Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of new academic programmes at Northwest University Kano following a successful resource assessment and verification exercise.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Amina Salihi Bayero, announced the development in a statement, noting that the approval was conveyed in an official letter dated February 26, 2026.

According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of the NUC approved the programmes to run in full-time mode at the university’s main campus, effective from the 2026/2027 academic session.

The newly approved undergraduate programmes include B.Sc Physics with Electronics, B.Sc Industrial Physics, B.Sc Broadcasting, B.Sc Development and Communication Studies, B.Sc Information and Media Studies, B.Sc Journalism and Media Studies, and B.Sc Applied Geophysics.

At the postgraduate level, the commission approved M.Ed and Ph.D programmes in Philosophy of Education.

The approval followed a rigorous evaluation by a panel of experts who assessed the availability of human and material resources required for the successful take-off of the programmes.

Professor Bayero described the development as a major milestone, noting that it represents one of the key achievements recorded within her few months in office as Vice-Chancellor.

She said the approval reflects the university’s commitment to academic expansion, innovation, and alignment with global best practices.

The Vice-Chancellor assured that the institution would continue to strengthen its human and material resources to sustain the quality and growth of its programmes.

The statement, signed by the Head of Public Relations Unit, Abubakar Ibrahim, said the approval underscores the steady progress of the university and its commitment to providing quality education and expanding opportunities for prospective students.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has conducted a capacity-building training for operatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to enhance their investigative capacity in tackling financial crimes.

KANO FOCUS reports that the training, held in Kano, focused on strengthening the technical skills of investigators to address increasingly complex and technology-driven financial offences.

Hajiya Aisha Gadanya Malam Saidu Yahaya

A statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of PCACC, Isah Mansur Bello said the session was facilitated by James Ebiboloukemi, Head of CCS1 at the EFCC Kano Zonal Office, who provided practical insights into the evolving nature of financial crimes and strategies for combating them effectively.

Key areas covered during the training included financial intelligence gathering, analysis of financial records, asset tracing and recovery, digital forensics, detection of money laundering, interrogation techniques, case documentation, and prosecution support.

Participants were also equipped with practical tools to investigate and manage complex financial crimes, particularly those involving digital platforms.

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of PCACC, Malam Saidu Yahaya, described the training as timely and critical to improving the commission’s operational effectiveness.

He reaffirmed PCACC’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the EFCC in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Kano State and beyond.

The commission also expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in ensuring the agency’s independence and providing necessary logistical backing.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.

According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.

The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.

Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.

“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.

The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.

It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.