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AGILE Project increases girls’ education grant to N60,000 in Kano

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The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project has increased the annual Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) from N20,000 to N60,000 per beneficiary as part of renewed efforts to enhance girls’ education in Kano State.

KANO FOCUS reports that this was revealed during a sensitization campaign on the CCT program held in Gwarmai town, Bebeji Local Government Area.

Speaking at the event, the National CCT Coordinator of the AGILE project, Dr. Kubrah Muhammad, emphasised the importance of utilising the funds effectively to support and improve girls’ access to quality education.

Dr. Kubrah Muhammad,

Dr Muhammad urged parents, students, and other stakeholders to spread the message and ensure the sensitisation efforts are cascaded across communities for wider impact.

Also speaking, the Kano State AGILE CCT Component Lead, Malam Naziru Surajo, disclosed that a total of 45,850 students have so far been enrolled under the initiative in the state.

He noted that Bebeji LGA is one of the 19 participating local governments in Kano, with 4,984 girls currently benefiting from the program.

Malam Surajo highlighted that since the introduction of the CCT, girls’ school enrollment has seen significant improvement, rising by 31% overall, with 35% at the junior secondary level and 27% at the senior secondary level.

Malam Naziru Surajo

He further explained that the cash transfer comes with key conditions, including maintaining a minimum of 70% school attendance, which must be sustained for continued eligibility.

The District Head of Bebeji, who doubles as ‘Yan Dakan Kano, Alhaji Sarki Yusuf Bayero, emphasized the need for men to fulfill their responsibilities effectively, particularly in the context of supporting girls’ education.

He reiterated that the funds are meant for the students’ educational welfare, but should be managed wisely by parents.

Alhaji Sarki Yusuf Bayero (Yan Dakan Kano)

He cautioned that the CCT should not become a source of conflict within families, stressing that either parent can responsibly utilize the funds, provided they are used for the intended purpose of promoting education

“The most important thing is for parents to inculcate good moral values on their children to make them useful to society.”

Some parents of beneficiaries, Malam Abdu Gwarmai and Haulatu Musa, asked questions related to the CCT.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

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.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim ANIPR,
Communication Officer,
AGILE Project, Kano.

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Kano Police arrest six suspected car thieves, recover three stolen vehicles

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

The Kano State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a car theft syndicate and recovered three stolen vehicles in a major breakthrough against vehicle-related crimes in the state.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the arrest followed intelligence-led operations by the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS), acting on the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to intensify technology-driven crime-fighting strategies.

 

According to a statement issued on February 22, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the operation was carried out under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

 

The statement said the prime suspect, Aliyu Mamman, 35, was arrested on February 13, 2026, at Hotoro Ring Road in Kano. The suspect, a resident of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State, allegedly confessed to stealing vehicles in Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states.

 

During interrogation, Mamman reportedly implicated other members of the syndicate identified as Abdulhamid Usman, Saliha Abdulhamid, Auwal Shuaibu, Sani Bala and Ahmad Mannir. All six suspects are currently in police custody.

 

Police said the suspects’ confessions led to the recovery of three stolen vehicles: a Golf Wagon, a Golf Opel and a Hijet (popularly known as Kurkura).

 

Commissioner of Police Bakori commended the Special Intervention Squad for their professionalism and dedication, noting that the Command remains committed to sustaining operations aimed at curbing criminal activities across the state.

 

The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.

 

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all residents in line with the Inspector-General’s vision of community-oriented policing.

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Tinubu congratulates winners of Kano bye-elections

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the winners of Saturday’s bye-elections in Kano State, describing their victory as a sacred mandate from the people.

 

In a State House press release issued on February 22, 2026, and signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President lauded the outcome of the polls conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies.

 

President Tinubu urged the victorious candidates to serve with humility, patriotism and dedication, stressing that the mandate given to them by the electorate should be regarded as a sacred trust.

 

He also congratulated the national and Kano State leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as party members, on what he described as their success at the polls.

 

The President commended INEC, security agencies and voters for ensuring the peaceful and successful conduct of the elections, noting that the process reflected growing democratic maturity.

 

He further praised all contestants for their courage and discipline, stating that democracy thrives on vibrant participation and healthy competition.

 

President Tinubu affirmed that the smooth conduct of the elections strengthens Nigeria’s democratic culture and institutions, and called on INEC to continue improving its processes to deliver even more exemplary electoral outcomes in the future.

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Kano begins Ramadan food distribution as Gov. Yusuf constitutes feeding committee

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

The Kano State Government has commenced the distribution of food items ahead of the 2026/1447AH Ramadan, following the approval of a Ramadan Feeding Programme Committee by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the development was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

 

According to the statement, food distribution began on Thursday, February 19, 2026, across 115 feeding centres located within the eight metropolitan local government areas of Kano State.

 

The governor said the initiative is designed to support the less privileged and ease the burden of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. He urged members of the newly constituted committee to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, transparency and fear of God to ensure the success of the programme.

 

Committee Composition

 

The committee is chaired by the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Ahmed Tijani Auwalu.

 

Other members include the Commissioner for Local Government, Muhammad Tajo Othman; Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf; Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Dahiru Hashim; Chairman of the Hisbah Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Shehu Maihula; and several special advisers and directors-general.

 

Also serving on the committee are the Accountant General of the State, Jamila Magaji Abdullahi; the Director General of the Hisbah Board, Abba Saidu Sufi; Director General, Media and Publicity, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa; and Director General, Protocol, Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, among others.

 

All chairmen of the eight metropolitan local government areas—Tarauni, Fagge, Kano Municipal, Gwale, Nassarawa, Dala, Kumbotso and T/Wada—are members of the committee, alongside representatives from the Government House and the Zakkat Commission.

 

Akibu Isa Murtala, Special Adviser on Administration, will serve as Secretary, while Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, Permanent Secretary/AGS in the SSG’s Office, will serve as Co-Secretary.

 

Governor Yusuf reaffirmed that the Ramadan Feeding Programme remains a key social intervention initiative of his administration, aimed at promoting unity and providing relief to vulnerable residents across Kano State during the fasting period.

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