Kano state governor, Abba Yusuf, has appointed his recently sacked Chief of Staff (CoS), Shehu Wada Sagagi, as the secretary of the Kano State Shura Council.
Sagagi was removed from office on Thursday alongside the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and five commissioners, with the CoS position subsequently scrapped.
The governor named Professor Shehu Galadanci as chairman of the 46-member council, with Professor Muhammad Sani Zahraddeen serving as vice chairman.
The Kano State Government said it will, through domestication and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy, lift over two million women out of poverty by 2029.
The State’s Commissioner of the Ministry of Women, Children and the Disabled, Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, disclosed this in Kaduna on Thursday at a two-day validation workshop on the domestication of the WEE Policy.
The WEE validation workshop, organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and the Disabled, is in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), and supported by the Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners, is a Wali Empowerment Initiative.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Iliyasu Yakasai, said domesticating the policy in Kano State is a commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in the state.
While describing the policy as not just a programme, the Commissioner added that the state has viewed the WEE policy as a vision that will enable every woman in Kano State to pursue her dreams, contribute to the economy, and enhance the welfare of her family members.
“In Kano State, we understand that empowering women is not just a matter of social justice, but it is a key driver of sustainable development. When you invest in women, you are investing in families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” she added.
The Commissioner however commended partners, donors, and other civil society for their commitment and investment in the domestication of the policy, hoping that they will support in investing in the implementation of the policy when it is launched next year.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr Judith Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnership and Communications, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for national development and growth, adding that when domesticated and implemented, the Policy will contribute 30% of the economic growth of Kano state.
In her presentation at the event, the Executive Director of IWEI, representing the WEE Catalyst Fund Partner (Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and Fable Advisory), Hajiya Amina Hanga, urged the state government to ensure the full and effective implementation of the policy when domesticated and pledged her organisation’s support in that regard.
The Kano state overnment has pledged to empower over two million women through the domestication and implementation of the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy by 2029.
The Commissioner for Women, Children, and the Disabled, Hajiya Aisha Lawal Saji, revealed this on Thursday during a two-day validation workshop on the domestication of the WEE Policy held in Kaduna.
The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and the Disabled, was conducted in collaboration with the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and supported by the Ford Foundation, Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund, and the WEE Catalyst Fund Partners under the Wali Empowerment Initiative.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Muntaka Iliyasu Yakasai, said domesticating the policy in Kano state is a commitment to advancing women’s economic empowerment in the state.
While describing the policy as not just a programme, the Commissioner added that the state has viewed the WEE policy as a vision that will enable every woman in Kano state to pursue her dreams, contribute to the economy, and enhance the welfare of her family members.
“In Kano state, we understand that empowering women is not just a matter of social justice, but it is a key driver of sustainable development. When you invest in women, you are investing in families, communities, and the nation as a whole,” she added.
The Commissioner however commended partners, donors, and other civil society for their commitment and investment in the domestication of the policy, hoping that they will support in investing in the implementation of the policy when it is launched next year.
“We will engage in a thorough review of our existing strategies, assess the effectiveness of our plans in the future, share our thoughts, and learn from one another as we strive to create a more supportive and enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, workers, and caregivers in Kano state.
“We firmly believe that, with all these in place and with domestication and proper implementation of the WEE Policy, we will succeed in lifting at least 2 million women out of poverty by 2029,” she added.
Earlier, the Executive Director of the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), Dr Judith Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnership and Communications, Hassan Aliyu Karofi, described the WEE policy as a catalyst for national development and growth, adding that when domesticated and implemented, the Policy will contribute 30% of the economic growth of Kano state.
In her presentation at the event, the Executive Director of IWEI, representing the WEE Catalyst Fund Partner (Isa Wali Empowerment Initiative and Fable Advisory), Hajiya Amina Hanga, urged the state government to ensure the full and effective implementation of the policy when domesticated and pledged her organisation’s support in that regard.
With the Harmattan hitting Kano, second-hand clothing dealers, popularly known as Yan’gwanjo, are recording increase in sales, as people kit themselves for the period.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited various markets in the metropolis on Friday observed a rush for second-hand warm clothes, blankets, and head warmers in response to the intense cold weather.
In several areas, temporary markets and makeshift shops have sprung up to cater to the increasing demand for such items.
Some of the dealers interviewed expressed satisfaction with the surge in business.
Musa Saleh, who sells second-hand children’s cardigans, head warmers, and trousers at Kofar-Wambai in Kano metropolis, told NAN that the demand for the items had picked up over the past few weeks.
“The high demand for these items has made business very lucrative. Customers often beg me to inform them when I open new bales,” he said.
Saleh added that he typically earns close to N30, 000 or more from sales.
Similarly, another dealer at Sabon-Gari market, in Fagge local government area, Mrs Alice John, who specialises in second-hand winter jackets and head warmers, confirmed that the business had been especially profitable over the past few weeks.
“Since the start of the cold weather, my patronage has doubled. I now open a new bale of clothing every three days,” she said.
Malam Abdul Gwarzo, who sells second-hand women’s clothing at Farm center in Tarauni local government area, said that business had significantly picked up in recent days.
“I make about N25,000 on each bale I open,” he said.
Another dealer at Yankaba market in Nasarawa local government area, Nura Yusuf, explained that he ventured into the second-hand clothing business because it is always profitable during the Harmattan season.
He said that, due to a lack of nearby second-hand markets, he decided to supplement his provisions business by selling warm clothing.
Yusuf also revealed high levels of patronage, with customers flocking to his shop for the items daily.
However, some customers expressed concerns over the rising prices of second-hand clothes.
Aisha Abubakar, a shopper at Kofar-Wambai market, lamented the high prices.
“The weather is very cold, and I don’t want to compromise my health or that of my family. That’s why I’m here to buy these clothes. However, the prices are much higher compared to last year,” she said.
Abubakar lamented that last year he purchased six sets of cardigans for N5,000, as opposed to N7,500 this year.
Similarly, Bala Yakasai, a civil servant, who was shopping for warm clothes for his five children, claimed that sellers were taking advantage of the high demand to increase prices.
Yakasai stated that last year he purchased seven pieces of warm clothing for N4,500, compared to N7,000 this year.
(NAN)
Kano State Public Complaints and Anti- Corruption Commission (PCACC) has uncovered no fewer than 16,800 President Bola Tinubu branded 50kg rice palliative worth over N1 billion at a warehouse in the state metropolis.
Chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Magaji, who made this known yesterday, conducted newsmen round the warehouse located at Ring Road, Kano.
It was gathered the re-bagged rice allegedly moved to the warehouse were about 28 trailers, of which each trailer consisted of 600 bags.
A bag (50kg) of the federal government rice palliative has the portrait of the president and carries the instruction: Not For Sale; The Renewed Hope for Unity and Progress. The repackaged bag is written: “Elephant Classic Parboiled Rice.”
Magaji described the act as criminal and shameful, narrating that the discovery followed tips off by some good people of Kano.
One culprit has been arrested by the commission. His probe is expected to lead to more arrests, the commission said.
He said: “The 16,800 bags were meant for the last Ramadan festival, but were diverted to this warehouse and are being re-bagged into another label bags to be resold.
“The rice has the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, bodily written: His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Not For Sale; 50kg Ramadan Kareem.
“However, these bags of rice were being re-bagged into another bags labeled: Big Mama Rice, Premium Quality and another bag tagged; Elephant Classic Parboiled Rice, 100% sortexed.
“All the necessary information about this sad shoddy deal would be passed to the state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and President Bola Tinubu for necessary action to be taken against the culprits.
He emphasised that “this criminal act would not be tolerated – diverting, re-bagging and selling rice palliative meant for the poor.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has uncovered over 16,800 bags of 50kg rice branded with President Tinubu’s image, valued at more than N1 billion, in a warehouse in Kano city.
Chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Magaji, revealed the discovery on Tuesday, led to a press tour of the warehouse located on Ring Road.
The rice, which had been rebagged and allegedly moved to the warehouse in 28 trailers, each containing 600 bags, was intended as a federal government palliative.
The bags, branded with the portrait of President Tinubu and the inscription “Not For Sale; The Renewed Hope for Unity and Progress,” had been repackaged under the label “Elephant Classic Parboiled Rice.”
Magaji described the act as criminal and shameful, narrating that the discovery followed tips off by some good people of Kano.
One culprit has been arrested by the commission. His probe is expected to lead to more arrests, the commission said.
“The 16,800 bags were meant for the last Ramadan festival, but were diverted to this warehouse and are being rebagged into another label bags to be resold.
“The rice has the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, bodily written: His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Not For Sale; 50kg Ramadan Kareem.
“However, this bags of rice were being rebagged into another bags labeled: Big Mama Rice, Premium Quality and another bag tagged; Elephant Classic Parboiled Rice, 100% sortexed,” Barrister Magaji queried.
He added: “All the necessary information about this sad shoddy deal would be passed to the state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and President Bola Tinubu for necessary action to be taken against the culprits.
“This criminal act would not be tolerated -diverting, rebagging and selling rice palliative meant for the poor.”
The member representing Albasu/Gaya/Ajingi Federal constituency of Kano state, Ghali Mustapha Tijjani, has advocated for homeschooling as a means of addressing Nigeria’s struggling educational system.
This was as he sponsored two bills in the House of Representatives to provide for homeschooling in the country.
The bills are the “Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1860)” and the “Child’s Rights Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (HB.1859)”.
The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, which passed its first reading on Thursday, aims to provide a legal framework for homeschooling, addressing issues of access, quality, and inclusivity in education.
Speaking with The Nation on Saturday, the lawmaker said his motivation to sponsor the bill was from lessons learned during the COVID-19.
He said: “In the advanced world, their children are not hindered, their education has not been hindered. But in this part of Africa and Nigeria in particular, the educational system has been hindered. This shouldn’t have been because a child should have a right to education.”
He said any delay in a child’s learning process affects his or her progress.
Tijani highlighted the alarming number of out-of-school children in Nigeria and argued that homeschooling could bridge this gap.
“The bill gives parents the option to educate their children at home, either by hiring a local teacher or teaching them personally, using the Nigerian curriculum,” he said.
He added that this initiative would benefit vulnerable children, including those in remote areas and Almajiri children, by providing them with opportunities for formal education.
The lawmaker emphasized the potential economic advantages of homeschooling.
“Parents who choose homeschooling reduce the strain on government infrastructure and resources. It also minimizes costs associated with uniforms, transportation, and other school-related expenses,” he stated.
Additionally, Tijani argued that homeschooling could address security concerns, as children would not need to travel long distances to schools in unsafe areas.
He also touched on moral education, saying parents can better monitor their children’s moral development and shield them from negative influences often encountered in schools.
“I’m sorry to say that most of the time, recently, there are issues of immorality that happen in our primary schools and secondary schools. Therefore, we have to protect that. And parents do try as much as possible to give their children morals, to give them a very good attitude,” he said.
When asked about the challenges of implementing homeschooling, including the cost of technology and data for online learning, Tijani clarified that the bill incorporates both online and traditional homeschooling methods.
“Parents don’t necessarily need to connect to online platforms. They can follow the Nigerian curriculum with the help of local teachers or by teaching their children directly,” he explained.
Addressing concerns about a potential decline in educational standards, Tijani argued that homeschooling could enhance quality by allowing personalized, focused learning.
“Public schools often have overcrowded classrooms, making it hard for teachers to give individual attention. Homeschooling creates an environment where children can receive one-on-one guidance,” he said.
He said the bill proposes mechanisms to ensure adherence to the national curriculum and standards.
“Uniform national exams like WAEC, NECO, and Common Entrance will serve as checkpoints to measure compliance with the curriculum,” Tijani stated.
He acknowledged the current challenges in monitoring public schools but maintained that exams would ensure consistency.
Tijani emphasised that the bill would offer an alternative, not replace traditional schooling.
“It is optional. Parents who prefer conventional schools can continue, but those unable to afford it can now have a legal option to educate their children at home,” he explained.
Tijani appealed to Nigerians, particularly the media, to support the bill, describing it as a “policy for the common man.”
He expressed optimism that the bill would receive widespread backing in the legislature and among the public.
Kano Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has made the timely payment of pension liabilities to the state’s thousands of retirees, a top priority of his government.
This is as the chairman of Kano State Pension Fund Trustees, Habu Fagge put the figure of inherited pension backlog at N48.6 billion.
Governor Yusuf in the middle of the year commenced the payment of N6 billion gratuities and death benefits to 5,500 pensioners across the state.
The governor had expressed determination to fulfill his campaign promises and improve the welfare of both pensioners and workers in active service in the state.
He also vowed to ensure that no pension and salary deduction occur in the state under his watch, promising to put a system that would see to the continued payment of gratuities and entitlements monthly.
Governor Yusuf has also settled an additional N5 billion in gratuity backlogs for senior citizens, benefiting 4,000 retirees under the second phase of the settlement program.
The governor said the first phase settled over N6 billion for 2,000 pensioners, while the second phase will cover N5 billion for 4,000 retirees and death benefits.
Governor Yusuf said recently that a transparent system had been established to ensure a smooth payment process, with a committee set up to oversee effective service delivery.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and other dignitaries on Saturday attended the wedding Fatiha of Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso’s daughter, Dr. Aisha Kwankwaso, and her groom, Fahad Dahiru-Mangal.
Also in attendance were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, and Sen. Adamu Alero.
Others were: The Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; the Minister of Steel, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar; the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; and former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.
Also in attendance were the former Gov. Ahmed Makarfi of Kaduna, Mahamud Shinkafi, Zamfara, Isah Yuguda, Bauchi, Victor Attah Akwa Ibom and Lucky Igbinedion of Edo.
Other notable personalities were Sen. Abdul Ningi, Sen. Dino Maleye, and Sen. Rufai Hanga.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that scores of members of National and state assemblies, captains of industries, politicians, as well as the members of the diplomat corps attended the event.
The wedding Fatiha took place around 12:15 pm at at the Emir’s Palace, Kano.
The wedding proceedings were conducted by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zaharaddeen.
Shettima, who stood in for the groom, gave out the dowry of N1 million to Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano who represented the bride at the occasion.
The event, which was also attended by prominent Islamic scholars and other well wishers from across the country, witnessed a large turnout of residents.
NAN reports that during the wedding, security was very tight in and around the Kano metropolis.
The Chief Imam prayed for unity between Kwankwaso’s daughter and the husband a son of a prominent business magnate, Dahiru-Mangal.
The marriage ceremony highlighted the significance of cultural and traditional institutions of Kano State, with the Emir’s Palace being a symbol of the region’s rich history and heritage.
Kwankwaso, served as Governor of Kano State between 1999 and 2003 and another tenure from 2011 to 2015.
He was also a Minister of Defence and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Kwankwaso established the Kano University of Science and Technology and the North-West University.
(NAN)
Kano State Government on Tuesday approved N71, 000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Governor Abba Yusuf stated that the new minimum wage will be effective in November.
A statement by the spokesman of the Governor, Sunusi Bature, said Yusuf spoke while receiving the Public Service Negotiation Committee Report headed by the State Head of Civil Service at his office on Tuesday.
“I will like to emphasise that Kano state has one of the largest workforces in Nigeria, reflective of our population and specific local needs, together with our financial constraints, including the low Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) we inherited, we have decided to implement the new national minimum wage of N71,000.00,” the Governor said.
Yusuf noted that implementation of minimum wage will increase the state’s monthly salary obligations by over N6 billion, adding that additional N7 billion is needed for the 44 local government councils.
He emphasised that the approval followed a courageous decision by the administration, which according to him, exemplifies commitment to social justice, economic growth and enhanced living standards for the state workers and citizens.
He disclosed that his government inherited an average monthly IGR of only N2 billion, lamenting that “by comparison, states like Lagos generate an average of N54.3bn, Rivers N14.5 bn , Ogun N10.1bn and Delta N7.1 bn.
“This disparity highlights the urgent need for us to reform our domestic revenue generation strategies to meet our obligations to the people of Kano,” the governor emphasised.
He charged the beneficiaries “to enhance service delivery, continuously seek innovative solutions to improve public
services and streamline processes, foster collaboration, appealing to them to work seamlessly together to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Our administration is deeply committed to prioritizing the welfare of our civil servants, who tirelessly provide efficient, effective, and quality services to our people despite limited financial resources,” he noted.
The Governor lamented that following the 2023 elections, the previous administration undertook a large-scale hiring initiative whereby 13,000 individuals employed to the civil service without due diligence.
Despite that, Governor Yusuf said: “the present administration in recognizing the importance of essential human resources in serving our citizens, we formed a committee to review these hires and ultimately retained over 12,000 of them in the state civil service.”
Governor Yusuf urged civil servants to intensify their dedication to efficiency, productivity and effectiveness, stressing that “let’s harness our collective strength to drive transformative change to achieve this greatness in the service.”