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Dr Faruk Umar appointed independent non-executive director of Fortis Global Insurance

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Fortis Global Insurance Plc has appointed Dr Goni Umar Faruk Umar as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, following approval by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was disclosed by the company in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) and the investing public on Thursday August 13, 2026.

 

Dr Umar, an accomplished educationist, public servant and corporate director, brings more than 40 years of professional experience, including over three decades of experience in board leadership and corporate governance.

 

He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, United States, and has undertaken executive education and corporate governance programmes at Harvard University, Stanford University and INSEAD.

 

Before his latest appointment, Dr Umar served on the boards of Ashaka Cement Plc, CCNN Plc and NAHCO Plc, where he chaired and served on various committees, including Audit, Risk Management, Governance, Finance and Establishment committees.

 

He currently serves on the boards of GTL Registrars Limited and the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund.

 

Fortis Global Insurance said Dr Umar’s extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, finance and strategic oversight would add significant value to the company’s Board in his capacity as an Independent Non-Executive Director.

 

The company also announced the appointment of Mr Ufuoma Ibru as a Non-Executive Director.

 

According to the company, the appointments are expected to strengthen the Board and contribute to the growth and expansion of the business.

 

“The Board is confident that the new Directors will bring their wealth of experience to bear in driving the growth and expansion of the business,” Fortis Global Insurance said.

 

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Egypt seeks more scholarships for Kano students, strengthens higher education ties

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

A delegation from Egypt’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has visited the Kano State Ministry of Education to explore opportunities for stronger educational collaboration and increased scholarship opportunities for students from the state and Nigeria.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the visit, described as the delegation’s first to the Kano State Ministry of Education, was aimed at establishing direct institutional links between Egyptian authorities and the Kano State Government, universities and other educational institutions.

 

Director of Public Enlightenment at the Kano State Ministry of Education, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

 

Speaking during the visit, Professor Ibrahim Muhammad, a member of the Egyptian delegation, said the team was in Kano to identify areas of cooperation in higher education and create opportunities for more Nigerian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Egypt.

 

Muhammad stressed the importance of facilitating scholarship opportunities directly through relevant authorities rather than agents or middlemen, saying this would enable qualified students to access available opportunities more easily.

 

The leader of the delegation, Professor Ahmad Gani, expressed appreciation for the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Egypt, saying education could serve as a major avenue for strengthening the ties between the two countries.

 

He said the delegation had come to Kano to “open the doors and unlock all the possibilities” for collaboration in higher education.

 

According to him, Egypt offers scholarship opportunities to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, adding that the delegation was committed to working with relevant authorities in Kano to maximise the benefits of the programmes for Nigerian students.

 

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Education, Alhaji Bashir Baffa Muhammad, welcomed the delegation and described the visit as an important step towards strengthening educational cooperation between Kano and Egypt.

 

He assured the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to support meaningful partnerships that would expand access to quality higher education and international academic exposure for students from the state.

 

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Higher Education Directorate, Alhaji Salahudden Habib Isa, described the visit as timely, particularly given the growing interest among Nigerian students in pursuing higher education opportunities abroad.

 

Isa disclosed that the state has a standing committee responsible for screening and coordinating students seeking to study in foreign countries, noting that the committee would provide an institutional framework for facilitating and monitoring such opportunities.

 

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Scholarship Board, Dr Mukhtar Bello, also welcomed the initiative, assuring the delegation that the state would explore the opportunity for the benefit of its people.

 

Bello said Kano had many qualified and eligible candidates who could benefit from the scholarship programmes, adding that increased access to international education would contribute to human capital development in the state.

 

He said the initiative would also complement the education transformation agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration by helping young people acquire knowledge and skills from reputable institutions abroad.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation’s visit is expected to pave the way for increased educational exchanges, scholarship opportunities and institutional partnerships between Kano State and Egyptian higher education authorities.

 

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Darul Arkam school honours pioneer principal for six years of meritorious service

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Ibrahim Khalil

Darul Arkam Millatu Ibrahim Group of Schools has honoured its pioneer principal, Malam Mu’az Suleiman Sa’id, for his dedicated service and contribution to the establishment and development of the school.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that Sa’id disclosed this in a post on his Facebook account on Thursday, following a special ceremony organised by the school in his honour.

 

According to him, the event, held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, featured the presentation of an Award of Appreciation in recognition of his service as the first principal of Darul Arkam Millatu Ibrahim, Zawaciki.

 

The award plaque described Sa’id as having demonstrated “dedicated service, pioneering leadership and invaluable contribution” to the establishment and development of the school from the 2018/2019 to the 2025/2026 academic session.

 

Malam Mu’az Suleiman Sa’id said he served in the position for six years and some months.

 

Expressing appreciation for the recognition, Sa’id thanked the Director of Darul Arkam Millatu Ibrahim Group of Schools, Malam Bashir Aliyu Umar, PhD, whom he described as a father figure and a generous elder, as well as other school administrators and teachers.

Malam Bashir Aliyu Umar, PhD,

He prayed for the continued bond between him and the school management and for Allah to accept the contributions made towards the development of the institution.

 

Malam Mu’az Suleiman Sa’id also prayed for forgiveness for any shortcomings recorded during his service and expressed humility over the commendation.

 

He quoted a Qur’anic verse which states: “Indeed, We do not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost.”

 

He further prayed: “O Allah, do not hold me accountable for what they say, forgive me for what they do not know, and make me better than what they think of me.

 

 

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CSACEFA Kano Re-Elects Hassan Gama as State Coordinator

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Kano State Chapter, has elected Hassan Ibrahim Gama as its new State Coordinator.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that Gama emerged unopposed during the coalition’s 2026 state election, which was described as peaceful and transparent.

 

The election was conducted by an election committee chaired by Dr. Auwalu Halilu, who said the exercise marked another milestone in strengthening the coalition’s leadership and its commitment to promoting inclusive and quality education in Kano State.

 

Other officers elected are Mahdi Abdullahi, Deputy Coordinator; Sunusi Hashim, Secretary; Dr. Abubakar I. Hassan, Assistant Secretary; Ghazali I. U., PRO I; Abdulbaki Mohd, PRO II; and Muhammad Abdullahi, PRO III.

 

Others are Garba Hamma Dikko, Provost; Rukayya Abdulrahman, Financial Secretary; Saratu Maigida, Treasurer; and Suleiman Zubair, Auditor.

 

Halilu expressed appreciation to the CSACEFA National Secretariat, represented at the election by its Policy Advisor, Mrs Ordinaka, for the guidance and support provided throughout the electoral process.

 

He also commended members of the election committee, CSACEFA Kano members and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring the success of the exercise.

 

The election committee chairman congratulated the newly elected leadership and urged them to build on the achievements of the coalition by strengthening civil society participation, advocacy, accountability and strategic partnerships.

 

He tasked the new executives with working towards improving education service delivery and advancing the Education for All agenda in Kano State.

 

The former Kano State Coordinator of CSACEFA, Prof. Muhammad Bello Shitu, and the Kano State Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) Alhaji Tijjani Haladu Baraya, were among the dignitaries who supervised the conduct of the election.

 

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