Headlines
Kano enrols over 4.7 million pupils in primary schools, vows major infrastructure drive
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has disclosed that more than 4.7 million pupils are currently enrolled in public primary schools across the state, following a comprehensive pupils’ census conducted to ascertain the true condition of the education sector.
KANO FOCUS reports that the disclosure was made by the Technical Adviser to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Education, Alhaji Haladu Muhammad, during activities marking the International Day of Education in Kano.
Muhammad explained that the census revealed significant challenges within the system, particularly the sharp drop in enrolment from primary to secondary schools.
“We have over four million pupils in primary schools, but in secondary schools, the number is not more than one million. This gap is largely due to inadequate classrooms, which prevents many pupils from transitioning to secondary education,” he said.
According to him, the Yusuf administration has prioritised massive infrastructure development to address the imbalance, noting that the government is currently renovating dilapidated classrooms and constructing new ones across the state to meet rising enrolment demands.
The technical adviser also highlighted the challenge of teacher shortages, disclosing that Kano State has about 8,000 primary schools with fewer than 50,000 teachers. He noted that when the present administration assumed office, the number of teachers was about 30,000, but recent recruitment exercises have raised the figure to 50,000, with plans for further recruitment.
“Our target is to achieve a ratio of one teacher to 60 pupils in the short term, and eventually one teacher to 50 pupils,” Muhammad added.
Speaking at the event, a member of the Education Forum, Dr. Auwalu Halilu, commended the role of School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in strengthening teaching and learning at the grassroots.
He described the committees as community watchdogs that protect school facilities, prevent vandalism and ensure that children remain in school.
“Our guiding principle is to make schools community-owned, so that every child belongs to the community and no child is left roaming the streets,” Halilu said.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Kano State SBMC, Ibrahim S. Saleh, praised the committees for their efforts in addressing security challenges in schools. He cited a recent incident in Yankaba, where suspected drug addicts attempted to encroach on school premises but were repelled by vigilant SBMC members.
Also speaking, the Ward Head of Kumbotso and SBMC Chairman in the area, Alhaji Aminu Ilyasu, said the committees are intensifying sensitisation campaigns on the importance of education, while monitoring schools and supporting government infrastructure initiatives.
“We are creating awareness among our people on the importance of education. SBMCs are overseeing schools, uplifting them and ensuring regular attendance by pupils,” he said.
The Kano State Government has pledged to institutionalise the pupils’ census as an annual exercise to enable continuous tracking of enrolment trends and emerging challenges in the education sector.
With over 4.7 million pupils currently enrolled in primary schools and pressing needs for more classrooms and teachers, the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring access to quality, inclusive and sustainable education for every child in Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a fresh round of appointments and promotions across key government agencies as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the governor approved the appointment of Hon. Abdulkadir Balarabe Kankarofi (Alhajij) as Special Adviser on Humanitarian Affairs in the Office of the Executive Governor. Until his elevation, Kankarofi served as Senior Special Assistant on Protocol I to the governor.
Hajiya Aisha Tamburawa was also appointed as Special Adviser to the Governor on Positive Propaganda. She previously served as a Supervisory Councillor in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.
In the water resources sector, Engr. Mukhtar Yusuf was promoted from Deputy Managing Director to Managing Director of the Water Resources Engineering and Construction Agency (WRECA), while Zakari Usman Balan was appointed as the new Deputy Managing Director of the agency.
Similarly, Dr. Mukhtar Bello Maisudan, a senior lecturer at Bayero University, Kano, was appointed as Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board.
In the road infrastructure sector, Engr. Abba Kankarofi was promoted to Managing Director of the Kano Road and Maintenance Agency (KARMA), having previously served as Deputy Managing Director.
Also appointed is Hon. Musayyib Kawu Ungoggo as Managing Director of the Kano Zoological Garden. Ungoggo has served in various political capacities, including as a councillor and Senior Special Reporter.
Governor Yusuf urged the newly appointed and promoted officials to justify the confidence reposed in them by discharging their duties with dedication, transparency and a strong sense of responsibility to the people of Kano State.
He reaffirmed that his administration remains committed to strengthening public institutions and delivering people-centred governance in line with the objectives of the Kano First Agenda.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Islamic Forum of Nigeria has condemned what it described as the abduction, rape and forced conversion of a minor, Walida Abdulhadi, allegedly by an operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), calling for justice, transparency and equal treatment under the law.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Acting Executive Secretary, Dalhatu Gwarzo, the Forum expressed outrage over the alleged actions of the suspect, identified as Ifeanyi Onyewuenyi, accusing him of abducting the girl, sexually assaulting her, forcing her to convert her religion and subjecting her to a forced abortion.
The group described the alleged incident as a grave violation of human rights, religious freedom and the rule of law, insisting that the matter should not be treated lightly because of the suspect’s status as a security operative.
The Forum also criticised what it termed the silence of sections of the media and religious bodies, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), over the case. It compared the situation with the widely publicised Ese Oruru case, in which Yunusa Dahiru was convicted and sentenced to 26 years’ imprisonment.
According to the Forum, the contrast in reactions raises concerns about selective outrage and double standards in the pursuit of justice.
“Where is the media outrage? Where are the public campaigns demanding justice for Walida?” the statement queried, adding that justice should not depend on the religious identity of either the victim or the alleged perpetrator.
The Forum called on the DSS to ensure transparency in its investigation and to allow the law to take its full course, including prosecuting the suspect for alleged offences such as kidnapping and statutory rape.
It also urged the judiciary to ensure an expedited and open trial, stressing that Walida should be released immediately to her parents in line with an existing court directive.
The organisation further appealed to the media to report the case with the same intensity accorded similar past incidents and called on the Federal Government to guarantee the safety of the victim and her family.
“The Muslim Ummah will not remain silent while its daughters are abducted, violated and forced out of their faith,” the statement said.
Nura Abdullahi
The Kwankwasiyya Movement Nigeria has appointed two new spokespersons as part of efforts to strengthen its communication structure and enhance engagement with the public and the media.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata on behalf of Kwankwasiyya, the Movement announced the appointment of Alhaji Habib Saleh Mailemo as Spokesperson I and Capt. Mansur Umar Kurugu as Spokesperson II.
According to the statement, the appointments are in line with Kwankwasiyya’s strategic repositioning in response to emerging political realities, where clear ideology, coherent messaging and disciplined communication are considered critical.
Mailemo, as Spokesperson I, will serve as the official voice of the Movement on political positions, policy perspectives and overall strategic direction. Capt. Kurugu, as Spokesperson II, will support coordinated messaging, provide rapid responses to developments and drive grassroots-focused communication.
The leadership of the Movement, under its national leader, Engr. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, expressed confidence that the new spokespersons will further project Kwankwasiyya as a people-oriented political movement anchored on social justice, equity and progressive leadership.
The statement also informed members of the public and the media that all official communications from the Kwankwasiyya Movement will henceforth be issued through the appointed spokespersons.
Kwankwasiyya reaffirmed its commitment to the masses and to the promotion of principled and issue-based politics in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata on behalf of the Kwankwasiyya Movement Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf approves fresh appointments, promotions in Kano
Islamic Forum demands justice over alleged abduction, forced conversion of minor
Kwankwasiyya appoints new spokespersons to strengthen communication strategy
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