Kano

Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists Information Chapel, alongside directors and staff of the Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs, on Thursday celebrated the retirement of Acting Permanent Secretary, Usman Bello, as he attained the age of 60 after over three decades in public service. The send-forth ceremony, held at the ministry’s conference hall within the Audu Bako Secretariat in Kano, attracted colleagues, associates, and well-wishers who paid glowing tributes to the retiree’s contributions to the civil service. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the NUJ Information Chapel, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, described Bello as an exemplary civil servant whose leadership was defined by humility, courage, and dedication. He highlighted his contributions to both the ministry and the NUJ, particularly his commitment to mentorship and professional excellence. Yakasai, who once served as a Deputy Director under Bello, further commended him as a fair and compassionate leader who nurtured subordinates with integrity and a strong sense of responsibility, offering prayers for divine rewards for his years of service. Read Also: Kano: Ex-Commissioners Back Garo for Deputy Governor, Endorse Appointment Representing the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, congratulated Bello on attaining 60 years and completing 33 years in service, describing the milestone as a reflection of resilience, wisdom, and dedication. He noted that staff training and capacity building remained a priority of the ministry, adding that many of the initiatives were driven by Bello during his tenure as Acting Permanent Secretary. He also disclosed plans to include him in a proposed training committee for information managers, ensuring the ministry continues to benefit from his experience. “The ministry will not forget his contributions to the growth of the information sector and the development of Kano State,” Waiya said. In his response, Bello expressed appreciation for the recognition, describing his 33-year career and attainment of 60 years as fulfilling. He thanked the NUJ Information Chapel, ministry leadership, and staff for organising the event. He also commended the Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, for what he described as efforts to resuscitate the Ministry of Internal Affairs and restore its core mandates. Goodwill messages were delivered by colleagues and associates, including Sunusi Abdullahi Kofar Naisa, Maikudi Muhammad Marafa, and Bahijjah Kabara, among others, who acknowledged Bello’s professionalism and impact. The event climaxed with the presentation of an award of honour to Usman Bello by the NUJ Information Chapel in recognition of his outstanding service.

The Kano Patriotic Front has reaffirmed its commitment to the overall development of Kano State, with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability through an aggressive tree-planting campaign. The Chairman of the group, Ibrahim Sani (retd.), made this known during a media briefing in Kano, where he outlined key activities and interventions of the association. Major General Sani disclosed that the organisation has embarked on sustained tree-planting initiatives aimed at addressing climate change, reducing harsh weather conditions, and improving the overall well-being of residents. He revealed that the group has already established nursery plantations in Gabasawa and near Federal Government College, Unguwa Uku, with plans to plant 500,000 trees across the 44 local government areas of the state, as part of a broader target of 25 million trees. He noted that most of the trees being distributed are economic trees, provided free of charge to communities, while some are planted directly under the supervision of the association to ensure proper growth and sustainability. Read Also: Kano Patriotic Front Marks Anniversary, Reaffirms Development Agenda Kano Declares Second Term Holiday for Schools Kano CoP Trained on Immunisation Advocacy, Seeks Funding to Tackle Zero-Dose Children Beyond environmental efforts, the chairman highlighted other key developments, including the presentation of a draft report on the Golden Memorial Symposium held in honour of late Head of State, Murtala Ramat Mohammed. According to him, the symposium brought together political leaders, military veterans, academics, and family members to reflect on the enduring legacy of discipline, patriotism, and purposeful leadership associated with the late leader. He said the essence of hosting the symposium was to awaken the younger generation to the exemplary track record of the late leader, which distinguished him as a unique figure in the history of Nigeria and Africa, and to encourage them to emulate his values and put such virtues into practice. He further disclosed that the group has supported education by equipping a Government Secondary School in Gwale with laboratory equipment aimed at enhancing science learning and improving educational standards. In the area of innovation and youth development, Major General Sani expressed the group’s readiness to continue supporting a young technology expert, Khalifa Aminu, who developed a payment solution software in Kano. He said the association has played a mentoring role in nurturing the innovator’s skills, leading to the development of additional technological solutions, including sensor-based smart glasses. The retired military officer emphasised that the Kano Patriotic Front remains committed to initiatives that promote security, education, healthcare, and digital transformation, noting that its interventions are designed to restore Kano’s status as a leading economic and cultural hub in sub-Saharan Africa. He reiterated that environmental sustainability, particularly tree planting, will remain a central pillar of the association’s activities, describing it as critical to the future of Kano and the well-being of its people.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved 75 percent of the demands put forward by the state’s lawyers’ association following their recent industrial action. The decision is part of the government’s broader efforts to address challenges within the judiciary sector and improve the welfare and working conditions of government-employed legal practitioners. As part of the measures, the governor also directed the immediate payment of two months’ outstanding salaries owed to newly recruited lawyers who are yet to receive their entitlements. The directive was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, in a statement made available to ‘The Historica Nigeria‘. Read Also: CITAD Distributes School Materials to Nomadic Pupils in Kano, Urges Increased Govt Intervention Kano Declares Second Term Holiday for Schools Kano CoP Trained on Immunisation Advocacy, Seeks Funding to Tackle Zero-Dose Children The lawyers’ association welcomed the development, describing it as a clear indication of the administration’s responsiveness and commitment to addressing their concerns. The resolution is expected to bring the industrial action to an end and pave the way for the full resumption of legal and judicial activities across the state.