Headlines
BUK partners Kano Govt to address poor quality of secondary education
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano has indicated its readiness to work with Kano State Government in solving the education crisis facing the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas gave the assurance on Tuesday when he led a team of the University management that at a courtesy visit to the state commisioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa in his office.
Prof. Sagir Adamu Maintained that for education crisis to be solved in Kano, something positive had to be done, noting that one of such step taken by the government was the recent declaration of state of emegency on education.
The Vice Chancellor hinted that in getting to the root of the problems of education in Kano, there is need for the government in power to find out the real picture of the education crisis at hand.
” If you can take your time to conduct research with a view to finding out the real.problem.of education in Kano, the solution is going to be beyond your time.
“So something need to be done. We are highly concerned when we go to do admission, even though Kano is having the largest number of students in Bayero University but during every admission, we are not taking the number we are expected to take because of lack of qualification,” he decried.
Professor Abbas further explained that the only way out of these educational challenges is to conduct what he called a holistic research on education to find out the problem, assuring that the University would remained willing to provide every support to that regard.
He disclosed that there were so many ways the University could assist the state apart from conducting research to get to the real problem.
“Bayero University also has the capacity to provide extensive training to teachers in groups and equip them with what they require to start facing the challenges of education in Kano.” he said.
Prof. Sagir Adamu however attributed the increase cases of Daba, Drugs adiction and other social vises in Kano to the lack of quality education that had characterized the state for quite period of time.
In his response, Kano State Commissioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa described the visit as timely considering the new policies and programmes put in place by the administration to revive the education sector.
“It is obvious, the present administration has inherited the state education sector in a stage of total dilapidation and decay of schools infrastructures and lack of instructional materials resulting to non conducive learning environment.
“We have produced a documentary programme portraying total neglect and decay of the education sector meaning that we have a lot to do in order to address all the challenges of the education sector. This government is now trying to see how it can address those problems inherited on education,” he said.
He assured the management team that the administration would be fully determine to work with University in finding lasting solutions to those challenges by setting a team of researchers that would assist in tackling the situation.
Doguwa asserted that the administration focuses on three basic components aimed at improving the education sector which bordered around access, quality and infrastructural development in schools.
Haruna Doguwa revealed that so many things had been done by the administration since its inception to improve education in the state which include the provision of instructional materials to schools, training of teachers, timely payment of NECO/NBAIS/NABTEB registration fees, recruitment of over 5600 teachers, construction and renovation of schools, repairing of 70 Girl Child Buses, payment of qualifying examination and distribution of free JAMB forms to Kano students among others.
“So, as we really thank and appreciate Bayero University Kano for coming to our aid in finding way forward to our educational crisis, our doors will remain opened at all times for advice and necessary guidance so that we can move the education sector forward ” Doguwa stated.
Hauwa Umar
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a device verification platform to strengthen regulatory compliance, protect consumers and curb the circulation of counterfeit, cloned and unauthorised communication devices in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission said the NCC Device Checker Platform would enable consumers to verify the regulatory approval status of SIM-enabled devices before purchasing them, while helping ensure that devices connected to Nigerian telecommunications networks meet established technical standards.
The Kano Zonal Controller of the NCC, Engr. Maigana Gidado, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing at the commission’s zonal office in Kano.
Engr. Gidado said the initiative was part of the commission’s efforts to strengthen Type Approval compliance and improve the integrity of communication devices used on Nigerian networks.
According to him, the commission has made progress in implementing the initiative through the regularisation and licensing of device dealers, as well as sensitisation engagements with importers and other industry stakeholders.
He said the commission had streamlined its licensing and regularisation processes, enabling a significant number of device dealers in Kano State to obtain licences.
The NCC had also conducted stakeholder sensitisation engagements in Lagos and other parts of the country to improve awareness of Type Approval requirements and obligations under the Device Checker framework.
“These initiatives have strengthened accountability across the device supply chain and improved compliance with regulatory requirements,” he said.
Engr. Gidado added that the commission had developed a user-friendly Device Checker application that allows authorised stakeholders to scan device International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and upload information directly to the platform.
He said the application was designed to simplify compliance procedures, improve efficiency and make the verification process more accessible to relevant industry participants.
The zonal controller urged consumers to verify the status of devices before purchasing them through the commission’s *Check Your Device* portal at [www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/devicechecker) by entering the device’s IMEI number.
He also directed manufacturers, importers, distributors and dealers to consult the Type Approval and Device Verification Guide available at [www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide](http://www.ncc.gov.ng/DeviceCheckerGuide) to understand their responsibilities under the regulatory framework.
According to him, organisations seeking Equipment Type Approval can access the relevant application requirements and procedures through the Type Approval section of the commission’s website.
Engr. Gidado, however, clarified that the Device Checker Platform was not a surveillance tool and would not access users’ personal data, messages, photographs, contacts, financial information or other private content stored on their devices.
He explained that the platform’s purpose was limited to device identification and verification of regulatory compliance.
The NCC urged consumers to patronise reputable and licensed dealers and take advantage of its online resources to make informed purchasing decisions.
It also encouraged industry stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the commission’s Type Approval requirements and ensure full compliance.
Engr. Gidado said consumers requiring assistance or wishing to lodge complaints could contact the commission through its 315 toll-free consumer line.
He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to consumer protection, fair competition and network integrity, adding that the commission would continue to promote a trusted communications ecosystem in Nigeria.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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