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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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