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Sardauna college holds maiden convocation, graduates 78 health professionals in Kano
Ibrahim Khalil
The Sardauna College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kano, on Saturday held its maiden convocation ceremony, graduating 78 students, with women accounting for about 80 per cent of the graduating class, a development stakeholders described as a significant milestone for healthcare delivery in northern Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, said the high number of female graduates would help address cultural concerns in the region, where many families are still uncomfortable with their wives, daughters and mothers being attended to by male medical personnel.
However, he noted that the northern region remains far behind in closing the gap in the number of female health practitioners, stressing the need for sustained investment in girls’ education and training in the health sector.
Alhaji Dalhatu also raised concern over the wider education crisis in the North, where he said an estimated 15 million children are currently out of school. He warned that failure to urgently tackle the problem could result in a generation that is largely unemployable, with serious consequences for regional and national development.
Also speaking, a renowned community leader and former public official, Dr. Goni Faruk Umar, has charged graduates of the Sardauna College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kano, to see their qualification not as a gateway to comfort but as a call to service and responsibility.
Dr. Umar who served as the Special Guest at the convocation ceremony described the institution as one established by vision and sustained by purpose, with a clear mandate to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery in Kano State, Nigeria and beyond.
According to him, nations do not rise by chance but on the shoulders of prepared and committed citizens, noting that the College was presenting to society a new generation of trained Community Health Extension Workers, Medical Laboratory Technologists and Public Health professionals equipped not only with certificates but with the capacity to save lives.
Addressing the graduands, Dr. Umar said they were entering a complex world challenged by disease, misinformation, poverty and fragile health systems, stressing that their knowledge, skills and compassion were now more critical than ever.
“Healthcare is not only about science; it is about humanity. It is not only about diagnosis; it is about dignity. It is not only about treatment; it is about trust,” he said.
He urged the graduates to allow empathy to guide their expertise and ethics to shape their ambition, reminding them that every patient represents a family, a future and a source of hope.
Dr. Umar commended the Provost, Academic Board, management and staff of the College for their commitment to excellence, noting that beyond teaching courses, they had contributed to character building, confidence and purpose, thereby strengthening the health security of the state and the nation.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of parents and guardians, describing the convocation as a moment when years of prayers, support and perseverance had yielded visible results.
The guest speaker called on leaders and stakeholders to continue investing in health and educational institutions, stressing that a healthy nation is a productive nation and that a skilled health workforce remains the first line of defence for any society.
He further urged the graduates to leave the institution with values of service, professionalism and leadership, encouraging them to be problem-solvers, innovators, ethical and compassionate ambassadors of the College.
Dr. Umar expressed gratitude to the Governing Council and management of the College for naming one of its blocks after him, describing the honour as a reaffirmation of collective commitment to strengthening health education and human capacity development.
He dedicated the gesture to the ideals of service, integrity and impact, and pledged his continued support for the growth and excellence of the institution.
In her address, the Provost of the College, Hajiya Naja’atu Abdullahi, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to uphold integrity, empathy and a commitment to lifelong learning in their professional careers.
She highlighted the institution’s progress in expanding academic programmes, improving teaching and learning facilities, and strengthening clinical and industrial training partnerships to enhance the quality of its graduates.
The Provost also described the commissioning of the Dr. Goni Umar Faruk Administrative Building as a symbol of the college’s vision and commitment to sustainable development in healthcare education.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, said the state is facing enormous health challenges as its population continues to grow rapidly.
He projected that Kano State could record between 600,000 and 700,000 births in 2026 alone, while hospitals are currently grappling with a shortage of about 4,000 professional health workers.
Dr. Nagoda urged training institutions to place greater emphasis on practical and community-based training to ensure graduates are well prepared for service delivery. He further disclosed that plans were underway to absorb new graduates and deploy them to underserved areas, including Doguwa, Rogo and Sumaila Local Government Areas.
The maiden convocation was described by participants as a landmark achievement for the institution and a boost to efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in Kano State and the wider northern region.
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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