Muhammad Garba

By Muhammad Aminu

Kano State Government has said that all students who passed its qualifying examination would write the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination organised by the National Examination Council (NECO).

Kano State Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, told journalists in Kano on Monday that the Kano State Government had settled part of its debt with the examination body.

Malam Garba further debunked what he called “erroneous reports” that the State owes NECO N15 billion naira.

He confirmed that 15, 313 students would sit for the examination as planned.

Mal Garba also hinted that the examination would not hold on Monday as it is only the Test Interpretation Practical for teachers to come up with modalities for the practical exams that would be held Monday.

He said the State Government also paid examination fees for over 1000 students with special needs in public schools to enable them to write this year’s examination.

He said: “We have settled for 15,313 Students with nine credits and the essay part of the exam is commencing on 4th July while the State still paid for 1,018,000 Disabled Students, which means that the story that Kano is holding N15 Billion Debts is untrue”.

According to the Commissioner, 7,500 female students’ registration fees had been also settled as part of a special intervention to promote girl-child education in Kano State.

He added that LGAs cumulatively also sponsored 5,400 students for the examination.

“15,313 students that had 9 credits from qualifying examination; 1,018 students living with disabilities, as well as 7,300 for Special Intervention which is basically for Girl Child Education; and local government councils paid for 5,400 students,” the Commissioner explained.

The Daily Reality reported earlier that Kano students may not write the examination due to debt settlement conflict between Kano State Government and the examination body.

The examination body demands settlement of N700m of the N1.5bn before the students will be allowed.

He said the state government had paid NECO N356m last week and would finalise their discussion any moment to resolve the impasses.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The Kano State Government has clarified the fake news on explosion. An explosion rocked Kano at the early hours of Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

It was earlier reported that it was a bomb blast on many social media platforms. However, the State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, has dismissed the erroneous claim.

On the other hand, the Kano State’s Police Commissioner, Sama’ila Shuaibu Dikko, said it was a gas explosion.

“It was a gas explosion. There was a welder around the area and his gas cylinder exploded just very close to a private school… we have recovered four casualties, including the welder and a female. No child was affected,” Dikko told journalists after the incident.

While cautioning people to desist from sharing unsubstantiated stories, the Commissioner added that further investigations were underway.

Being the only non-profit oriented media organisation focusing primarily on issues and problems bedevilling northern Nigeria, The Daily Reality is a dream comes true.

During a courtesy call by The Daily Reality newspaper members to the Kano State Commissioner of Information, Hon. Muhammad Garba, in his office on Wednesday, 13th July 2021, the commissioner expressed his happiness, adding that:

“The concept of The Daily Reality is very commendable. We really appreciate your effort. This shows that you know what is happening [in this country and beyond]. The only thing we can add is to pray to Almighty Allah to sustain your effort. Honestly speaking, every person who is abreast with what is happening in Nigeria knows about this gap you come to bridge. Media shouldn’t be seen as the sole affair of politicians. It is for all. You can invest in the media not just to make money but also to protect your people, your business, ideology or to champion a certain cause like this thing you are doing. Of course, the media business is challenging. It takes time before it yields the desired result. This is why our people (Northerners) prefer such businesses they will invest today and harvest [profit] tomorrow.”

Recalling the challenges he faced in convincing Northern politicians, business moguls and other influential personalities to invest in media, Hon. Garba narrated that:

“When I was the president of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), these were the issues I kept presenting to our leaders, but unfortunately, some of them thought that media investment is for Southerners alone. I visited many politicians, business people and elder statesmen, but they dumped me. Until today, our people don’t understand the power of media and the danger of living without media protection. Sadly, every month, many state governments and business tycoons in the North pay some media giants in the South huge money to support their programmes, businesses and give them favourable coverage. Yet, they criticise and condemn some of their actions. Though that is the duty of the press. Now, where is our New Nigerian? Who failed New Nigerian? Therefore, I urge you to expand your activities to other states. Be objective, fair, neutral and avoid politicising issues. The North needs your help. Our people need your help. We will give you the necessary support,” said Hon. Commissioner.