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Kano, News

Kano Shines in Governance Ranking, Takes 2nd Place in Transparency Index

Kano State has earned national commendation for its commitment to transparency and accountability following the release of the 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) by the Center for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity (CeFTPI) with support from the MacArthur Foundation. The report, which assessed all 36 states on fiscal openness, anti-corruption control, and citizen participation, ranked Kano 2nd State among Nigeria’s top performers, recognizing its steady progress in governance reform and ethical administration. Analysts say the recognition reflects Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s integrity-driven leadership, which has prioritized openness, institutional discipline, and digital accountability since his assumption of office. Read Also: Stakeholders Meet in Kano to Address Health Workers’ Attitude Towards Immunization According to Ibrahim Adam, Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor on Information, the recognition is a testament to the administration’s deliberate effort to make transparency the foundation of public service and restore citizens’ trust in governance. Integrity at the Heart of Governance Governor Yusuf’s administration has made transparency a governing principle, ensuring that public institutions operate with openness and responsibility. Agencies such as the Due Process Bureau, Office of the Accountant General, and the Kano State Information Technology Development Agency (KASITDA) have been strengthened to digitize financial records, eliminate leakages, and make data publicly accessible. These reforms have restored public confidence and established what observers describe as a new moral order in Kano’s governance.   Transparency as a Driver of Development Governor Yusuf believes credibility attracts investment and trust builds stability. His administration links transparency directly to development, ensuring ministries and agencies work with clear standards and digital accountability. While some states recorded declines in the 2025 index, Kano’s steady rise demonstrates policy consistency and leadership discipline.   A New Standard for Public Service Under Governor Yusuf, Kano is building systems designed to outlive politics anchored on data, ethics, and openness. The culture of secrecy is being replaced by transparency, earning the state the respect of civil society, investors, and development partners. The 2025 Transparency and Integrity Index, therefore, is more than a rating; it reflects Kano’s transformation into a model of honest and accountable governance where transparency is not a slogan, but the foundation of sustainable development.

National, News

Tinubu Removes Maryam Sanda From Presidential Pardon List

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the removal of Maryam Sanda — who was sentenced to death in 2020 for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello — from the presidential pardon list. This was contained in a statement released on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to the statement, President Tinubu directed that all individuals convicted of serious crimes such as kidnapping, drug trafficking, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal possession or trafficking of firearms be excluded from the list. Read Also: Niger Delta Leaders Push Jonathan to Support Tinubu The statement further revealed that those who were earlier granted pardon under the old list will now have their sentences reviewed and reduced instead of being completely freed. The move, according to the presidency, is aimed at ensuring that the pardon process upholds justice, integrity, and public trust in the criminal justice system.

Health, Humanitarian, Kano, News

Stakeholders Meet in Kano to Address Health Workers’ Attitude Towards Immunization

Stakeholders in the health sector have met in Kano to address negative attitudes among some health workers that discourage caregivers from bringing children for routine immunisation. The meeting, held under the Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunization for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunized Children (BOOST) project, brought together professional health associations, Muslim and Christian women’s groups, government officials and development partners to find practical solutions for improving service delivery and rebuilding community trust. The BOOST project, implemented by Save the Children International with funding from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), aims to demonstrate effective and scalable techniques to reduce zero-dose and missed vaccinations among children. The project began full implementation in January 2024 and will run until December 2027. In Kano, BOOST covers Gezawa and Ungogo local government areas. Related: VaxSocial Launches Digital Immunization Campaign in Kano The Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, said the programme will continue to correct system anomalies by applying inputs gathered from health professionals, which will add sustained value to the state’s health outcomes. “We will keep using feedback from frontline workers and professional bodies to improve service quality and coverage,” he said. Co-Chair of the Kano BOOST Project, Malam Salisu Yusuf, said the initiative has recorded significant gains in immunisation coverage, with only three local government areas still facing notable challenges. Yusuf urged government and partners to sustain momentum and establish mechanisms that will preserve project gains after external partners exit. Malam Abdullahi Magama, BOOST Project Manager and Field Manager for Save the Children in Kano, explained that the meeting focused on attitudinal and behavioural change among health staff. “Despite progress, some caregivers remain reluctant to use services because of perceived negligence and poor interpersonal treatment by a few health workers,” he said, noting that trainings and workshops organised by the project have already improved staff performance. Read Also: Only 35.5% of Nigerian Newborns Breastfed in First Hour – UNICEF The gathering included associations of health professionals as well as Muslim and Christian women’s organisations to ensure community perspectives were fully captured. Participants discussed strategies for training, monitoring, and incentivising respectful client-care behaviour. The Speaker of the Kano Children’s Parliament, Hauwa’u Muhammad Ibrahim, called for increased capacity building and better working conditions for health workers, arguing these are essential to address persistent service delivery gaps. She added that the Children’s Parliament will continue community advocacy to encourage uptake of immunisation and other essential health services. Project officials urged the Kano State Government to institutionalise coordination mechanisms that will allow stakeholders to replicate successful interventions and sustain improved immunisation coverage across the state.

Abuja, National, News

Tinubu Forwards List of New Service Chiefs to Senate for Screening

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the Senate, seeking the screening and confirmation of the newly appointed Service Chiefs. The request was contained in a formal letter read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. According to the correspondence, the nominees include General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence. Read Also: Niger Delta Leaders Push Jonathan to Support Tinubu Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio directed that the nominees be referred to the Committee of the Whole for screening and possible confirmation next week. President Tinubu had earlier, on Monday, met with the newly appointed Service Chiefs behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Further details on the screening process are expected in the coming days.

Education, Kano, News

Former Education Commissioner Criticizes Relocation of GGSS Maikwatashi, Calls It a Misguided Decision

Former Commissioner of Education in Kano State, Muhammad Sanusi S. Kiru, has faulted the relocation of Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS) Maikwatashi to Kaura Goje, describing the move as poorly executed and politically insensitive. In an open letter addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kiru expressed deep concern over the manner in which the project was handled, accusing its handlers of “woeful inadequacy and inexperience” in managing such a sensitive educational matter. According to the former commissioner, the demolition of the old school before the completion of the new one has caused unnecessary disruptions to students, teachers, and the community. He argued that a proper relocation plan should have ensured that the new site was fully constructed, equipped, and ready before any movement occurred. Read Also: APC Chieftain Urges Kano Govt to Allow Court Decide N6.5bn Diversion Case “In my previous experience, particularly with the relocation of Jido Primary School, we ensured that the new facility was completed before transferring the students. This approach ensured a smooth transition and avoided disruptions to the learning process,” Kiru stated. He further condemned what he termed the unfair portrayal of the Sabon Gari community as a haven for criminals, saying such remarks were unjustified and could damage communal harmony. “The residents of Sabon Gari have made immense contributions to Kano State and were among your strongest supporters in the 2023 elections,” he noted. Kiru also raised alarm over the alleged sale of the old school’s land at about ₦100 million per plot, describing it as “a decision that deprived the state of valuable community assets.” He suggested that the land could have been better utilized for public facilities such as sports complexes or town halls. The former commissioner criticized a viral video by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Sunusi Surajo Kwankwaso, saying his comments worsened public outrage. He urged the governor to caution aides who are not directly involved in education from making unguarded statements on academic matters. While commending the current Commissioner for Education for maintaining neutrality, Kiru encouraged him to correct the lapses caused by the initial handling of the relocation. He urged the state government to learn from the experience and adopt a more thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable approach to future education-related projects. “The handlers of the Maikwatashi project must take responsibility for their mistakes. Relocating after the completion of the new site would have protected the government’s image and avoided public criticism,” Kiru concluded.

International, News, Politics

President Paul Biya Wins Cameroon Election With 53.66% of Votes

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 92, has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election with 53.66% of the votes, according to official results announced on Monday by the Constitutional Council. The victory extends Biya’s over four-decade rule, making him not only Africa’s but also the world’s oldest serving president. Former government minister and opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, came second with 35.2% of the votes. Tchiroma had earlier claimed victory two days after the October 12 election, alleging irregularities in the process. Read Also: Prof. Pantami to Deliver Keynote at Nigeria Muslim Forum UK’s Annual Conference The Constitutional Council, however, dismissed the claims and confirmed Biya’s victory, maintaining that the election was conducted in line with the country’s electoral laws. President Biya, who first came to power in 1982, is now set to continue leading the Central African nation amid growing calls for political reform and stability.

Jigawa, National, News, Politics

Former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido Joins Race for PDP Chairmanship

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Lamido made the announcement on Monday in a post shared on his verified Facebook page, revealing that he would visit the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, to obtain the nomination form. “By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 a.m., be at Wadata Plaza, the National Headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of the National Chairman of the Party,” Lamido stated. Read Also: Those Who Criticised Me Are Now in APC – Wike Mocks Defecting PDP Governors A founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamido expressed confidence in his capacity to reposition the party and restore its lost glory, emphasizing his long-standing commitment to democracy and party unity. He said his decision to join the race was driven by a deep desire to strengthen internal democracy and prepare the PDP for future electoral victories. “The journey to rebuild and reposition our party begins now,” Lamido declared. The Peoples Democratic Party, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, is expected to elect a new National Chairman at its forthcoming national convention.

Education, Kano, News

MAAUN Parents Forum Denounces Disturbance, Urges Legal Action Against Unruly Individuals

The Parents Association of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano, has condemned the actions of an unregistered member, Bashir Hussain Adamu, and his student niece over a disturbance at the entrance of an examination hall on October 24, describing their behavior as unacceptable and contrary to the institution’s values. In a statement signed by the association’s chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Balarabe, the group apologized to the university’s management and faculty, calling for disciplinary and legal measures against those responsible for the incident. “The behavior exhibited by Bashir Hussain Adamu and his student niece is utterly condemnable and falls short of the standards we uphold as parents and as an institution,” Balarabe said. Read Also: VAU Condemns Blackmail Attempt Against MAAUN Lecturer and Institution The incident reportedly led to a confrontation with a supervising faculty member after the pair attempted to gain unauthorized access to the exam hall. The association commended the university’s management for maintaining discipline, professionalism, and academic excellence, noting that MAAUN had consistently upheld moral and educational values since its founding. “Over the last decade, we have witnessed consistent growth, quality teaching, and integrity-driven leadership,” the statement added. It cautioned parents against interfering in academic procedures or accessing restricted areas, urging that all engagements be routed through the university’s administrative offices. The group also condemned a viral video allegedly recorded and shared by Adamu and his niece, describing it as a deliberate attempt to misrepresent facts and tarnish the image of the university and its staff. “Such acts are unacceptable and constitute an assault on the dignity of our educators,” the statement read, urging MAAUN to pursue legal action against those involved in the online blackmail. The association further advised the university to tighten campus security, criticizing personnel who allowed unauthorized access to the exam area. “Accountability must be enforced to prevent a recurrence,” it said. Reaffirming its support for MAAUN’s founder and president, Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, the association praised his visionary leadership and contribution to higher education in Nigeria and Niger Republic. “Professor Gwarzo’s tireless efforts have transformed MAAUN into a globally respected institution that promotes integrity, innovation, and excellence,” the statement noted. The association concluded by pledging continued cooperation with the university to promote discipline and respect. “We humbly request the faculty and staff to accept our profound apologies for any distress caused,” Balarabe said. “The Parents Association remains steadfast in supporting MAAUN’s vision of academic excellence and moral development.”

Kano, News, Politics

Ex-APC Councilors Pray for Governor Yusuf Over Payment of Gratuities

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) councilors who served under former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje have organized a special prayer session to express their gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the payment of their gratuities, despite political and ideological differences. The prayer session, held on Sunday at the Sheikh Ahmadu Tijjani Juma’at Mosque in Kano metropolis, featured Qur’anic recitations and prayers for the continued success of Governor Yusuf’s administration, as well as peace and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria at large. Speaking during the event, the Chairman of the Former Councilors Forum, Sunusi Kata Madobi, commended Governor Yusuf for his compassion and magnanimity, noting that the gesture had significantly improved the living conditions of the beneficiaries and their families. Read Also: Meet Rear Admiral Idi Abbas From Kano, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff He explained that the gathering was convened to pray for divine protection and guidance for the governor, acknowledging his leadership qualities and commitment to the welfare of the people. In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria League of Friday Mosque Imams, Sheikh Adam Muhammad Nasir, praised the former councilors for responding to kindness with kindness through prayers. He noted that Islam encourages believers to show appreciation for good deeds through positive actions. Also speaking, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, lauded the former councilors for organizing the prayer session as a show of gratitude to the governor. Waiya assured them of the state government’s readiness to strengthen collaboration and build stronger relationships with all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation. He further advised the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the funds received and to extend kindness to their families, who endured hardship alongside them while awaiting the payment. The prayer session was organized by the forum of former Councilors in collaboration with the forum of Kwankwasiyya Juma’at Mosque Imams.

Kano, National, News

MACBAN Appoints Dr. Hussaini Umar Ganduje as National Adviser on Youth Empowerment

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has appointed Dr. Hussaini Umar Ganduje as its National Adviser on Youth Empowerment. This was contained in an appointment letter signed by the association’s National Secretary, Bello Aliyu Gotomo, dated 20th October 2025, and addressed to Dr. Ganduje at the Ganduje District Palace in Kano State. According to the letter, the appointment takes immediate effect and was made in recognition of Dr. Ganduje’s “enormous contributions to the success and wellbeing of the Association over the years.” Read Also: Karaye Pastoralists Present Concerns to Coalition of Fulani Association Ganduje’s Achievements Still Define Kano, Despite NNPP’s Attempts to Erase Them Meet Rear Admiral Idi Abbas From Kano, Nigeria’s New Chief of Naval Staff The letter further stated that Dr. Ganduje is expected to “exercise the powers of his office to promote and empower pastoralist youth across the country,” in line with MACBAN’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of its members. While congratulating him, the National Secretary expressed confidence that Dr. Ganduje would “justify the trust and confidence reposed in him” and wished him a successful tenure in office. MACBAN, a prominent national body representing cattle breeders and pastoralist communities across Nigeria, continues to play a vital role in advancing dialogue, development, and empowerment among pastoralist groups.

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