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Kano CSOs elect Abdurrahman Abdu as OGP non-state actors co-chair
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kano State have elected Abdurrahman Abdu as the Co-Chair of the Non-State Actors Steering Committee of the Kano State Open Government Partnership (OGP), following a stakeholders’ election held in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the election, organised by the Non-State Actors’ Election Committee at the Kano IT Centre, brought together representatives of civil society groups across the state to elect members of the OGP Steering Committee and thematic leaders.
According to a statement issued by the committee, the exercise was conducted in a transparent, peaceful and participatory manner, with 108 CSOs listed in the Kano State OGP Action Plan and 106 newly interested organisations taking part in the process.
The committee said 21 candidates, who emerged after a screening exercise, contested various positions, while about 80 accredited delegates cast their votes.
The election was monitored by representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the media and the Civil Society Adviser of the OGP National Secretariat, Mr Uchenna Arisukwu, who served as an independent observer.
In the anti-corruption thematic area, Abdurrahman Abdu secured six votes to emerge as the State Steering Committee representative, while Nura Ahmad Muhammad and Dr Yahaya Danjuma Muhammad were elected thematic lead and secretary, respectively.
Other winners include Mustapha Muhammad Chiroma as the State Steering Committee representative for Fiscal Transparency, with Nura Abdullahi and Ummi Khamis emerging as thematic lead and secretary.
In the Access to Justice category, Comrade A. A. Haruna Ayagi won the State Steering Committee seat, while Halima Sulaiman and Aisha Ali Tijjani were elected thematic lead and secretary.
For Citizen Engagement, Zuwaira Omar Muhammad emerged as the State Steering Committee representative alongside John Neme as thematic lead and Abdulsalam Hamza as secretary.
Peter Hassan Tijjani won the Access to Information seat, with Zainab Nasiru Ahmad and Faruk Umar Garba emerging as thematic lead and secretary respectively.
Dr Kabiru Hamisu Kura was elected to represent Climate Change, while Amatul Mannan Mikael Ishaq and Rukaiya Bello emerged as thematic lead and secretary.
In the Service Delivery category, Hassan Ibrahim Gama emerged unopposed after other contestants withdrew in his favour through a consensus arrangement. Aisha Halilu and Nafisa Abubakar Usman were elected thematic lead and secretary, respectively.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, the Chairman of the Non-State Actors’ Election Committee, represented by Safiyanu Bichi, commended participating CSOs for their maturity and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.
He described the election as a demonstration of the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and citizen participation that underpin the Open Government Partnership.
The committee congratulated the newly elected representatives and urged them to work closely with the government and other stakeholders to advance the implementation of Kano State’s OGP commitments aimed at improving governance and public service delivery.
It also appreciated participating CSOs, development partners, observers and other stakeholders for contributing to the success of the election.
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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