News
Over 100 Women Farmers Receive Climate-Smart Agriculture Training in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
No fewer than 100 female small-scale trader farmers from Bunkure Local Government Area of Kano State are undergoing capacity-building training under the Resilient Opportunities for Outreach, Trade and Sustainability (ROOTS) project.
Speaking at the opening of the training, the Executive Director of Adolescent Health and Information Projects (AHIP), Dr Mairo V. Bello, said the ROOTS project is aimed at strengthening climate resilience, promoting inclusive livelihoods and supporting safe migration pathways for women, youths, returnees and smallholder farmers in Kano State.
Dr Bello explained that the project seeks to address the root causes of irregular migration through climate-smart agriculture, economic empowerment, gender-responsive governance and improved migration management systems.
She said the objectives of the project include enhancing agricultural resilience and inclusive livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities, improving economic inclusion and reducing migration-related risks among youths through sustainable empowerment initiatives, as well as strengthening governance, coordination and institutional capacity of state and non-state actors involved in migration management and livelihood support.
According to her, the initiative also focuses on building the capacity of civil society organisations, women’s groups, private sector actors and local authorities to promote the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement, regional integration, gender equality and the protection of migrants, returnees and cross-border populations.
Dr Bello added that increased public awareness, effective advocacy and active community engagement on safe migration and reintegration issues remain key components of the intervention.
In a presentation titled “Climate Change and Our Future,” Professor Murtala Badamasi of the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA), Bayero University Kano (BUK), highlighted the link between climate change and insecurity.
He explained that climate change manifests in irregular rainfall patterns, the emergence of new pests and diseases, drying water sources, altered animal behaviour and stressed livestock.
Prof. Badamasi noted that climate change has serious economic consequences for farmers, including reduced crop yields and sales, educational constraints, low investment capacity and rising debt levels.
He identified climate-smart crop selection, soil protection, water conservation, farm diversification, improved access to weather information and strong community collaboration as key strategies for climate adaptation. He also stressed the importance of collective action through community seed banks, bulk purchasing and shared labour systems.
The academic added that effective climate adaptation requires joint efforts by farmers, non-governmental organisations and government institutions.
Some of the participants described the training as timely and relevant, pledging to apply the knowledge and skills gained to improve their farming practices and livelihoods.
The ROOTS project is being implemented by AHIP in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), with support from the European Union (EU) and the Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa Phase II (FM West Africa II) Programme.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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