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K-SAFE seeks partnership with Plan International to improve education in Kano
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has called for strengthened collaboration with Plan International to improve education outcomes in Kano State, particularly in addressing the growing number of out-of-school children.
The call was made during an advocacy visit by K-SAFE to Plan International, where stakeholders from both organisations discussed strategies to enhance education service delivery and monitoring in the state.
Speaking during the visit, Co-chairperson of K-SAFE (CSO), Dr Auwalu Halilu, described Plan International as a key partner in improving the education sector in Kano.
Dr Auwalu Halilu
He noted that Kano continues to face challenges of high out-of-school children due to its large population and the influx of migrants from neighbouring states affected by insecurity.
Dr Halilu said the visit was aimed at identifying areas of collaboration, particularly in the implementation of ABEP, and commended Plan International for its interventions, including teacher training and other education support initiatives.
Dr Auwalu Halilu
He also urged the organisation to support budget analysis, school enrolment campaigns, and the engagement of K-SAFE members in monitoring its interventions, as well as involving them as volunteers in its programmes.
The chairman advocacy subcommittee of K-SAFE, Hassan Ibrahim Gama, described the forum as a co-creation of civil society organisations, government, and the media, working to promote accountability in the education sector.
Hassan Ibrahim Gama
He said K-SAFE is actively engaged in budget tracking, performance assessment, and monitoring of government and development partners’ interventions as third-party monitors to ensure sustainability.
Gama disclosed that the forum is planning a comprehensive three-year assessment of the education sector in Kano State, covering 2023 to 2026, to evaluate progress and identify gaps.
K-SAFE leadership
According to him, K-SAFE is also supporting the Accelerated Basic Education Programme (ABEP) aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.
Responding, Advocacy Officer of Plan International, Alhassan Hamza Hussain, acknowledged K-SAFE’s role in supporting the organisation at the early stage of its operations in Kano.
Alhassan Hamza Hussain
He said Plan International has been operating in Nigeria since 2014, focusing on advancing children’s rights and promoting equality for girls, while addressing challenges such as poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination.
Hussain outlined the organisation’s key areas of intervention to include ensuring access to safe education, reducing maternal and child mortality, providing nutritional support, protecting children from violence, and empowering young people to demand accountability.
He emphasised that partnerships with communities, government, NGOs, and other stakeholders remain central to achieving these goals, describing collaboration with K-SAFE as a significant opportunity.
He also called for the institutionalisation of the ABEP, noting that the National Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) has developed implementation guidelines for adoption by states.
Project Coordinator of Plan International, Mr Oke David, urged K-SAFE to champion the restructuring of Community-Based Management Committees (CBMCs) across Kano State, describing the partnership as fruitful.
Mr Oke David
Key resolutions reached during the meeting include capacity building for K-SAFE members, collaboration on community awareness campaigns, engagement of K-SAFE members as master trainers under the ABEP, integration of Plan International programmes into K-SAFE’s and conducting budget performance assessments in the education sector.
Both organisations expressed commitment to sustained collaboration to improve access to quality education and strengthen accountability mechanisms in Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim ANIPR
Public Relations Officer,
K-SAFE
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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