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
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
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