Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his 70th birthday, saying their political differences will not diminish his affection for the former minister.

KANO FOCUS reports that Tinubu described Kwankwaso as a friend and influential progressive politician, acknowledging his contributions to Kano State and Nigeria over decades of public service.

The President conveyed his message in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday, to mark Kwankwaso’s 70th birthday.

Tinubu recalled that his relationship with Kwankwaso dated back to 1992, when both served in the National Assembly, with Kwankwaso in the House of Representatives and Tinubu in the Senate.

He also recalled that they became governors of their respective states in 1999 as members of the group popularly known as the Class of ’99 Governors.

According to the President, the group played important roles in laying the foundation for Nigeria’s current democratic system.

Tinubu noted that their political paths diverged over the years before they came together in 2013 to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Since then, history and service have kept us intertwined,” he said.

The President acknowledged Kwankwaso’s record as a two-term governor of Kano State, former Minister of Defence, former senator representing Kano Central Senatorial District and former presidential candidate.

He also referred to Kwankwaso’s current role as a presidential running mate, noting that the former governor remained an influential figure in the country’s political landscape.

Tinubu said their membership of different political parties and participation on competing platforms in the January 2027 election would not affect their longstanding relationship.

“As the former governor marks this milestone, I wish him good health, personal fulfilment, and many more years of engagement in the nation’s democratic process,” the President said.

The congratulatory message highlighted the longstanding political association between the two leaders, which has continued despite differences in their political affiliations.

Ibrahim Khalil

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Kano Zonal Command, has appealed to the public to help trace the family of an 11-year-old boy, Abubakar Mohamed, reportedly abandoned at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.

KANO FOCUS reports that the boy, who said he hails from Bafoussam town in Cameroon, reportedly told the agency that his stepmother brought him to Kano and left him at the airport motor park.

According to the agency, the boy has no identification documents but provided some details that could help locate his family.

He identified his father as Baffa and his mother as Inna, while naming his siblings as Manu, Dahiru, Bahi, Zainab and Hauwa.

The boy is currently in the care of NAPTIP’s Kano Zonal Command, located at No. 98, Foundation Road, Farm Centre, Nasarawa, Kano.

In an appeal to the public, Umar Muhammad, Head of Public Enlightenment at the command, urged anyone with useful information that could help trace the boy’s family to contact the agency.

Members of the public can reach NAPTIP Kano on 07080601800 or via email at infokano@naptip.gov.ng.

The agency called for public support to facilitate the boy’s reunion with his family.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Tahir Empire Foundation has provided learning materials to 50 outstanding pupils of Tsakuwa Central Primary School, Tsakuwa town, Dawakinkudu local government area, Kano state, as part of its maiden intervention to support education and improve teaching and learning.

KANO FOCUS reports that the foundation distributed the materials on Monday, to pupils who secured positions from first to tenth in their respective classes.

In addition to supporting the pupils, the foundation also provided materials to assist teachers in carrying out their duties effectively and creating a more conducive teaching and learning environment.

The founder of the foundation, Tahir Sulaiman Inuwa, expressed appreciation to the school’s management for its cooperation and support, which he said contributed to the successful implementation of the initiative.

He described the intervention as the beginning of the foundation’s planned activities, aimed at supporting education and contributing to community development.

The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing its objectives and called for continued cooperation from the school and other stakeholders to sustain its efforts.

The initiative marks the first project undertaken by Tahir Empire Foundation since the commencement of its activities.

In a separate appreciation message, the leadership of the Tsakuwa Mu Farka Sustainable Development Association and the wider community commended the foundation for investing in the education of children in the area.

The association’s Secretary-General, Abdurrashid Salisu Babah, described the intervention as a significant contribution to the educational development of the community, particularly in supporting pupils from less privileged backgrounds.

He said the foundation’s commitment to providing educational materials, scholarships and encouragement would help improve learning opportunities and inspire children to strive for academic excellence.

The association prayed for Allah’s blessings upon the founder, his family and the foundation, expressing hope that the initiative would be sustained and expanded to benefit more pupils.

The foundation’s intervention underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives and private support in complementing government efforts to improve access to quality education.