the community.
Representative of the Onupi Community, Abdullahi Saidu, and his counterpart, Abdullahi Garba Muhammad who represented the Ajobe-Ofeanyaka community of Ankpa said the support of the Aliko Dangote Foundation is huge in his community, just as he said the community members would not relent in its support for the company.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has commended Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf for allocating the largest share of 2025 budget to education sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Co-chair of the coalition Dr. Auwalu Halilu made the commendation during 2025 budget public hearing organised by state House of Assembly.
It will be recalled that Gov. Yusuf had allocated the sum ₦168.4 billion to education sector representing 31% of ₦549.16 billion proposed 2025 budget.
However, Dr. Halilu appealed to Kano state government to expedite the approval and implementation of girls education policy, teacher development policy, non state schools policy and the ECCD policy.
K-safe advocated for speedy passage of the revised Kano education law, expediting engagement with UBEC for timely release of counterpart funds as well as restoring free education funding.
The coalition also advocated for the creation of budget line for annual operational plan, expanding girls transportation and enhancing oversight on MTSS/AESR.
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) is a coalition of civil society organizations, professional associations, academia, media, and government entities working collaboratively to support education in Kano State.
In his address the speaker of the House Alhaji Jibril Ismail Falgore represented by Bello Muhammad Butu-Butu pledged to treat the submissions with utmost respect.
He expressed appreciation to all those who participated in this year’s budget public hearing in the Assembly.
Butu-Butu used the medium to extend condolences to CSOs over the death of I. G Maryam and Prof. Jibrin Isa Diso.
Also speaking the chairman House committee on appropriation, Alhaji Aminu Sa’adu Ungoggo reiterated the assembly’s commitment in passing a-citizens-oriented budget.
He stressed that the house will scrutinize the inputs for possible inclusion into the budget to align with the yearnings and aspirations of the public.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Kano has launched twenty learning centres under the second chance component in Gwarzo local government, a game-changer for dropouts and out-of-school adolescent girls and young mothers.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative was to provide another opportunity for the beneficiaries to complete their secondary education, equipping them with entrepreneurship and essential life skills for self-reliance and improved living standards.
The event held at Gwarzo Islamic Center witnessed a large turnout of top government functionaries, traditional and religious leaders, parents, learners and all relevant stakeholders in the education sector.
In his remarks, Kano state AGILE coordinator Alhaji Nasiru Abdullahi Kwali explained that the newly introduced Second Chance Education (Sub-Component 2.2c) is resigned to provide another opportunity for dropouts and out-of-school adolescent girls and young mothers to complete their secondary education, in addition to equipping them with entrepreneurship and essential life skills for self-reliance and improved living standards.
He stressed that the mentors and facilitators will be trained in addition to the provision of facilities to enable them acquire the needed knowledge and skills according to global standard.
The state coordinator pointed out that, they were at Gwarzo LGA to inaugurate the second chance learning center through the utilization of Adult Learning Centers spread across communities under the State Agency for Mass Education (SAME).
The AGILE second chance education component 2.2c lead person Hajiya Jamila Ibrahim, revealed that the 800 beneficiaries were mobilised from 10 political wards in Gwarzo local government area.
She said “The federal government approved 20 centers for each state but Gwarzo LGA requested for a center across all the political wards to accommodate it’s teeming populaci.”
She urged young women between the ages of 15-25 to utilize the opportunity to join the second chance education by receiving the expression of interest form to seek consent from their guardians before submitting to the ward head for enrollment.IMG 20241211 WA0253
The chairman Gwarzo local government area Dr. Mani Tsoho described the new second chance education component by AGILE as apt.
He reiterated the LGAs commitment in providing all the necessary support to achieve the desired objectives.
“We will provide more learning centres to accommodate the large population as you can see the Islamic centre is full and many more are coming”
The technical adviser AGILE second Chance 2.2c, Dr Auwal Halilu, pointed out that the component offers the opportunity to young women to acquire knowledge without compromising their day-to-day activities.
“It is organized in such a way that women and young girls can acquire learning at their convenience”
Some of the enrollees for the second chance education in Gwarzo Hafsat Sani Usman, Khadijah Aliyu Sani promised to dedicate themselves to their studies.
This initiative is part of the AGILE Project, a multi-sectoral development project implemented by the Kano State Ministry of Education to address the constraints hindering adolescent girls’ transition, retention, and completion of secondary education.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, along with five commissioners, and scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff.
KANO FOCUS reports that those removed include the Commissioner for Information, Halilu Baba Dantiye; Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
In a major cabinet reshuffle announced in a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf reassigned the portfolios of seven commissioners, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who was moved from Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Ministry of Higher Education.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf said the reshuffle of the state executive council is meant to effect a pragmatic political realignment of his administration.
Those who retained their positions include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud; Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran; Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Musa Suleiman Shannon; and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad.
Also retained are the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefianu Hamza; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Auwal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris (Rtd).
According to the statement, those reassigned include Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who is moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman, who moved from Science and Technology to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim K/Mata, from Higher Education to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Others reassigned include Hon. Amina Abdullahi, who moved from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry for Women, Children, and Disabled; Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the Ministry of Special Duties.
Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, is now moved to the Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Haruna Doguwa of the Ministry of Education is moved to the Ministry of Water Resources. On the reassigned list are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda, moved from Water Resources to the Ministry of Education; Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji, from the Ministry of Women, Children, and Disabled to Tourism; and Hon. Muhammad Diggol, from Transport to the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet, including Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye of Information; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
Additionally, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners who have been dropped to report to the Governor’s office for possible reassignment.
K-SAFE lauds Kano’s ₦168.4 billion education budget allocation
AGILE launches ‘second chance’ learning centers in Gwarzo
Gov Yusuf reshuffles cabinet, sacks SSG, chief of staff
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