Kano

The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, alongside his wife, Professor Hafsat Umar Ganduje, has paid a condolence visit to Malam Salihu Sagir Takai, former governorship candidate of Kano State, over the death of his wife, Hajiya Zainab, who passed away recently in Egypt. Dr. Ganduje and his entourage also visited Hajiya Usaina, sister to Malam Salisu Bandirawo, at their family residence in Wuro-Bogga, along Ring Road, Kano, to commiserate with the family over their recent bereavement. Read Also: Inside Ganduje’s Political Blueprint That Keeps Strengthening APC Nationwide During the visits, Dr. Ganduje offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased, asking Almighty Allah to forgive their shortcomings and grant them eternal rest in Aljannah Firdausi. He was accompanied by the former Deputy Governorship candidate of the state, His Excellency Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, the APC Chairman of Kano State, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, Architect Aminu Dabo, the Kano APC Women Leader, Hajiya Fatima Dala, among several other notable personalities.    

The Kano State Police Command has decorated 29 senior officers with new ranks during a colourful ceremony held at the Command Headquarters in Kano. Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, who presided over the event, congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to uphold integrity, discipline, and selfless service in the discharge of their duties. Bakori reminded the officers that promotion in the Nigeria Police Force comes with increased responsibility and higher expectations, especially in maintaining public peace and tackling emerging security challenges. Read Also: Federal Fire Service Trains 100 Police Officers’ Wives on Fire Safety in Kano “The promotion you have earned today is not just a reward for your hard work, but a call to greater service. I urge you to demonstrate exceptional leadership, professionalism, and accountability as you carry out your duties,” he said. Among those promoted were two Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), 21 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), and six Superintendents of Police (SPs). The event was attended by senior officers, invited guests, members of the press, and family members of the honourees, who gathered to celebrate the officers’ achievements and new ranks. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony also featured goodwill messages and reflections on the importance of commitment and integrity in the policing profession.

Ex-NUJ President Warns Kano Govt Against Suppressing Journalists A former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Muhammad Garba, has called on the Kano State Government to adopt a more constructive approach in its dealings with the media, warning that journalists must be allowed to operate without fear or intimidation. Garba, who also served twice as Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration to take seriously the recent findings of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) report, which highlighted growing threats to press freedom in the state. In a statement issued on Sunday, the former NUJ president, now Special Adviser to the Minister of Information, expressed deep concern over what he described as “a disturbing pattern of repression, intimidation, and harassment of journalists in Kano.”   He said, “A government confident enough to engage the press constructively demonstrates both strength and accountability. Freedom of the press is measured not by plaques or ceremonies, but by the ability of journalists to report without fear of reprisal.” Garba lamented that Kano has in recent months drawn criticism from both local and international media rights organizations for its alleged clampdown on journalists. He noted that true democracy thrives only when the media operates freely and without interference from state institutions. “The media is not an enemy of government; it is a partner in nation-building. Respecting press freedom is not only a constitutional obligation but a mark of mature and responsive leadership,” he added. He accused the Kano State Government of sending mixed signals — claiming to uphold free speech while allegedly deploying state machinery to stifle dissent and control media narratives. According to him, incidents such as the police probe of Daily Nigerian publisher Jaafar Jaafar, following reports on alleged corruption involving a top government official, and the arrest of Ibrahim Ishaq Dan’uwa Rano of Dan’uwa Rano TV, point to a growing intolerance for scrutiny. Garba also cited the detention of Kano Times reporters Buhari Rano and Ismail Auwal, the arrest of Abdulaziz Aliyu of Waraka Online TV, and the August 2024 machete attack on a Channels Television crew during a protest in Kano as worrying examples of media hostility in the state. He condemned recent restrictions on live political programmes and warnings to journalists against asking what officials termed “provocative questions,” describing the measures as censorship that undermines democratic governance. Garba, who also serves as a steering committee member of the International Forum on Ethical Journalism, urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to “reverse this disturbing trend and embrace a media-friendly approach that guarantees journalists’ safety, strengthens public trust, and enhances government credibility.”

The Kano State Executive Council has approved a total of ₦19.02 billion for the execution of major projects across key sectors of the state economy, including education, health, water resources, infrastructure, and renewable energy. The approvals were granted during the 33rd Council meeting held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Council Chamber, Government House, Kano. The meeting was presided over by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable development. Education Sector Gets Over ₦4.9bn A total of ₦4,931,962,184.11 was approved for projects under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry for Higher Education. Key allocations include ₦1.49 billion for payment of debts owed to boarding school feeding suppliers, ₦2.54 billion for the renovation of Government Technical College, Ungogo (Phase II), and ₦308.9 million for the settlement of liabilities due to the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS). Related: Our Administration Must Not Disappoint Kano People, Governor Yusuf Tells Appointees Other approvals include ₦270.9 million for the completion and furnishing of the e-Library at the Kano State College of Education and Preliminary Studies, ₦400 million for office furniture at Northwest University, and ₦140.7 million for accreditation exercises at Kano State Polytechnic. Health Sector Allocates ₦274m for Hospital Upgrades To improve healthcare delivery, the Council approved ₦274,076,413.48, including ₦109.3 million for renovation works at Tiga General Hospital and ₦164.7 million for the renovation of Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital within the Emir’s Palace. Water Resources Gets ₦3.33bn for Supply and Energy Costs The Council approved ₦3,338,290,683.52 for projects under the Ministry of Water Resources. Allocations include ₦1.75 billion for settling debts on fuel supply for water treatment plants, ₦915 million for constructing a water treatment plant at Taliwaiwai in Rano Local Government, and ₦670.4 million for electricity bills owed to KEDCO. Over ₦9.8bn Earmarked for Roads, Flood Control, and Streetlights The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure received approvals totaling ₦9,854,326,460.92 for multiple road and renovation projects across the state. These include ₦2.63 billion for the construction of Dambatta–Gwarabjawa Road, ₦2.47 billion for installing intersection traffic lights on major roads, and ₦388.5 million for flood control works at Baban Gwari Roundabout along Katsina Road. Read Also: Waiya: Kano Govt Committed to Ethical Communication, Responsible Governance Other notable projects include solar-powered streetlights at Kwankwasiyya City (₦339.6 million), maintenance works on Karaye–Rogo Road (₦185.4 million), and the renovation of the Ministry of Works headquarters (₦393 million). Renewable Energy Sector Receives ₦979m Under the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, the Council approved ₦979,889,993.56, including ₦840 million for installing a 150KW solar backup system at Africa House, Government House, and ₦139.5 million for solar systems at the Council Affairs Directorate. Other Approvals and Policy Reforms The Office of the Deputy Governor received ₦149.3 million for 2026 Hajj operations, while the Office of the Secretary to the State Government got ₦126 million for three Toyota Hilux vehicles. Additionally, ₦586.5 million was approved for constructing weighbridges at Doguwa and other key entry points into Kano State. The Council also approved the construction of 50 low-cost housing units across 36 local government areas, the acquisition of majority shares in KEDCO, and the presentation of the Kano State Electricity Policy. Governor Yusuf Receives Multiple National and International Awards The meeting also noted eight national and international awards conferred on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his leadership and service, including the Gold Medal of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Zamka Award 2025, and the Distinguished Governor Award by SWAN. The Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, said the approvals reflect the administration’s focus on improving education, infrastructure, energy, and public welfare, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency and progress across Kano State.

As part of activities marking the 2025 Fire Safety Week, the Federal Fire Service, in collaboration with the Kano State Police Command, has trained 100 members of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) on basic fire safety and firefighting skills. The training, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Police Officers’ Mess, Bompai, Kano, was led by the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Engr. Kazeem Oyefola Sholadoye, alongside senior fire officers from the Kano Command. According to the organizers, the exercise was timely, coming on the heels of several recorded fire incidents in the last 24 months across Kano State. Related: Brigadier General, 15 Others Held Over Alleged Coup Plan — Military Sources Kogi Police Command Welcomes New Commissioner Naziru Bello Kankarofi  Kano Police Arrest Two Armed Robbers, Recover Vehicle Stolen From Air Force Officer in Abuja Speaking during the opening session, the Chairperson of POWA, Hajia Hadiza Ibrahim Bakori, described the initiative as both educational and empowering. She emphasized that women play a crucial role in promoting safety at home and within their communities. “As wives, mothers, and homemakers, we play a fundamental role in the safety of our families and the environment we live in. Having the knowledge of how to prevent fires, react during emergencies, and use firefighting equipment is crucial in safeguarding lives and property. This training is not just a session — it is an empowerment. What we learn here today, we will take home to educate our families and communities,” she said. The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, commended the collaboration between the Federal Fire Service and the Police Command, describing it as a proactive step toward building safer communities. “I am honoured to be part of this initiative organized by the Federal Fire Service in conjunction with the Kano State Police Command. This training offers our police officers’ wives valuable, life-saving skills. I commend the leadership of POWA for their commitment to the welfare and well-being of police families,” he stated. CP Bakori lauded the Kano Fire Service Controller, Engr. Sholadoye, for his innovative approach to fire prevention and safety, noting that the Command would continue to support similar partnerships that enhance community safety and emergency preparedness. He also urged participants to make good use of the knowledge gained and share it within their neighborhoods to promote awareness and responsiveness to fire emergencies. The event forms part of the Fire Safety Week celebration aimed at deepening public understanding of fire prevention measures and equipping residents with the skills to respond effectively to emergencies.