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.
Aminu Abdullahi
In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 commissioned a state-of-the-art National Cybersecurity Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
KANO FOCUS reports that the facility, unveiled, is poised to become a national hub for digital defense, innovation and talent development.
Dr. Jide Ajayi cutting the tape during the opening ceremony
Speaking during the commissioning, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the center as more than just a physical structure—“a national asset”.
Represented by Dr. Jide Ajayi from the Zonal Coordination Department, Abdullahi noted that the Centre represents a strategic intervention to enhance cybersecurity education, research and cross-sector collaboration across Nigeria.
“This is not just the unveiling of a facility, it is the activation of a knowledge-driven platform designed to equip our nation with the tools, talent and infrastructure required to safeguard our digital space and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” he stated.
He added that the center aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint, serving as a springboard for collaboration among government, academia and industry stakeholders. It will support research, hands-on training, and act as a resource hub for regional and national partners working to secure Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s leadership for what he described as a visionary and transformative investment in Nigeria’s higher education and national development.
Group picture taken during opening ceremony
“This Centre is more than just a building—it is a symbol of foresight, partnership and the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping our universities with critical infrastructure for 21st-century education,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the entire Bayero University community is agog with happiness,” he added.
The event was well attended by a distinguished audience, including the Principal Officers of Bayero University, senior management staff from BUK, NITDA, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of academic and administrative staff, along with enthusiastic participation from students..
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.
A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.
Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.
The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.
AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.
AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.
Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.
AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
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