Headlines
AGILE Games 2025: Kano wins gold medals in Basketball, digital literacy
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State’s basketball team has won gold and bronze medals in boys and girls categories at 2025 AGILE Games held in Abuja.
KANO FOCUS reports that the men’s basketball team performed better as they finished tops to win gold ahead of Plateau and Ekiti states.
Equally Fatima Nafiuddeen Marafa and Aisha Ismail Zubairu took home gold honours for their work in digital literacy and content creation.
Among the standout stories was that of the Kano State volleyball team. Though their opening match ended in defeat, the team rallied, finishing second in their group.
In the First Round, team Kano (volleyball boys) defeated team Katsina 25:19 and defeated them again in the second round 25:10. Kano 25 vs Katsina 19 to finish second overall to win silver.
in a vibrant celebration of young talent and achievement, the AGILE Games Awards on Tuesday May 27 honoured outstanding students from across Nigeria at the State House in Abuja.
The event, held as part of the Children’s Day festivities, recognised excellence in both sports and the arts.
Addressing children, dignitaries, and education leaders at the award ceremony at the State House, The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu described Nigerian children as “the heartbeat of the nation.”
She urged the children: “Keep learning, keep creating and know that your potential to make a real difference in Nigeria is limitless.”
Congratulating all Nigerian children, she highlighted the importance of the World Bank-funded AGILE project, which aims to eradicate out-of-school children and keep girls in school. “Every child represented here today has demonstrated what is possible when opportunity meets support,” she said. “You all have shown us that the good seeds planted are already bearing fruit.”
Minister for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, described the initiative as a milestone, stating: “It is our view in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration that education is not just a human right. It is a national security imperative. This is why every textbook is a child in the foundation of peace and prosperity. Every school lunch is an act of social justice. And every trained teacher is a guardian of education.”
He described AGILE as “the most impactful initiative to improve their education in the history of our country.”
World Bank Country Director, Mr Taimur Samad, noted that AGILE is the organisation’s second-largest project in Nigeria. “With two-thirds of girls who start schooling dropping out before they finish in Nigeria, AGILE is working on changing this narrative. We hope to support 50 million students.”
The commissioner of Education Dr Gwani Ali Haruna Makoda commend AGILE contingent for being good ambassadors of Kano state at the national competition.
According to him Kano state government attached priority attention to girls education in the state, hence the introduction of different programmes and policies to breach gender disparity in education sector.
The Kano state AGILE Project Coordinator Malam Mujittapha Aminu described the Kano’s feat in content creation as a manifestation of good result of AGILE digital literacy in intervention in schools.
“We’re proud to be part of this. This platform gives our students a chance to shine. It’s more than just games—it’s a movement.
“We have seven different student groups here. It’s about connection—building friendships and networks that might shape future collaborations,” Mr Aminu said.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project is a flagship programme of the federal government of Nigeria supported by the World Bank.
Launched in 2022, AGILE Project was initially implemented in seven states, targeting regions with some of the highest rate of cut-of-school girls in the country.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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