News
K-SAFE commends Kano for timely school census, inclusion of non-formal education data
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has commended the Kano State Government and the Ministry of Education for emerging as the first among states supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to successfully conduct and publicly disseminate the 2024/2025 Annual School Census (ASC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the forum gave the commendation following the official dissemination of the census report organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with development partners, education stakeholders and civil society organisations.
In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Abdussalam Muhammad Kani, K-SAFE described the achievement as a significant milestone in strengthening evidence-based planning and accountability in the education sector.
According to the forum, the timely completion and public dissemination of the census demonstrate the commitment of the Kano State Government to transparency, data-driven governance and improved education service delivery.
K-SAFE noted that reliable education data remains the foundation for effective policy formulation, strategic planning and sustainable reforms in the education sector.
The forum also highlighted the inclusion of non-formal education centres in the census as a distinctive feature that makes the Kano exercise more comprehensive and inclusive.
It explained that unlike many education data exercises that focus mainly on formal schools, the 2024/2025 Annual School Census in Kano captured data from non-formal learning centres, providing a broader picture of learning opportunities across the state.
By incorporating non-formal education centres into the census framework, the state government has demonstrated a progressive approach to education data management, ensuring that learners outside the conventional school system are also captured in education planning and intervention programmes.
K-SAFE further stressed that such inclusive data collection is vital in addressing key education challenges in Nigeria, particularly the large population of out-of-school children.
The forum added that integrating non-formal education centres into the census will help policymakers and development partners better understand learning patterns across both formal and alternative education systems, thereby supporting targeted interventions aimed at expanding access to quality education.
K-SAFE also commended the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Education, development partners, civil society organisations and international agencies that contributed to the successful conduct and dissemination of the census.
It particularly acknowledged the technical and institutional support provided by UNICEF, which it said strengthened the state’s capacity to carry out the exercise effectively in line with national education data standards.
While applauding the state government for the achievement, the forum emphasised that the true value of the census lies in the effective use of the data generated.
It therefore urged policymakers and relevant institutions to ensure that the findings of the census inform education policy development, budget planning, teacher deployment, infrastructure expansion and programme implementation across the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has conducted a capacity-building training for operatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to enhance their investigative capacity in tackling financial crimes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, held in Kano, focused on strengthening the technical skills of investigators to address increasingly complex and technology-driven financial offences.
Hajiya Aisha Gadanya Malam Saidu Yahaya
A statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of PCACC, Isah Mansur Bello said the session was facilitated by James Ebiboloukemi, Head of CCS1 at the EFCC Kano Zonal Office, who provided practical insights into the evolving nature of financial crimes and strategies for combating them effectively.
Key areas covered during the training included financial intelligence gathering, analysis of financial records, asset tracing and recovery, digital forensics, detection of money laundering, interrogation techniques, case documentation, and prosecution support.
Participants were also equipped with practical tools to investigate and manage complex financial crimes, particularly those involving digital platforms.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of PCACC, Malam Saidu Yahaya, described the training as timely and critical to improving the commission’s operational effectiveness.
He reaffirmed PCACC’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the EFCC in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Kano State and beyond.
The commission also expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in ensuring the agency’s independence and providing necessary logistical backing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.
The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Africa’s leading conglomerate will feature its flagship Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company at the 2026 Nasarawa Trade Fair, which will be officially declared open by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on April 20.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote Industries Limited will also showcase its Vision 2030, which focuses on driving innovation and Africa’s industrialization.
The Dangote Group is the major sponsor of the Nasarawa Trade Fair and Exhibition (NASTFE) with the theme: Unlocking Industrial Synergy: Deepening the Value Chain and Driving Inclusive Growth in Nasarawa State.
A statement from the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said other Strategic Business Units of the company will be participating at the annual event in the state capital, Lafia.
Anthony Chiejina stated that products to be featured at the Fair will include those from the Group’s Strategic Business Units, such as Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, Dangote Salt and seasonings, Dangote SinoTruk, Dangote Packaging, and Dangote Fertiliser.
The statement quoted the Regional Director/Senior Adviser to Dangote Group President, Fatima Wali Abdurrahman, as saying that Nasarawa State is key to the Group’s overall investment in Africa.
“It is home to Dangote’s Nasarawa Sugar Company Limited (NSCL). The sugar project, when completed, will be one of the biggest sugar investments in Africa,” she said.
Mrs. Wali-Abdurrahman noted that the Trade Fair provides a valuable platform for the company to engage with key stakeholders and Nigerians interested in exploring business opportunities with the organization.
She stated that a dedicated Help Desk will handle inquiries, enabling the company to effectively engage participants on the Dangote Group’s Strategic Business Units.
Speaking to newsmen in Lafia, Chairman and Council members of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nasarawa State Chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said the theme for this year’s Trade Fair aptly aligns with Dangote Group’s vision.
“We align strongly with the vision of Aliko Dangote, whose leadership continues to shape Nigeria’s economic future. His focus on industrialization, local production, and value creation inspires our efforts to connect MSMEs to structured value chains.
“Through this partnership, we are building a bridge between grassroots businesses and large industries, driving inclusive growth,” he said.
He said the third edition of NASTFE is designed as a practical business, industrial, and human capital development platform, adding that it is not just an exhibition.
According to him: “A major highlight of this year’s programme is the Empowerment Skill Acquisition Programme (ESAP), now structured as a package project for sponsorship support.
“ESAP is a yearly initiative from July-December targeting 2,000 beneficiaries across the 13 Local Government Areas of the State.
“The programme is strategically designed as a mobile training system, moving from one Local Government to another to ensure inclusive grassroots participation.”
Speaking on the Dangote Group’s Vision 2030, he said: “Our strategy is to align local enterprise development with large-scale industrial systems.”
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