Kano

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The atmosphere in the School of Technology at Kano State Polytechnic was engulfed with anticipation as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUP) election unfolded. 

Lecturers from all six branches of the polytechnic gathered to participate in the democratic process that would determine the leadership of the union for the next two years. 

The electoral committee had meticulously planned and organised the election, adhering to the constitutional provisions and code of conduct of the union. 

According to a letter dated December 15, 2023, from Malam Sulaiman Abdurrahman, the election was a mandatory biennial event, ensuring a regular turnover of leadership within the union. 

As the clock struck 8:00 p.m., the election kicked off with the candidates for the chairmanship position taking centre stage. 

Dr. Badamasi Inuwa from the Department of Life Science, SOT; Engineer Shehu Saikay from the Department of Electrical Engineering, SOT; and Bashir Umar Faruq from SGS all vied for the coveted role. 

The voting process proceeded smoothly as lecturers patiently waited in line to cast their votes, exercising their right to choose their representatives. 

Malam Sulaiman Abdurrahman, the secretary of the electoral committee, ensured that the election was conducted transparently and in accordance with the established guidelines. 

The election, scheduled to conclude by 3:00 am, saw lecturers patiently waiting to cast their votes, demonstrating a commitment to the democratic principles upon which the union was founded.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Engausa, a prominent digital skills learning centre located in Unit E35/36 Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano, Nigeria, has announced the commencement of registrations for its upcoming ENGAUSA CATCH THEM YOUNG classes.

The classes, tailored for children, will be conducted during school holidays, providing a unique opportunity for young learners to enhance their digital skills in an engaging and educational environment. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to enrol their children, especially those who participated in the previous vacation classes.

This allows them to continue building on the knowledge and skills they acquired during their previous sessions. 

The digital skills learning centre emphasises the urgency of registration, urging interested parents to act promptly to secure a spot for their children in the upcoming classes.

With a commitment to fostering early exposure to digital literacy, Engausa aims to equip young minds with essential skills for the rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

Engausa’s initiative aligns with the broader goal of promoting technology education and creating a foundation for future innovators.

As the classes are anticipated to fill up quickly, prospective participants are advised to register promptly to ensure their inclusion in this valuable educational opportunity. 

For further details and registration, interested parties can contact Engausa through the following phone numbers: 07038224643, 0701 513 0683, or 0708 886 1618.

Alternatively, interested persons can visit the official website at EngausaHub.com or EngausaAcademy.com for comprehensive information on the programmes offered.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The people of the Agadasawa community in Kano State were in profound mourning after a fire broke out and destroyed a house, killing a woman and her four children. 

The tragic incident, which has sparked sympathy from thousands of people across the state, was said to have occurred at midnight on Wednesday while the deceased were asleep. 

The deceased, Zainab, and her four children, Amatullahi, Amaturrahman, Safiyya, and Muhammad, were family members of a Kano businessman, Ado Muhammad Uba. 

A relative, Jazuli Jibril Aminu, reported that the tragic incident occurred when electricity was restored and the woman forgot to turn off the refrigerator she had plugged in, which caused the gas cylinder to explode. 

According to Aminu, Zainab frantically tried to save her children from the fire, but her efforts were sadly in vain. 

“Upon realising the fire outbreak, the mother, in her attempt to rescue her four children, couldn’t see the way. 

“So, being a mother, she decided to put all the children beneath her so that the fire could burn only her. 

“Sadly, all the clothes she was wearing burned in her body, and the children also got burned,” Aminu disclosed. 

Attempts to save the victims were in vain 

Aminu, who described the incident as a terrible tragedy, said the victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital. 

However, one of the children sadly passed away on the way to the hospital.

Two days later, two more children followed, leaving only their mother and one child. 

While receiving treatment, Zainab, the mother, also passed away on Friday, and the last child died the following day. 

My cousin is in a state of complete family loss 

“This family belongs to my cousin, who, Allah the WISEST, tested with a complete family loss. The husband, Baba Ado, had gone to work in another state when he tragically lost his entire family. 

“Baba Ado is now left with neither family nor wealth, for everything in the house has burned to ashes. Ya Rabb, Ya Rahman, and Ya Razzaq, come to the rescue of Baba Ado. This is a very serious test. Please, brothers and sisters, pray for them and Baba Ado.” 

Pray for me and my family—husband 

Ado Muhammad, the husband, found it difficult to speak in detail about the incident when he was contacted by the Daily Reality. 

Muhammad rather pleaded with people to include him in their prayers so that he could cope with the loss and to also pray for his family members. 

He said, “I take this as a test of faith. So, I ask my fellow Muslims to pray for me so that I can cope with this loss and pray for my family.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the decision of the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. 

The tribunal had declared Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18th, 2023 election, deducting over 165,000 votes from Yusuf’s tally due to alleged lack of proper endorsements on the ballot papers. 

In a notice of appeal filed by his lawyer, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Yusuf argues that the tribunal made a significant error in its analysis of the evidence presented by the APC. 

According to the appeal, the analysis conducted by the APC’s own witness only identified 1,886 ballots without proper endorsements, a stark contrast to the 165,616 deducted by the tribunal. 

The appeal argues that the tribunal erroneously deducted over 165,000 votes from Yusuf’s tally due to a misunderstanding of the evidence presented. 

It claims that the analysis conducted by the APC’s witness identified only 1,886 ballots lacking proper endorsements, significantly less than the number deducted. 

The appeal further clarifies that even among the ballots flagged, many had partial endorsements like signatures or stamps, not justifying their complete removal. 

The appeal emphasizes that all the disputed ballots carried official markings like the INEC logo, coat of arms, and serial numbers, confirming their legitimacy. 

Governor Yusuf’s legal team is confident that the Supreme Court will recognize the errors in the tribunal’s decision and restore his rightful victory.

The outcome of this appeal will have significant implications for the political landscape of Kano state and could set a precedent for future election disputes. 

The Supreme Court is yet to schedule a hearing for the appeal.

Both parties will present their arguments to the justices, who will then issue a final ruling on the matter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

In what appears to be what the Hausa people describe as “nakasa ba kasawa ba ce” (roughly translated into English as “a disability doesn’t make one disabled”) Engausa Global Tech Hub, a leading institution dedicated to imparting digital skills mainly in Hausa, recently recognised the extraordinary achievements of Halima, a graduate described as a “person living with unique abilities.” 

This was made known in a Facebook post by the digital skills institution today.

During the Engausa Startup Friday programme held at the Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) conference centre, Halima’s brilliance stood out among her peers. 

The guest of honour, Mal. Kabiru Umar, the Technology Incubation Centre Manager, presented her with an award—a set of smartphone repair tool kits. 

Halima’s recognition was not just a testament to her academic accomplishments but also highlighted the inclusive and empowering initiatives fostered by the ENGAUSA Global Tech Hub. 

In an emotionally charged moment, Mal. Kabiru Umar praised Halima’s dedication and aptitude, noting the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive tech community. 

The award for the smartphone repair tool kit symbolises not only Halima’s academic prowess but also her potential to significantly contribute to the technology landscape. 

As the news of Halima’s recognition spreads, it serves as an inspiration for others, reaffirming the commitment of the ENGAUSA Global Tech Hub to empower individuals from all walks of life. 

Halima’s journey exemplifies the transformative impact of digital skills education and the possibilities that open up when technology is made accessible to everyone.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Kano state government has dispatched the fifth batch of 50 first-class graduates to pursue their Master’s Degree programmes in India. 

The beneficiaries, part of the 1,100 indigenous students sponsored by the state government for overseas studies, departed from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport for Lagos on a Max Air aircraft at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. 

The Commissioner for Higher Education, Dr. Yusuf Kofarmata, and other government officials were present to witness the departure.

From Lagos, the beneficiaries are scheduled to board an Air Peace flight to India at 2:00 p.m. Speaking after the takeoff, Dr. Kofarmata noted that this initiative is a continuation of the government’s commitment to the 1,100 postgraduate scholarship programme for the academic year 23-2024. 

The selected graduates, now on their way to reputed institutions like Sharda, Symbiosis, Mewar, Sri Sai, Swarnnim, and Kalinga, were chosen based on their outstanding performance during their undergraduate studies. 

Highlighting the significance of the programme, Dr. Kofarmata stressed that the students would focus on internationally competitive fields, contributing to bridging the manpower gap not only in Kano State but also across the nation. 

“A total of 550 students are the first batch who are going to eight reputable universities to study in internationally competitive areas of professionalism to bridge the manpower gap in the state and across the nation.  

“The students are also expected to acquire experience, skills, and knowledge with the view to revamp the state commercial status and explore other potential for socio-economic development,” he said. 

Providing an update on the progress of the previous batches, Dr. Kofarmata revealed that the students had already commenced their academic pursuits, and approximately 30 beneficiaries had secured casual employment with their respective institutions, a testament to their academic prowess. 

Acknowledging the support and commitment of Governor Yusuf, the Commissioner noted the celebration among beneficiaries, parents, well-wishers, and citizens of the state.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

The Aminu Magashi Garba (AMG) Foundation has pledged its support to 50 individuals in Kano State in a groundbreaking effort aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating repentant thugs into society. 

The announcement was made by the foundation’s founder, Aminu Magashi Garba, via a Facebook post on Tuesday, following the “Post Oct 17 Kano Youth Summit” held at Sani Abacha Stadium. 

Garba expressed the foundation’s commitment to fostering positive change in the community by providing opportunities for former troublemakers to redirect their lives.  

The initiative seeks to empower these individuals with the necessary skills and support to successfully reintegrate into society. 

During a courtesy visit to the AMG Foundation by the Kano Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Mr. Sholadoye Kazeem, on Monday, November 20, 2023, a new dimension to the foundation’s efforts was unveiled. 

The foundation has partnered with the Federal Fire Service to train 30 youths as “Fire Safety Ambassadors.”

These ambassadors will undergo rigorous training to handle fire safety and prevention measures effectively. 

Garba explained that the trained youths would be strategically placed in congested markets and business areas to mitigate the risk of fire outbreaks.

In return for their services, each ambassador will receive a monthly allowance of N15,000 for three months.  

The hope is that the Kano State government will consider retaining them as ad-hoc staff members after the initial training period. 

The visionary initiative also involves collaborative efforts with the Kano State Police Command and the Youth Society for Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS). 

According to him, the YOSPIS organisation has been actively engaged in rehabilitating over 200 repentant thugs, making it a valuable partner in the AMG Foundation’s mission. 

Garba expressed gratitude for the support from the Kano Controller of the Federal Fire Service and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in creating lasting impact.  

The AMG Foundation’s multifaceted approach to social intervention demonstrates its commitment to addressing various challenges faced by the youth in Kano State. 

The collaboration between the AMG Foundation, government agencies, and grassroots organisations serves as a model for holistic community development and crime prevention efforts.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kano State has emerged as a primary recipient of a groundbreaking European Union-funded initiative.

The programme, designed to enhance learning and empower youth, is set to make a substantial impact in Kano, Jigawa, and Sokoto states. 

The Ministry of Education’s Director of Public Enlightenment issued a statement on Tuesday, detailing a briefing by a delegation from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) led by Mr. Michael Banda.

The initiative aims to bolster education and skills development opportunities for both girls and boys in the selected states. 

Running for four years, from September 2023 to August 2027, the programme will be implemented across 10 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in each of the three states.

Its ambitious scope encompasses approximately 1.2 million learners, 5,000 teachers, 150 education officials, and 5,400 community members, focusing on various educational interventions. 

Mr. Banda outlined the programme’s three primary objectives as strengthening education governance and learning, expanding access to safe and inclusive learning environments, and delivering quality, continuous learning with enhanced competencies. 

Recognising the evolving digital landscape, Mr. Banda emphasised the importance of digital training for both teachers and learners.

He stressed the need for a systematic approach involving teachers, learners, and ministry officials to successfully integrate digital technology into the education sector. 

The programme also places emphasis on empowering education committees, such as the Schools Based Management Committee, to foster community partnerships and elevate the overall standard of education. Addressing potential challenges, Mr. Banda noted that data assessment might be a hurdle in Kano, citing historical inaccuracies in teacher recruitment.

To address this, he advocated for the establishment of a Teachers Management Information data system. Expressing gratitude, Commissioner Umar Doguwa thanked the EU for selecting Kano as a beneficiary state.

He also pledged the administration’s unwavering support to reach the targeted 1.2 million students and 5,000 teachers, highlighting the state government’s approval of funds for a comprehensive census of all teachers.

By Zailani Bappa

The satellite television, Arewa24, with headquarters in Kano, will continue to be a pain for northerners who cherish their heritage. It is a necessary evil and a bad influence on the teeming youth in a predominantly conservative society. But, it is established to achieve a purpose and do that efficiently and quickly.

I learned the medium was established by the US government through one of its established NGOs some nine years ago. Amidst the devastating experience of Boko Haram in this part of the country, several studies have indicated to the West that the passion for Islamic values in the North and the teeming followership of a springing set of radical Salafists in the region is the major cause of such developing activism….or should I say…terrorism.

Hence, the decision to spend the hard-earned tax-payers money of the American people to build an entertainment television station in the heart of conservative Kano (after rejecting Kaduna and Abuja as a base for the new medium). I am sure you know that when these guys give you a dime worth of something with the right hand, they are sure enough to take back something worth a dollar from you with the left hand.

So, the Arewa 24 came into light with a bang…..good hands employed mostly popular actors from the entertainment industry as pioneer staff, with good pay for them to work optimally and to stay, very enticing and entertaining programmes with fresh breath of air and of course, all programmes beamed to us with the best of technology one can find around here. Significantly, most programmes target women and the young.

Free of charge, we were entertained until the station became a menu that came to every table in the house. Then came the next stage of the plan (as I see it). It was sold out to a very rich and powerful Nigerian who has the capacity and the passion to run it according to both the quality of content and the pursuit of the target.

Gradually, the programmes started becoming more daring in their approach to change. There is mild and uncoordinated resistance here and there, but the medium has a strong advisory consultant. They evade or outrightly neutralise every challenge from angry quarters at times. And they will continue to do so.

I firmly believe that the Arewa 24 debut, acceptability, prowess, and popularity (often challenged with visionless resistance) are only the tip of the iceberg. This is an era of globalisation. It is a moving train we cannot stop. It will reach its destination, ultimately. Our resistance to it will continue to be a massage to its global ego.

So, for those who understand this phenomenon, just pray, stay calm and do your own thing according to your conscience. Teach your young ones to value your values the way you can, very hard and consistently; then, leave the rest to God. This fight is just too big for us……..for every one of us.

Zailani Bappa wrote from Bauchi State via zailanbappa@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Kano governorship saga continues as Abba takes battle to Supreme Court Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, ousted by the electoral tribunal and subsequently denied reprieve by the Court of Appeal, has pledged to contest the ruling at the Supreme Court.

The appeal court, situated in Abuja, upheld the tribunal’s decision, unseating Yusuf and confirming Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the legitimate winner of the March 18 election. 

Governor Yusuf, undeterred by the setback, conveyed his determination in a televised address on Friday night.

“Our lawyers will challenge the Appeal Court judgment at the Supreme Court. We trust that the Supreme Court will restore the mandate entrusted to us by the people of Kano,” he asserted, urging citizens to remain law-abiding amid the legal wrangling, with security measures in place to ensure public order. 

Conversely, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, hailed the court’s decision as a triumph for democracy.

Expressing gratitude to the judiciary for maintaining a fair administration of justice, Ganduje acknowledged the challenges faced during the case.

“This victory is for all of us. We know what happened during the election, and by the grace of God, we got a fair judgement in favour of our great party, APC,” he remarked. 

Ganduje, anticipating further legal manoeuvres, remarked, “There is nothing wrong for them to go to the Supreme Court. We too, we are ready to meet them in the Supreme Court. Insha Allah, we will win at the Supreme Court as well.”