Education

By Umar Idris Shuaibu The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), has distributed school uniforms and writing materials to pupils of Kamanda Ruga Settlement Nomadic Primary School in Dansoshiya, Kiru Local Government Area of Kano State. The Executive Director of CITAD, Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, described the intervention as timely, noting that nomadic schools particularly those serving Fulani communities have suffered prolonged neglect from policymakers and government authorities. He stressed the urgent need to prioritise education in such communities, pointing out that many children are being denied their fundamental right to access quality education. “It is imperative to address the neglect faced by nomadic schools, as many children within these communities deserve equal access to education,” he said. Read Also: Beyond the Headlines: The Untold Truth behind Nigeria’s Herders-Farmers Clashes Lere: A Historic Fulani Settlement and Cultural Crossroads in Kaduna Why Gobirawa’s Centuries-Old Agrarian Life is at Risk in Kano Earlier, a Fulani leader from the Nomadic Jowrows Association, Malam Idris Shuaibu, commended CITAD for the gesture, describing it as impactful and encouraging for pupils in the community. He noted that the support would boost school attendance and inspire children to pursue education, adding that they represent the future of the community. Malam Idris also called on government at all levels to give greater attention to education, emphasising its importance in harnessing human resources and driving national development. The Headmaster of Kamanda Nomadic Primary School, Nasiru Ibrahim Dangora, expressed appreciation to CITAD for the intervention, while drawing attention to the numerous challenges facing the school. He identified inadequate classrooms, a shortage of teachers for over 300 pupils, lack of toilet facilities, and the absence of basic learning aids such as educational toys needed to motivate the children. Also speaking, the Deputy Director of Nomadic Education at the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board, Ghali Sulaiman, commended CITAD for the initiative, describing it as a rare and impactful intervention. He noted that the school had not benefitted from similar support since its establishment, and praised the organisation for advancing inclusive education in hard-to-reach communities. Sulaiman further highlighted the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving access to education through the construction of nomadic schools across the state. He also urged parents to prioritise formal education for their children, stressing that modern nomadic livelihoods, including cattle rearing and trade, increasingly require basic education and knowledge to remain sustainable. The distribution exercise was supported by teachers of the school, local government officials, traditional authorities, including the Dagacin Dangora, Yusuf Harisu, who represented the District Head of Kiru, as well as other Fulani leaders within the community. The nomadic school was established in 2020 following the implementation of the Ruga settlement initiative by the Kano State Government, under a policy introduced during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The project, executed during the tenure of former Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, was designed to settle nomadic Fulani communities and reduce constant migration by providing basic social amenities, including 25 units of two-bedroom houses, a police outpost, a milk collection centre, and veterinary services, with plans for expansion to accommodate more herders. The initiative was also aimed at addressing recurring clashes between farmers and pastoralists, largely linked to the absence and encroachment of designated grazing reserves and cattle routes.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has relieved Engr. Buba Galadima of his position as Chairman of the Governing Council of Kano State Polytechnic. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House Kano, on Saturday. The governor subsequently approved the appointment of the Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, as the new Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution. Read Also: Tinubu Hails Argungu Festival, Promises Support For Agriculture Kano State Polytechnic Takes Step Toward University-Affiliated PGD Programmes FG Set to End HND–Degree Divide, Empowers Polytechnics to Award Degrees The decision to relieve Galadima, according to the statement, is part of ongoing restructuring efforts aimed at aligning the institution with the administration’s Kano First Agenda. Although the Governing Council’s tenure is officially three years, the chairman’s appointment was terminated before expiration to facilitate reforms targeted at optimal performance of the Polytechnic. Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to Galadima for his services to the institution during his tenure. He urged the newly appointed chairman to deploy his experience, leadership, and commitment in repositioning Kano State Polytechnic for greater academic and administrative excellence.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has disbursed scholarships to 4,183 students from Kano North Senatorial District studying at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, Kano State. The beneficiaries, made up of male and female students enrolled in Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Degree programmes, received financial support of N20,000 and N50,000 respectively. The scholarship disbursement exercise was conducted on Wednesday at the college’s theatre hall by a delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Muhammad Abdallah. A statement issued by the Special Adviser to Senator Barau on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, said the delegation was received by the Provost of the institution, Dr Kabiru Bichi, who was represented by the Deputy Provost, Dr Bashir Abubakar, alongside members of the management team. Speaking during the event, Prof. Abdallah said the intervention was part of Senator Barau’s sustained investment in education across Kano North Senatorial District and beyond. Read Also: FG Set to End HND–Degree Divide, Empowers Polytechnics to Award Degrees Barau Jibrin Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Quality Healthcare, Inspects Seven Projects at AKTH Emir Sanusi II Resumes Studies, Attends First Law Lecture in Kano According to him, the scholarship scheme covers both NCE and Degree students, with N20,000 allocated to NCE beneficiaries and N50,000 to Degree students. He noted that similar interventions have been extended to other tertiary institutions, including Bayero University Kano, Northwest University, and several Colleges of Education within the state. Prof. Abdallah further disclosed that Senator Barau has executed a number of projects at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi, such as the construction of academic blocks, provision of solar-powered streetlights, reading halls, and other critical infrastructure. In his remarks, the Deputy Provost, Dr Bashir Abubakar, described the scholarship intervention as life-changing, noting that the institution has consistently benefited from the scheme over the past three years. He said the increasing number of beneficiaries each year reflects the Deputy Senate President’s commitment to prioritising education, adding that Senator Barau is currently constructing an administrative block at the college’s permanent site and has installed solar streetlights at both the temporary and permanent campuses to enhance security. Dr Abubakar urged the students to utilise the funds judiciously, particularly for registration and academic needs, while conveying the appreciation of the institution’s management and students to Senator Barau. Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Women Affairs to the Deputy Senate President, Hajiya Yardada Bichi, revealed that about 60 per cent of the beneficiaries were women, stressing that educating a woman translates to educating an entire society. Some of the beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to Senator Barau for the timely support, describing the gesture as impactful and helpful to their academic pursuits.

The Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Tuesday returned to the classroom as he commenced his undergraduate studies at Northwest University, Kano. The monarch began his first day as a student of the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Common Law and Sharia programme in the university’s Faculty of Law. It would be recalled that the Emir secured admission into the LL.B Common Law and Sharia degree programme at Level 200, with effect from the 2024/2025 academic session. Read Also: Kano State Polytechnic Takes Step Toward University-Affiliated PGD Programmes Prof. Amina Bayero Appointed First Female VC of Northwest University Kano Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Appointed Chancellor of Northwest University, Kano Sanusi’s return to academic life has attracted widespread public attention, with many observers describing the development as a strong demonstration of his commitment to lifelong learning, intellectual growth, and scholarship, despite his royal responsibilities. The move has also been hailed as inspirational, particularly to young people, underscoring the value of education at all stages of life.