Headlines
Academic advocates subsidizing sanitary pads
Nasiru Yusuf
A lecturer at Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, Hadiza Gadanya has advocated for subsidizing sanitary pads in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gadanya made the appeal on Wednesday at a town hall meeting on Alternative funding for girl child Education Initiatives, organized by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) in Kano.
Gadanya observed that, the success stories recorded in subsidizing family planning commodity should be extended to sanitary pads as part of strategy of promoting personal hygiene among women of reproductive age.
The academic has also called for abolishing qualifying examination administer to secondary school students a year before taking final examination.
She noted that many girl students of poor background who fàiled the examination, finds it difficult to complete secondary school.
Another lecturer with the department of Adult Education and Community Development, Bayero University Kano, Auwal Halilu, identified cultural norms, poverty, health and sanitation as some of the major challenges to girl child education.
In a paper titled “Overview of Girl Child Education in Kano State: Prospects and challenges” Dr. Halilu attributed emerging barriers such as insecurity and COVID-19 to the low turn out of girls in schools.
Participants
He pointed out that introducing laws that protects the girl child, quality healthcare, providing opportunities for female school drop outs and employing qualified teachers would go a long way in boosting girl child education.
“Key stakeholders include schools, students, teachers, international and local development partners, Government at all levels, communities have a major role to play in promoting girl child education,” he said.
In his remarks, the state team leader of (PERL), Isa Surajo charged government to map out policies and programs that will improve enrolment, retention, completion and transition of girl child education.
State Team Leader PERL Isa Surajo
According to the team leader, research indicates that, government has no adequate resources to cater for the girl child due to the high number of females in the state.
Surajo noted that, the programme is targeted towards improving girl child education, good governance and learning outcomes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He maintained that, the alternative funding for girl education Initiatives would focus attention on supporting government, citizens and evidence based advocacy programs to upgrade girl child education.
The team leader decried the rising number of out of school children especially females, stressing the need for communities to work together with relevant stakeholders to increase girl child enrolment, retention, completion and transition to achieve the desired objectives.
“There are a lot of resources in our communities that can be used to upgrade girl child education. PERL will continue to support and collaborate with partners to improve governance and learning outcomes.
Similarly while presenting a paper titled, “Trend Analysis on Education Budget: Implication for Girls Education” the coordinator of Kano budget working group, Comrade Safiyanu Lawal Bichi, explained that girl child education goes beyond getting girls to school but rather ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school and gave the opportunity to complete all levels of education.
Safiyanu Lawal Bichi
He said available figures indicated that Nigeria has over 10.5 million out of school children with over three million of the total number in Kano.
He called on CSOs and citizens to follow up and advocate for the implementation of projects which would strengthen and support girl education in Kano state.
According to him “It is also about ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school, and have the opportunity to complete all levels of education, acquiring the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market.”
Participants
The town hall meeting in Alternative funding for girl education initiatives was attended by academics, journalists, students, CSOs, representative of labour unions faith and community based organisations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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