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10 major impacts of Freedom Radio Kano
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
This week, Freedom Radio Kano marks 16 years of broadcasting as the first indigenous private FM station in Northern Nigeria.
Here are 10 major impacts of the station on the society, broadcasting, and the journalism profession.
- Freedom of Expression – As a voice of the people, Freedom Radio opened the way for dissenting views to be aired in public. It is the first medium to allow opposition politicians the right to challenge government.
- Radio Callers – Phone-in programs by Freedom Radio coincide with the introduction of mobile phones into Nigeria. This has led to the emergence of several radio callers groups such as Aminan Juna, Alheri yafi Mugunta, etc.
- Verbal Warriors – The Kowanne Gauta program, which gives ordinary citizens the right to comment on policy and political matters, has spawned a group of political commentators known in Hausa as “sojojin baka”.
- Public Complaints – The Inda Ranka program of Freedom has provided a genuine platform for addressing public grievances. For most people in power, the fear of Inda Ranka is now the beginning of wisdom.
- Crowd Funding – Sick persons with limited resources now resort to Freedom Radio as a platform to generate assistance from its listeners.
- Islamic Diversity – Freedom Radio has given mass media access to young Islamic scholars with different understandings of the religion sometimes at the expense of its own safety.
- Free Humanitarian Announcement – As part of its corporate social responsibilities, Freedom Radio Kano introduced the concept of free announcements for lost or found items, and obituaries.
- Promoting Hausa Language – Almost all the programs broadcast by Freedom Radio are in Hausa language, contrary to the previous practice in public radio stations of giving primacy to English language.
- Mainstreaming modern Hausa music – Prior to the emergence of Freedom Radio, the only Hausa songs broadcast on radio were traditional. It was Freedom Radio that first provided access to the mass media for Kannywood singers and other modern genres of Hausa music.
- Human Development – Freedom Radio has become a practical training ground for Northern Nigerian broadcasters. All the major international Hausa broadcasting services such as BBC, VOA, DW, RFI, and CRI have Freedom Radio alumni as part of their staff.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
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