Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has announced the reconstruction of 17 dilapidated roads in the Kano metropolitan area as part of his urban renewal agenda for the city to meet a mega city status.

The governor said the effort is to make Kano state “one of the finest mega cities in Nigeria.”

This is contained in a statement released by the Spokesperson to the governor Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa and distributed to journalists on Saturday.

The statement in part read that, “The Governor flagged off the reconstruction of Club Road as part of 17 Urban Renewal Projects in Kano Metropolis held at Nassarawa Local Government Area on Saturday”.

“I feel highly delighted, I feel happy and I feel fulfilled, as your governor who made a promise during our NNPP electioneering campaign, especially in the metropolis, we made a promise when elected, by the Grace of Almighty Allah we are going to make Kano in terms of infrastructural development as one of the best cities in Nigeria,” Yusuf was quoted as saying.

“Today, we are flagging one of the gigantic projects for the rehabilitation of dilapidated metropolitan roads which were deliberated and approved by the State Executive Council,” the governor hinted.

Yusuf noted to the people of the state that any project under his administration would meet global standards before being handed over.

He expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being executed by the contractor and appealed to him to maintain the standard.

The governor said contractors should expect his unplanned visits to the site anytime to ensure accountability.

On the other hand, the Commissioner of Works and Infrastructural Development Marwan Ahmad said the Urban Renewal Programme for Kano Metropolis was initiated by Governor Abba Kabir and approved by cabinet members.

He said this particular project begins from Club Road to Ashton Road to Airport Road to Murtala Mohammed Road respectively.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has lost his Special Adviser on Intercommunity Relations, Alhaji Abdussalam Abiola Abdullateef, who passed away after a brief illness.

Family sources confirmed to journalists that Abdussalam died on Saturday and was laid to rest in the evening at Hajji Camp burial ground.

Originally from Osun State, the late Abdussalam was a graduate of accountancy from Bayero University Kano and had recently retired from the National Orthopedic Hospital Dala in Kano.

He previously served as a special adviser from 2011 to 2015 under the administration of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has suspended the Acting Head of Service and Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Salisu Mustapha, with immediate effect over alleged salary deductions and non-payment of some civil servants’ salaries.

A statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed that Mustapha has also been directed to step aside from his position as Permanent Secretary, Establishment, under the Office of the Head of Service, to allow for a thorough investigation.

To ensure smooth administration, the governor approved the appointment of Malam Umar Muhammad Jalo, the Permanent Secretary of REPA, as the new Acting Head of Service pending the outcome of the probe.

Governor Yusuf reiterated his zero-tolerance stance on financial malpractice, warning that anyone found culpable will face severe consequences.

Earlier on Thursday, the governor had issued a stern warning over the widespread complaints of salary underpayment and non-payment affecting state civil servants since October 2024.

In response, he inaugurated a seven-man committee led by Abdulkadir Abdussalam to investigate the issue.

The committee has been given seven days to uncover the root of the irregularities and submit its findings.

Mustapha was appointed Acting Head of Service earlier this month following the medical leave of the substantive Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, who is currently receiving treatment in India.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has approved the payment of nine months’ salary arrears to 2,369 sanitation workers across the state.

The payment, covering June 2024 to February 2025, was sanctioned by the Kano State Executive Council under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, announced the development on Tuesday, describing it as a crucial step toward enhancing environmental sustainability in the state.

He commended the government’s dedication to improving hygiene and the well-being of its citizens, adding that the timely disbursement would serve as motivation for the workers.

“This action reflects the unwavering commitment of His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to ensuring a cleaner and healthier Kano. Our sanitation workers have shown commendable patience and dedication despite the delay,” Dr. Hashim stated.

He further expressed appreciation to the State Executive Council for facilitating the payment and assured that other sanitation personnel, including House-to-House Inspectors and members of the Sanitation Vanguard, would soon be considered for similar benefits.

By Uzair Adam

With over 837,000 out-of-school children in Kano, the state government has intensified efforts to address the crisis, beginning with a comprehensive assessment tour of rural communities ahead of a planned sensitization campaign.

The Kano State Ministry of Education embarked on the tour to identify the root causes of the problem and engage with communities to find lasting solutions.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve access to education, especially in underserved areas.

Led by the State Coordinator for Girl Child Education, Hajiya Amina Kassim, the assessment team visited several rural settlements, including Bange village in Albasu Local Government Area and Mawashi in Garko Local Government Area.

During the visit, the team engaged with parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to understand the challenges keeping children out of school.

Speaking to residents, Hajiya Kassim emphasized that poverty, insecurity, and socio-cultural norms are key factors contributing to the alarming number of out-of-school children.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling these challenges, citing the recent declaration of a state of emergency on education as proof of its dedication to reforms.

“The state government is taking bold steps to improve education outcomes, and this tour is a crucial part of that process.

“We will ensure that our sensitization campaign reaches areas most affected by this issue,” she stated.

Vice Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee, Alhaji Garba Adamu Wudil, described the assessment tour as a critical step in designing effective strategies to curb the crisis.

He stressed that direct engagement with communities would provide valuable insights into the complexities surrounding access to education.

In their remarks, the village head of Kafin Malamai in Garko, Mukhtar Aliyu, and the representative of the village head of Bange, Yau Ibrahim Bange, commended the government’s initiative.

They appealed for the establishment of more secondary schools in their communities to accommodate the growing number of students completing junior secondary education.

The government’s assessment tour sets the stage for a more focused and community-driven approach to tackling the out-of-school children crisis in Kano State.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has sworn in the chairpersons, commissioners, and members of the Sharia and Zakkat and Hubusi Commissions.

In a statement on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi DawakinTofa, said the inauguration took place on Monday, with Yusuf emphasizing Kano’s significance in the Islamic world due to its many scholars, Islamiyya schools, and Islamic study centers.

The governor said the appointees were chosen based on merit, competence, and trustworthiness, expressing confidence in their ability to serve with dedication and integrity.

He tasked the Sharia Commission with fostering unity among Muslim sects to promote peace, stability, and economic growth in the state.

Similarly, he directed the Zakkat and Hubusi Commissions to develop effective strategies for collecting alms from the wealthy to support the less privileged and combat poverty.

Sheikh Abbas Abubakar Daneji was appointed chairman of the Sharia Commission, with Malam Yahaya Gwani Hadi and Sheikh Ali Dan Abba serving as permanent commissioners.

Other members include Malam Abubakar Mai Ashafa, Malam Naziru Saminu Dorayi, and several Islamic scholars. Sheikh Dr. Sani Ashir was named secretary.

For the Zakkat and Hubusi Commission, Barrister Habibu Dan Almajiri was appointed chairman, with Sheikh Nafi’u Umar Harazami and Dr. Ali Quraish serving as permanent commissioners.

Other members include religious leaders, academics, and a representative from the Kano State Civil Service Commission.

Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated officials would enhance Islamic governance and social welfare in Kano.

By Anwar Usman

Four people have reportedly been killed in Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State, following a violent clash with security operatives over the demolition of properties.

Security operatives reportedly killed the victims after residents protested against the destruction of their buildings.

Reports have it that the demolished buildings—primarily residential buildings under construction estimated at 40—had been previously marked by the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) as illegal.

The land in question reportedly belongs to Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

A resident affected by the demolition, who spoke to journalists and asked to remain anonymous, said that KNUPDA had cleared the properties earlier.

“We resolved all issues with KNUPDA. They affirmed to us that our properties were not within BUK land. But on Sunday night, officials of KNUPDA and security operatives arrived and started demolishing the buildings.

“When people insisted, security operatives opened fire, killing four individuals who have now been buried. It’s a tragic situation,” the source said.

Daily Trust reports that efforts to get an official response from KNUPDA were unsuccessful, as the agency’s managing director was unreachable.

A senior director at KNUPDA, the only high-ranking official available, reiterated that KNUPDA did not carry out the demolition but rather by a task force from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning.

An official from the ministry, also speaking anonymously, confirmed that the land belongs to BUK and assured that the government would soon issue an official statement.

By Uzair Adam

A civil society organization, War Against Injustice (WAI), has urged the Kano State government to prioritize essential sectors such as education, healthcare, and job creation instead of allocating N2.5 billion for quarterly mass weddings in 2025.

In a statement on Monday, WAI’s Executive Director, Comr. Umar Ibrahim Umar, expressed concern over the government’s decision, describing it as a misplacement of priorities at a time when the state is struggling with unemployment, poor infrastructure, and rising social challenges.

The group emphasized the need for strategic investments in job creation to curb youth unemployment, which has contributed to the rise in street crimes such as phone snatching and violent clashes.

It suggested that supporting small-scale industries in areas like Bompai, Challawa, and Sharada would stimulate economic growth and provide sustainable job opportunities.

WAI also highlighted the state of education in Kano, citing a report by UNICEF that only 9.6% of primary school pupils have reading proficiency, while 11.2% possess basic numeracy skills.

Despite the government’s renovation efforts, many schools remain in poor condition, requiring urgent intervention.

Similarly, the organization pointed to the challenges facing the healthcare sector, where many primary health care centers lack adequate facilities, equipment, and personnel.

It called for immediate action to improve medical services across the state. The statement stressed that channeling funds into productive sectors such as agriculture could help lift citizens out of poverty, addressing the root causes of social instability and marital challenges.

“We urge the Kano State government to reconsider the allocation of N2.5 billion for mass weddings and instead focus on investments that will directly improve the lives of its people,” the statement read.

WAI further called on the government to promote good governance by making decisions that align with the pressing needs of the people, emphasizing that economic stability would enable citizens to build strong families and communities.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State government has rejoined the National Housing Fund (NHF) Contribution scheme after a 25-year absence, following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

The agreement, signed by the state’s Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, on behalf of the government and FMBN’s Managing Director, Shehu Usman Osidi, marks a renewed commitment to improving housing access for civil servants.

During the signing ceremony, Osidi assured the Kano government of FMBN’s dedication to ensuring that state workers benefit from the scheme.

He disclosed that the bank has financed ten housing projects in Kano, investing over N6.8 billion, with most of the projects completed and delivered.

“This development is a milestone in our collective efforts to provide sustainable and affordable homeownership opportunities for Nigerian workers, particularly in Kano State,” Osidi stated.

He described the state’s return to the scheme as historic, noting that thousands of civil servants had been unable to access housing loans since the state’s withdrawal in 2000.

Under the renewed agreement, Kano’s civil servants will now have access to various housing finance options, including mortgage loans at single-digit interest rates, individual construction loans, home renovation loans, cooperative housing development loans, and rent-to-own schemes.

There are also non-interest mortgage products designed to meet ethical financing standards. The Head of Service, Abdullahi Musa, expressed regret over the previous withdrawal from the scheme, stating that it had deprived workers of crucial financial opportunities.

“This initiative aligns with our unwavering commitment to enhancing the welfare and well-being of our dedicated civil servants,” he said.

FMBN assured that ongoing reforms within the bank have improved efficiency, transparency, and digitalized processes, which will ensure that contributors can access funds more easily and that refunds to retirees are processed promptly.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State government has allocated N2.5 billion for conducting quarterly mass weddings across the 44 local government areas of the state in 2025.

The Commissioner for Planning and Budget, Musa Shanono, disclosed this while presenting a breakdown of the state’s 2025 budget, recently passed into law by the State House of Assembly.

Shanono stated that the initiative aims to promote social welfare, uphold human rights, and improve the living standards of residents.

He noted that the government has earmarked N91.32 billion for governance and service delivery programs, including the mass wedding initiative.

In 2023, the state conducted a mass wedding for 1,800 couples, including widows, divorcees, and spinsters, at a cost of over N800 million.

Beyond the mass weddings, the commissioner outlined other allocations in the budget, including N1 billion for Ramadan feeding, N955 million for a manpower statistics survey, general household survey, and out-of-school children statistics, and N1.049 billion for purchasing a printing machine, rehabilitating the general water system, and procuring library equipment for the Government Printing Press.

Additionally, N267.6 million has been budgeted for infrastructure provision, printing an Islamic calendar, and supporting Islamic Da’wah programs and new converts.

Another N589 million has been set aside for security research, empowerment initiatives, and special interventions for street beggars.

The budget also includes N200 million for procuring office furniture, maintaining the Accountant-General’s office, and developing public financial management software and reform activities.

Shanono further stated that the total size of the approved 2025 budget stands at N719.76 billion, marking a 31% increase from the N549.16 billion initially proposed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The budget includes N262.67 billion for recurrent expenditure and N457.08 billion for capital projects, representing a 65% increase compared to 2024.