Kano

Fifteen young Nigerians have successfully completed a youth leadership training programme organised by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano. The graduation ceremony, held at CITAD’s office, marked the conclusion of the first batch of the Youth Leadership Development Programme (YouLead), designed to equip young people with entrepreneurial and leadership skills to combat growing youth unemployment. Speaking at the event, CITAD’s Executive Director, Engr. Y.Z. Yau, explained that the programme was developed in response to the high rate of youth joblessness. Read Also: NBTE Team Assesses Eleven Programmes at Audu Bako College of Agriculture “We are here to witness the graduation of the first batch of the YouLead programme, where 15 young participants received intensive training and incubation support to develop their business ideas—whether in the private sector or in social enterprise,” he said. Engr. Yau noted that the trainees also participated in internship placements with various organisations to gain practical experience and understand workplace dynamics. “For us, the gain is that this idea is working. When we began, they came daily for lectures as if they were in a classroom. We recognized their unemployment status and offered transport support to encourage participation,” he said. He reiterated that CITAD’s support does not end with graduation. “We will continue to monitor their progress, provide guidance, further training, and link them with opportunities such as business grants.” Some of the graduates shared testimonies of how the programme transformed their lives by helping them acquire skills and start earning independently. Habiba Usman Hassan, one of the graduates, now runs a small restaurant offering traditional dishes. “Before this programme, I didn’t even think of starting something on my own,” she said. “Now, I not only cook and sell, but I also feel proud when people call me ‘chef’ in the neighbourhood.” Another participant, Auwal Ibrahim Adamu, has launched a small bakery and is already gaining recognition in his community. “It started with just a little flour,” he said. “Now, people wake up early to wait for my bread. This training changed my life.” The YouLead programme aims to empower youth with practical knowledge, entrepreneurship guidance, and leadership exposure to build a more self-reliant and productive generation.

The Kano State Government has unveiled a foreign Master’s training programme for qualified doctors and nurses in key medical specialties where local expertise remains limited. The initiative, aimed at enhancing clinical capacity and improving healthcare outcomes across the state, was announced in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda. According to the statement, the government will sponsor training in 19 specialized fields, including dermatology, nephrology, intensive care medicine, dialysis care and technology, kidney transplant surgery, and pediatric surgery. Read Also: Kano Government Upgrades Dabai Community Hospital, Extends Operations to 24 Hours Other areas covered include psychiatry, ENT (ear, nose, and throat), interventional cardiology, interventional orthopedics, interventional radiology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, cancer care nursing, oncology, ophthalmology, prosthetics, ophthalmic nursing, dialysis nursing, and dialysis biomedical engineering. “This is a significant opportunity for our medical workforce to acquire advanced knowledge and clinical skills that will directly translate to improved patient care across Kano,” Dr. Nagoda stated. “We are specifically targeting areas of medicine that are critically underserved in our health system.” To be eligible, applicants must be doctors or nurses with at least a Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) in a relevant field. Interested candidates are required to submit a formal application addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Hospitals Management Board, along with relevant academic credentials and supporting documents. “Only eligible applicants will be shortlisted for interviews. This is a strictly merit-based programme designed to uplift the standards of healthcare delivery in Kano State,” Dr. Nagoda reiterated. The deadline for application submission is Monday, 28th July 2025.

In a bold step to tackle the rising menace of phone snatching, drug abuse, political thuggery, and other criminal activities across Kano State, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has reiterated the commitment of the Kano State Government to building strong partnerships with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as critical allies in restoring security and social order. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Director Special Duties, Sani Abba Yola, on behalf of the Ministry. The Commissioner spoke during a one-day Stakeholders’ Engagement with CSOs held at the Mambayya House, noting that the meeting came at a time when Kano is grappling with increased reports of violent crimes, especially phone snatching and street thuggery perpetrated by youth under the influence of drugs and frustration. “These acts are gradually eroding public confidence, discouraging mobility, affecting school attendance, and ultimately threatening the socioeconomic future of our state,” the statement added. “We are not here to point accusing fingers, but to collectively chart a proactive and community-driven way forward.” Read Also: Waiya Urges LG Information Officers to Uphold Professionalism in Public Service Waiya disclosed that the government has designed a strategic initiative known as the “Safe Corridor,” aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity and youth restiveness in the state. “The government believes that lasting solutions can only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and collaboration. That is why we have convened this important engagement with civil society actors who remain closest to the grassroots and understand the real pulse of our communities,” the Commissioner said. During the interactive session, participants drawn from over 75 Civil Society Organizations identified key root causes behind the growing wave of insecurity. These include family instability, declining parental responsibility, widespread lack of youth empowerment, and the scourge of drug addiction. They also cited religious and cultural decline, weakened community vigilance structures, and gaps in law enforcement as critical challenges requiring urgent, holistic action. As part of the way forward, participants recommended a range of people-centered interventions. These include parental and family reorientation, revitalization of rehabilitation centers for victims of substance abuse, and the creation of toll-free hotlines for anonymous reporting of criminal hideouts. Other proposals centered on intelligence-led security operations, public sensitization through drama, community media, and influencers, as well as stronger collaboration with religious institutions to reinforce moral and ethical values.