Headlines
Kano Govt begins review of 60 year old education law
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has begun reviewing its “Education Law 1964” as part of effort to overhaul education sector in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the FCDO PLANE programme in collaboration with Kano State Government and Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) organised a three day workshop to achieve this at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
Yushau Hamza, Chairman House Committee on Education Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi and member representing Gwarzo
The workshop brought together members of Kano state House of Assembly, seasoned educationists, academics, staff of ministries of education and justice as well as civil society organisations to contribute to the review.
Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, a commissioner of higher education said the review of the state’s education law which was enacted in 1964 were long overdue.
He said that the strategic move was aimed at enhancing the quality of education, fostering critical thinking, and equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic world.
Cross Section of Diginatries at the event
The commissioner emphasised the importance of a robust educational law, while highlighting that the current law required updates to meet contemporary educational demands and aspirations of the state.
“The world is changing rapidly and our education system must keep pace with the changes.
“We need education law that not only imparts knowledge but also develops the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of our young learners.
“This review will involve key stakeholders, including educators, academics, civil society organisations, and experts, to ensure a holistic approach to development,” he said.
A Cross section of participants
Kofar Mata said that the review process would encompass various aspects of the education, including basic, post basic and tertiary.
He said it would also integrate modern technology and innovative practices, to create an engaging and effective learning environment for students.
He reaffirmed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s and the Ministry’s commitment to prioritising education as the cornerstone of Kano’s development agenda.
In his remarks the chairman House Committee on Education and member representing Madobi constituency in the State House of Assembly Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi called on the participants to look into the deficiency of English language among students of Arabic Secondary Schools.
Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi
The legislator urged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process, noting that public hearing would be organised by the State Assembly to gather input and recommendations from diverse groups.
He said this would ensure that the revised law reflects the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian society.
“The state Assembly remains committed to improving the quality of education at all levels, and believes that this education review is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
A Cross section of the participants
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication and called for continued collaboration.
Also speaking, representative of commissioner of education, Director Planning, Research and Statistics in the state ministry of education Malam Munzali Mustapha announced that several attempts to review the law by previous administration failed due to non engagement of legal practitioners in the process.
Malam Munzali Mustapha
In his submission the representative of Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) Dr Abdussalam Kani pledged the commitment and contribution of the Forum towards a successful review of the law.
Dr Abdussalam Kani
The lead Consultant Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain said sixty years is a very long period in the life of any given legislation that will necessitate a review.
He observed that, “a lot of developments took place within this period under review that require the coverage of the legal framework regulating the sector.
Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain
“Key among these developments/issues include, establishment of new agencies; evolution of some new societal norms; yearning for all inclusive education to cover issues of indigence, gender, disability and other forms of vulnerabilities; need for security of schools in the face of challenging insurgency and banditry; aligning the law with the National and International standards and best practices; provision of functional education catering for skills acquisitions for self-reliance; taming the contemporary challenges of social media and other ICTs, etc.”
Earlier, the PLANE programme facilitator Hajiya Umma Rakana said “the purpose of the law review workshop is to critically examine the law, identify its weakness, inadequacies and deficiencies in achieving effective regulations of the issues/challenges by the contemporary development.
Hajiya Umma Rakana
“At the end, the workshop will suggest areas of amendment to align the law with the emerging issues/challenges.”
Participants in the group picture
Highlights of the event includes goodwill messages from the Solicitor General and permanent secretary ministry of justice Barrister Mustapha and member representing Gwarzo Constituency Yunusa Haruna Kayyu.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
One Year Without Baba: A Son’s Tribute to Alhaji Yusuf Hassan
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Veteran NTA manager Dahiru Biso loses wife at 58
Two suspected bandits killed, N10m ransom recovered in Kano
Gov Yusuf Joins APC Leaders at Kaduna Presidential Campaign Flag-Off as Kano Delegation Draws Attention
