News
CHRICED unveils ‘Make It Count’ Project to boost independent media, human rights reporting
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has launched the “Make It Count” project, an initiative aimed at strengthening independent media and promoting human rights reporting across Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project was unveiled on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja attended by media practitioners, civil society organisations, government officials and development partners.
Speaking at the event, CHRICED Executive Director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the initiative seeks to empower journalists, citizen reporters and community storytellers to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians, particularly those from marginalized communities.
According to him, the project was conceived in response to growing concerns over increasing pressure on independent voices amid rising public demand for transparency, accountability and respect for human rights.
“Today, we meet at a defining moment in our nation’s history when independent voices are increasingly under pressure, yet citizens are demanding greater transparency, accountability and respect for human rights,” Zikirullahi said.
He added that the project would contribute to building a stronger and more resilient media landscape capable of giving voice to women, youths, persons with disabilities and other underserved groups.
“The ‘Make It Count’ Project is our contribution to building a stronger and more resilient media landscape that gives voice to women, youths, persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups,” he stated.
Zikirullahi described the launch as the beginning of a broader movement to strengthen independent media, protect citizens’ voices and promote a future anchored on truth, justice and accountability.
“Democracy cannot thrive without a free press, human rights cannot be protected without fearless reporting, and development cannot be sustained without accountability,” he said.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to safeguard civic space and ensure citizens have access to credible and reliable information.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Anthony Ojukwu, described the meeting as timely.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Fatima Mohammed, Ojukwu said information and storytelling play critical roles in shaping public opinion and influencing responses to societal issues.
“Ethical storytelling has become a powerful tool for promoting human rights, social justice, accountability and sustainable development,” she said.
Ojukwu noted that ethical and rights-based reporting has become increasingly important as Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, inequality, misinformation and shrinking civic space.
He emphasized that journalists and media practitioners remain indispensable partners in advancing democratic values and promoting respect for human rights.
“The media is vital to sustainable development. Development cannot thrive where rights are violated, information is suppressed, or citizens are excluded from governance,” he added.
Delivering a keynote address titled The Future of Independent Media and Human Rights Reporting in Nigeria, activist and labour leader Owei Lakemfa said both public and private media organisations face different forms of influence that can undermine editorial independence.
According to him, government-owned media outlets are often constrained by official interests, while privately owned media organisations may be influenced by the political and commercial interests of their proprietors.
“Media independence is relational. It is multidimensional. It is not something that is fixed,” Lakemfa said.
He observed that although Nigeria’s media ecosystem remains vibrant, it continues to face persistent threats that require urgent attention to preserve democratic accountability and civic freedoms.
Lakemfa called for stronger protection of press freedom, improved safety measures for journalists and greater commitment by stakeholders to safeguarding independent journalism in the country.
Participants at the meeting examined the future of independent media and human rights reporting in Nigeria, highlighting challenges facing journalism, shrinking civic space and strategies for promoting ethical, rights-focused reporting across the country.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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