Headlines
Hanifa’s murder: lack of legal representation stalls trial
Nasiru Yusuf
Lack of counsels to represent Abdulmalik Tanko, who allegedly kidnapped and killed his 5-year-old pupil, Hanifa Abubakar has stalled the case on Monday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the accused Tanko, alongside his two accomplices, Hashimu Isyaku and Fatima Jibrin have on Monday appeared before Kano state High Court No. 6, presided over by Justice Usman Na-Abba.
They were charged with Criminal Conspiracy, Kidnapping, Concealing/Keeping in Confinement a Kidnapped Person and Culpable Homicide, contrary to Sections 97, 274, 277 and 221 of the Penal Code.
When the accused persons were arraigned before the High Court on Monday, they were docked without a legal representation.
The state counsel, who doubles as the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, M. A. Lawal, prayed to the court to decide if the proceeding should go ahead because it appears that the accused persons do not have lawyers.
Na-abba then asked the defendants, starting from the principal suspect, Mr Tanko if they could engage the service of a lawyer or want the state government to provide lawyers for them.
Tanko, who is the first accused person, said he could not hire a lawyer but he wants the state to provide one for him.
Isyaku, the second defendant, said the same thing when was asked about hiring a lawyer.
The third defendant, Jibrin, also said she wants the state to provide a lawyer for her.
The Attorney-General then prayed to the court to adjourn the hearing to February 14 to enable the state provide lawyers for the accused persons as they requested.
The judge then granted the state counsel’s prayer and adjourned to Monday, February 14 for the continuation of the trial when the accused persons get lawyers.
Lawal also informed the court of their application to substitute the charges filed by the state against the accused persons on February 1 with the one filed on February 2, a prayer that was granted by the judge.
Headlines
AGILE Project: Kano awards ₦23.1bn contract for construction of 49 new secondary schools
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has awarded contracts worth over ₦23.1 billion for the construction of 49 new junior and senior secondary schools across the state’s 44 local government areas under the AGILE Project.
KANO FOCUS reports that the development, approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure and improving access to quality education across the state.
The contract signing ceremony was held on Friday, where contractors received official approval documents to commence work on the projects in their respective locations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam.
According to the statement, the schools to be constructed under the AGILE Project comprise both Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), strategically distributed across the state to address infrastructural deficits in the education sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, reiterated the administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector and creating a conducive learning environment for students.
He said the initiative would significantly reduce classroom congestion, expand access to education, and improve teaching and learning conditions in schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the AGILE Project is part of broader efforts by the Kano State Government to enhance educational development, particularly in improving infrastructure and supporting increased school enrollment and retention.
Headlines
SFH appoints Dayyabu Yusuf to lead strategic health partnerships, RevoHealth HMO
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Society for Family Health has appointed Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf as Group Director, Impact Partnership and Engagement, as well as Managing Director of RevoHealth HMO Ltd., in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare access and sustainable health systems across Nigeria and Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced on the organisation’s official Facebook page on Saturday.
According to SFH, the new leadership appointment signals the beginning of a fresh phase focused on improving impact, expanding access to healthcare services, and advancing sustainable health transformation initiatives across the continent.
The organisation stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to building integrated health systems and promoting innovative platforms in healthcare financing, workforce development, advisory services, and sustainable health interventions.
SFH expressed confidence that Yusuf’s leadership would further strengthen the organisation’s impact and deliver lasting value to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Yusuf is a seasoned public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in the design and implementation of public health, social marketing, and health systems strengthening programmes in Nigeria.
He is widely recognised as a health systems expert, health economist, programme management specialist, and community engagement practitioner, with extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, malaria, child survival, and nutrition interventions.
He has also built strong technical expertise across the family planning and maternal, newborn and child health continuum, while leading large and complex teams on multiple development programmes.
Yusuf possesses strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, having worked closely with senior government officials, lawmakers, and influential traditional and religious leaders to drive institutional and behavioural changes that support effective programme implementation.
A seasoned trainer, Yusuf has trained various cadres of health professionals and is known for his practical expertise in participatory community engagement approaches.
He holds a degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Health Economics from Bayero University Kano, as well as an MSc in Microbiology from University of Abuja.
Headlines
Kwankwaso commends IGP over probe into Dadiyata’s disappearance
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
