News
Kano this morning: Wednesday 19.12.18
By Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Top story: PDP candidate to know fate January 14 – Abba Kabir Yusuf, the candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming 2019 governorship election in Kano State, will know his fate as court slated January 14 to pass judgement on his disputed candidature.
On October 2, Abba Yusuf, a protégé of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, emerged winner of the PDP primaries after polling 2,421 votes to defeat Jafar Sani-Bello, who got 1,258 votes.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Jafar Sani-Bello dragged Abba Yusuf to Kano High Court 3, seeking to be declared the governorship candidate of the party as the latter has failed to inform his ward secretary of his intention to rejoin the party, thereby contravening the PDP constitution.
The presiding judge A.T. Badamasi adjourned the case till January 14 for judgement.
***
Pensioners seek increase of minimum pension rate – Pensioners in Kano have called for an increase in the minimum pension payment in the state.
This call is coming as Kano state government releases N2 billion for the payment of pension arrears and gratuity to 1,313 pensioners for the period covering November 2015 to June 2017.
A pensioner who spoke to RAHMA RADIO said he receives N4,732 monthly to take care of his family including 14 children, two of whom have been dismissed from school over his inability to pay their fees.
He therefore calls for an increase of the minimum pension payment from N5,000 to N35,000 monthly.
On its part, the Nigeria Labor Congress in Kano says it is committed to advocating for an increase in pension rates as soon as minimum wage is reviewed upward.
Chairman of the Council, Kabiru Ado Minjibir says there is an indexing provision in the Kano state pensions law, meaning that the government is expected to increase pension rates whenever wages are increased.
***
Students cry out for scholarship payment – Students in the Kano state owned Yusuf Maitama Sule University have called on the government to pay their scholarship allowances for the 2015/16 session.
President of the Students Union Government Ahmad Yusuf Godiya said the students have been screened and received their award letters three months ago.
He added that the Scholarship Board has promised to tell pay the scholarship allowances by November/December this year.
***
Court sentences intending kidnapper to jail – A Kano resident Kabiru Ibrahim has been sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to a charge of attempting to kidnap his uncle for ransom.
Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa of court number 36 sentenced Kabiru Ibrahim to 720 days in prison without an option of fine and an additional one-year imprisonment or a fine of N30,000.
DALA FM reports that the convict pleaded guilty to an attempt to kidnap his uncle for a ransom of N1 million in connivance with an accomplice Dahiru Abdullahi who pleaded not guilty.
The court therefore directs prosecuting counsel, Ibrahim Abdurrazak Tsanyawa to present witnesses for the trial of the alleged accomplice.
Headlines
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
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.
Headlines
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
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.
Headlines
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
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.

1 Comment