Headlines
Pathfinder trains KanSLAM members on communication strategy
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Pathfinder International has supported the Kano State-Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), in collaboration in developing a communications strategy for the SLAM.
KANO FOCUS reports that the communication strategy was developed during a five-day intensive training which resulted in developing a robust communications strategy for the SLAM.
The training, held from July 29th to August 2nd, 2024, in Kaduna, also focused on enhancing the organization’s capacity to effectively advocate for improvements in the health and education sectors in Kano State.
A communications strategy is crucial for an organization as it provides a structured approach to effectively convey its messages, goals, and values to target audiences. It helps align all communication efforts with the organization’s objectives, ensuring consistency and clarity in messaging across various platforms.
Pharm. Maimuna Yakubu, the Co-chair of KanSLAM, expressed her enthusiasm for the new communications strategy, emphasizing its potential to significantly impact the SLAM’s efforts in health and education advocacy.
“This strategy will enhance the work and outcomes of KanSLAM, particularly in our key focus areas of health and education. To ensure that our advocacy efforts in these sectors are successful, we need compelling and dynamic ways to share our evidence and push policymakers to act on them. This training has equipped us to achieve that,” Pharm Yakubu stated.
She further urged KanSLAM members to actively apply their newly acquired communication skills to improve the SLAM’s overall communication efforts.
Dr. Sakina Bello, Senior Technical Adviser at Pathfinder International, highlighted the importance of effective communication for KanSLAM, a coalition focused on accountability and advocacy.
“We identified some communication gaps within KanSLAM, and this training was designed to bridge those gaps. During the course of the training, the SLAM has been able to identify some of its communication challenges and opportunities for progress,” Dr. Sakina noted.
She hopes that KanSLAM would not only internalize the new communications strategy but also incorporate it into their daily activities beyond the health and education sectors. “I am happy that they will now use the communication strategy to directly advocate in areas where they desire change, and I hope that change will be seen,” she added.
Bayo Ewuola, Senior Media and Communications Officer for Pathfinder International, elaborated on the significance of the training for KanSLAM.
“Communication, evidence generation, and documentation are crucial for KanSLAM. As a CSO-led organization, there should be systems and structures in place to guide their communication operations. This training seeks to build their capacity so they can increase their visibility as a SLAM,” Ewuola explained.
He emphasized the importance of KanSLAM’s media representatives in packaging their advocacy efforts effectively to ensure they are compelling when presented for action.
“We have developed a robust communication strategy for the SLAM, along with a content calendar, content strategy, and advocacy checklist. All of this will enhance KanSLAM’s visibility in the near future,” he concluded.
Mukhtar Suleiman, a communications expert who facilitated the training, praised KanSLAM’s progress in developing a functional communications strategy.
“The SLAM now has a functional communications strategy that all members of the team collectively pitched and adopted, which is a significant win for the SLAM,” Suleiman said.
He encouraged consistency in working with the strategy for effectiveness and urged the SLAM to continue finding new ways to improve on the outcomes generated during the training.
“I am pleased that some of the challenges identified during the SWOT analysis have already been addressed, and I am happy with the SLAM for doing that. This training will benefit KanSLAM in reporting on findings in health and education, and I believe they will achieve better outcomes in documenting their successes and communicating effectively,” Suleiman added.
The Chairperson of the Knowledge Management Committee (KMC) in KanSLAM Nafisa Murtala, expressed her satisfaction with the training and appealed to committee members to apply the newly developed communications strategy in discharging their duties.
“This training has been invaluable, and I am confident that KanSLAM’s visibility will improve in the coming weeks,” Murtala stated, reflecting the optimism shared by all participants regarding the future of KanSLAM’s advocacy efforts.
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.
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