Headlines
Kano Govt begins review of 60 year old education law
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has begun reviewing its “Education Law 1964” as part of effort to overhaul education sector in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the FCDO PLANE programme in collaboration with Kano State Government and Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) organised a three day workshop to achieve this at Hotel Seventeen, Kaduna.
Yushau Hamza, Chairman House Committee on Education Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi and member representing Gwarzo
The workshop brought together members of Kano state House of Assembly, seasoned educationists, academics, staff of ministries of education and justice as well as civil society organisations to contribute to the review.
Dr Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, a commissioner of higher education said the review of the state’s education law which was enacted in 1964 were long overdue.
He said that the strategic move was aimed at enhancing the quality of education, fostering critical thinking, and equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a dynamic world.
Cross Section of Diginatries at the event
The commissioner emphasised the importance of a robust educational law, while highlighting that the current law required updates to meet contemporary educational demands and aspirations of the state.
“The world is changing rapidly and our education system must keep pace with the changes.
“We need education law that not only imparts knowledge but also develops the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of our young learners.
“This review will involve key stakeholders, including educators, academics, civil society organisations, and experts, to ensure a holistic approach to development,” he said.
A Cross section of participants
Kofar Mata said that the review process would encompass various aspects of the education, including basic, post basic and tertiary.
He said it would also integrate modern technology and innovative practices, to create an engaging and effective learning environment for students.
He reaffirmed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s and the Ministry’s commitment to prioritising education as the cornerstone of Kano’s development agenda.
In his remarks the chairman House Committee on Education and member representing Madobi constituency in the State House of Assembly Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi called on the participants to look into the deficiency of English language among students of Arabic Secondary Schools.
Sulaiman Mukhtar Madobi
The legislator urged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process, noting that public hearing would be organised by the State Assembly to gather input and recommendations from diverse groups.
He said this would ensure that the revised law reflects the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian society.
“The state Assembly remains committed to improving the quality of education at all levels, and believes that this education review is a critical step towards achieving that goal.
A Cross section of the participants
He, therefore, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their dedication and called for continued collaboration.
Also speaking, representative of commissioner of education, Director Planning, Research and Statistics in the state ministry of education Malam Munzali Mustapha announced that several attempts to review the law by previous administration failed due to non engagement of legal practitioners in the process.
Malam Munzali Mustapha
In his submission the representative of Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) Dr Abdussalam Kani pledged the commitment and contribution of the Forum towards a successful review of the law.
Dr Abdussalam Kani
The lead Consultant Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain said sixty years is a very long period in the life of any given legislation that will necessitate a review.
He observed that, “a lot of developments took place within this period under review that require the coverage of the legal framework regulating the sector.
Prof. Usman Muhammad Zunnurain
“Key among these developments/issues include, establishment of new agencies; evolution of some new societal norms; yearning for all inclusive education to cover issues of indigence, gender, disability and other forms of vulnerabilities; need for security of schools in the face of challenging insurgency and banditry; aligning the law with the National and International standards and best practices; provision of functional education catering for skills acquisitions for self-reliance; taming the contemporary challenges of social media and other ICTs, etc.”
Earlier, the PLANE programme facilitator Hajiya Umma Rakana said “the purpose of the law review workshop is to critically examine the law, identify its weakness, inadequacies and deficiencies in achieving effective regulations of the issues/challenges by the contemporary development.
Hajiya Umma Rakana
“At the end, the workshop will suggest areas of amendment to align the law with the emerging issues/challenges.”
Participants in the group picture
Highlights of the event includes goodwill messages from the Solicitor General and permanent secretary ministry of justice Barrister Mustapha and member representing Gwarzo Constituency Yunusa Haruna Kayyu.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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