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
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Ibrahim Khalil
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Aminu Dabo, has resigned as the party’s caucus chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area and withdrawn his membership of the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), announced his resignation in a letter dated October 7, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.
In the letter, personally signed by him, Dabo said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future endeavours.
He confirmed his resignation during a telephone conversation from Abuja on Wednesday, saying he had formally submitted the letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for necessary action.
“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.
The former NPA managing director also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity and confidence reposed in him to contribute to its development and progress during his membership.
“I sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity I have received from the party leadership,” he added.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Othman, Media and Publicity Aide to Dabo Dabo, said the former NPA MD did not disclose further details about his reasons for leaving the APC in the resignation letter.
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