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Rationale Behind Queen Elizabeth Endorsment Of Ganduje’s Education Policy

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5 years ago

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Queen Of England

 

 

By​ Malam Muhammad Garba

 

Gearing up to the re-opening of schools as the wave of the COVID-19 pandemic gradually dies down, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Sunday, August 30, displayed his unwavering passion for good governance when he distributed over N880,922,432,38 to Community Promotion Council (CPC), across​ the 44 Local Government Areas of the state for the rehabilitation of primary schools. The CPC was mandated to ensure that the work is done within a period of three weeks.

 

During the elaborate ceremony held at the Indoor Sports Hall, Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, Ganduje who spoke before eminent dignitaries and stakeholders in the education sector who came from across the globe, assured that his administration would continue to finance education being the​ bedrock for societal development. He emphasized that, “it is because of the importance we attach to this sector that our budgetary provision for education is over 26 percent.”

Governor Ganduje’s Free Primary Education Policy Laughable -Doguwa

In that occasion, each Local Government branch of CPC received the sum of​ N20 Million​ for the renovation of selected primary schools across the state. There is no gainsaying the fact that the Ganduje’s administration has demonstrated the political will to ensure that every child in Kano state has unhindered access to basic education.

Queen Elizabeth hails the scenario duirng the distribution

This explians the reason why there is high level of community participation towards the development of education in the state, as good spirited Kano citizens who have the interest of the state at heart have continued to show support to Ganduje’s giant strides in the education sector.

 

Governor Ganduje’s zeal and passion to develop education in Kano state is highly showcased in the​ budgetary allocation in 2020 which is well over 26 percent, of which five percent of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and five percent of the Local Government statutory allocation are part of it.

More so, the entire size of the Education Trust Fund are judiciously being invested for what it is meant for. The Ganduje’s administration​ is making all this effort to ensure that the Kano child has quality education.

 

It is, however, important to note that education development is a must for the overall development of our state. The state government is also making good use of​ the Federal Statutory​ funds and other grants from development partners for the development of primary and basic education which has been long declared free and compulsory in the state.

 

One will, however, not be surprised at the avalanche of accolades and praises coming from notable world leaders who have sincerely hailed Ganduje’s giant strides in education sector. Apart from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Minister of Education, Prof. Adamu Adamu, who at different fora, in recent times, blew Ganduje’s trumpet over his uncommon achievements in education, several other world leaders and representatives of International NGOs and development partners, such as DFID, UNICEF, World Bank, among others,​ have also continued to show their appreciation and admiration to Ganduje’s style of leadership and dispensation of democratic dividends, overwhelmingly, in the education sector.

 

Indeed, Ganduje’s revolution in the basic and secondary school education sector has earned him commendations from all over the world. Countries such as the United Arab​ Emirates, France, United States of America (USA), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,​ among others have indicated their interest to work with Kano state government​ towards the success of this project.

 

No wonder that at the ceremony last Sunday, one of the foremost world leaders,​ the Queen of England, Elizabeth 11, commended Ganduje’s effort in education, describing the commitment as encouraging and commendable.The Queen who spoke through the representative of the Department for International Development (DFID), Nafisa Ado, said, “Kano is really doing well in protecting the rights of children with her free and compulsory primary and secondary education policy. On behalf of Her Majesty, the Queen of England, we are commending Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for investing rightly in education.

 

“We will consistently partner with the state government in this direction.

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While we strengthen the capacity of our communities through our education and governance programs, we shall maintain our support to the state. The Queen of England will continue its support. From 31 August, the name DFID will be replaced by FCDO. That is the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.” and Queen Elizabeth tesitifies to that

 

Recall that in the first week of September last year,​ stakeholders in the basic education sector across the globe gathered at Coronation Hall, Kano Government House where the two-day Stakeholders Summit on Free and Compulsory Basic Education took place.Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Education, Prof. Adamu Adamu; former Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, top politicians, members of the diplomatic corps, foreign ambassadors and representatives of the international community were present at the epoch-making event, which kick-started the revolution being witnessed in the basic and primary education sector.

 

Few months ago, the funding component of the Free and Compulsory Basic and Secondary Education in the state was​ launched at the Sani Abacha Stadium Indoor Sports Hall. During that event, Ganduje distributed cash to over 110,000 schools across the state designed to enable them build capacity and​

human resource development.

 

Governor Ganduje also​ distributed 790 Digital Classroom All Inclusive Empowerment Solution​ and Tablets to 728 teachers, 39 Master Teachers, nine Senior Secondly School Officers and 14​

Principal Officers. The programme​

was aimed at capacity building towards free and compulsory education on School​

Development​ Plan (SDP) and ICT appreciation​ for directors and zonal​

education directors.

 

Moreso, the free and compulsory basic and secondary education policy has necessitated​ massive rehabilitation and construction of new class rooms, provision of instructional materials, training and restraining of teachers,​ provision of water, toilets and electricity in schools and strengthening of our Institutions quality assurance.

 

In line with the free and compulsory basic and secondary school education policy, Ganduje’s administration has commenced direct funding of primary and secondary schools numbering 1180 with a total students population of 834, 366 at a total cost of about N200 million per month or N2.4 billion per annum. Furthermore, ​ Ganduje has budgeted N357 million to take care of free-feeding for pupils​ in primary four to six classes in all​

primary schools across the state.

 

Similarly, government has provided school

uniforms to 779, 522 newly enrolled pupils (boys and girls) at the total cost of N381 million. Governor Ganduje flagged off the distribution of the school uniforms and other instructional materials at Mariri Special Primary School in Kumbotso Local Government Area last year. In a bid to reduce teaching deficiency in the education sector, the state government has engaged 3000 volunteer teachers to teach in the various public and Qu’ranic schools across the state.

 

The most beautiful aspect of Ganduje’s policy on free and compulsory basic education is the re-modeling of the Almajiri education system. About 650 special teachers have been recruited by the Ganduje’s administration to teach the Almajiris English, Mathematics and other conventional subjects even as they​

continue with Quranic education. Today in Kano, Almajiris who hitherto flood the streets in tattered clothes are now provided with free school​ uniforms and instructional materials to learn in school just like their peers. This has not only solved the problem of nuisance ​ constituted by the Almajiris when they roam the street begging during school hours, it will also change the worldviews of these hapless children and at the end, give them a sense of belonging in the society. ​

 

Already, Kano state government has commenced the streamlining of about 13, 619 Ouaranic schools with 2.5 million pupils across the state and integrate them into the free and compulsory education programme. The state government has also set up Quaranic and Islamiyyah Schools Management Board.

 

There is nogainsaying the fact that the implementation of free and compulsory basic and secondary education in the state for all children has reached commendable stage. Though very expensive, considering the huge amount of money involved, Ganduje believes that there is no better time to lay strong foundation for the future of Kano children, than now; and this must be done by ensuring that every Kano child has unhindered access to free and compulsory education.

 

This explains why he made it a cardinal aspect of his policy thrust in the Next Level agenda of his administration. During his inaugural speech on May 29, 2019, he promised Kano parents that they will no longer spend money​on purchasing uniforms, learning materials, feeding during school hours and​ school fees for their children. All that they need to do is to encourage their​ children to go to school and learn. This promise has been fulfilled by Governor Ganduje.

 

Today in Kano, compulsory, free primary and bssic education policy has become a success story. Indeed, there is no better way to build a better future and ensure that tomorrow will be better than today for our children who are no doubt leaders of the generation to come,​ than to create a solid foundation that is built on the bedrock of quality and qualitative education policy that can stand the test of time. This is Ganduje’s goal—- a goal he is pursuing with passion, a goal he is getting. Now that this policy has received the blessings and commendation of the revered Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, Governor Ganduje is encouraged to do, even more.

For Queen Elizabeth II that has been on the throne for long its a welcome development, Queen Elizabeth II will continue to prosper in her effort, Queen Elizabeth II

Garba is the Commissioner for Information, Kano State.

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Beyond the Godfather’s Shadow: Why Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Chose Kano Over a Provincial Presidential Quest

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​By Kabiru Sani Dogo Maiwanki

​The recent pronouncements by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso regarding Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s strategic political recalibration have finally stripped away the façade, exposing the profound ideological fissures within the NNPP hierarchy. In a caustic address delivered Saturday evening, the Senator characterized the Governor’s newfound autonomy as a “betrayal” of a far more egregious nature than that of his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. However, in this vitriolic attempt to cast himself as the victim of political infidelity, Kwankwaso inadvertently betrayed a disconcerting truth: he viewed the incumbent administration not as a sovereign executive entity, but as a subordinate instrument of his personal political estate.

​Senator Kwankwaso remarked that, as a presidential hopeful, his fundamental expectation was that the administration he purportedly “installed” would function as a geopolitical centrifuge—a financial and logistical catalyst designed to project the Kwankwasiyya hegemony into neighboring Northwestern territories. He expressed profound chagrin that, over two years into this mandate, the machinery of the Kano State government has not been weaponized to “conquer” even Jigawa State for his political brand. This revelation is remarkably candid; it implies that the Senator’s patronage of the current administration was never rooted in the socio-economic advancement of the Kano populace, but was instead a cynical stratagem to treat the state’s commonwealth as a private war chest for a singular, ego-driven presidential odyssey.

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​By resisting this role, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has committed what Kwankwaso perceives as an unpardonable “sin,” but what objective observers must recognize as a courageous act of institutional integrity. The Governor’s refusal to allow the Kano State treasury to be cannibalized for regional political expansion is a resounding victory for fiscal prudence and administrative transparency. It represents a principled rejection of the archaic practice where public commonwealth is weaponized to bolster the narrow political interests of a singular godfather at the expense of the citizenry.

​The depth of the Senator’s desperation is now laid bare for all to see. In a striking reversal from his usual posture of absolute authority, Kwankwaso has been reduced to making public appeals for reconciliation. His recent plea—openly asking anyone with access to the Governor to “beg him to come back”—reveals a leader who has finally grasped the magnitude of his loss. It is the sound of a man who realizes that the “innocent aide” he once underrated has not only secured his independence but has taken the soul of the movement with him.

​It is therefore essential for Kwankwaso and other political leaders who pride themselves on their political stature to realize that there is a limit to how long they can continue to deceive and exploit their followers. Respect must be reciprocal; whether between a leader and the led, there is a definitive limit to the amount of insult, manipulation, and contempt any person can endure.

Whenever you push a supporter to the brink and their patience finally runs out, the consequences of their anger will certainly be unpleasant for those in power.
​For the well-meaning people of Kano, this is a moment to offer unalloyed commendation. Governor Abba deserves praise for his steadfastness in protecting the state’s allocations and for prioritizing the welfare of the masses over the expansionist agenda of a political empire. Abba Kabir Yusuf has chosen to be the custodian of the people’s trust rather than a puppet for personal ambition, and in doing so, he has redefined the essence of leadership in Kano.

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From Zamfara roots to national vision: Aliyu Muhammad Adamu, seasoned media leader, returns home to serve his people.”

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Aliyu Muhammad Adamu was born on 29th December 1982 in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, into the respected Adamu Joji family.

He hails from a lineage that includes notable family members such as Alhaji Sanda Adamu Tsafe (Sarkin Yakin Tsafe), Alhaji Aliyu Adamu (Danmadami), Alhaji Sani Adamu, Hajiya Khadija Adamu (Gwoggo Dala), and Hajiya Amina, among others.

His father, Muhammad Adamu (popularly known as Nata’ala), later relocated to Kano State in pursuit of business expansion. As a result, Aliyu and his siblings were raised in Kano, where he began his early education at Da’awa Primary School, Kano.

Driven by a strong connection to his roots, Aliyu returned to Zamfara State for his secondary education, attending Unity Secondary School, Gummi. He subsequently gained admission into Bayero University, Kano (BUK), where he obtained both his Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree, graduating in 2010.

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After completing his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Aliyu faced the realities of life with resilience and determination, navigating through challenges that shaped his character and leadership capacity. In 2014, he returned to Zamfara State and began his professional career in the media industry with Gamji Television and Radio.

Through dedication, hard work, and professional excellence, he served the organization for nearly ten years, rising through the ranks to become the General Manager of the station, an achievement that underscored his leadership, administrative competence, and commitment to public communication.

In 2023, Aliyu voluntarily resigned from the media organization and relocated to Kano State in pursuit of broader opportunities and personal development. Today, driven by a renewed sense of purpose and a lifelong commitment to his people, Aliyu Muhammad Adamu is preparing to return to his hometown to seek the support and mandate of his people. His aspiration is to represent our parents, brothers, and sisters at the federal level, with a clear vision of contributing meaningfully to the development, unity, and overall progress of Zamfara State.

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Opinion

Opinion:The Anatomy Of A Hoax- Setting The Record Straight On Governor Abba Yusuf

Published

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January 4, 2026

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​By Ahmed Badamasi Tsaure

​The recent wave of political “scoops” regarding the purported defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved beyond mere speculation into a coordinated campaign of character assassination. Most notably, reports by Daily Nigerian claiming the Governor’s move was “postponed” are masterpieces of fiction, designed to paint a sitting Governor as indecisive and subordinate. As a witness to the political realities in Kano, I find it necessary to dismantle these fallacies with the facts that the purveyors of this rumor have conveniently ignored. In Nigerian politics, defection is a statutory process requiring a formal resignation from one’s current party. To date, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has not submitted any resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). To claim that a “finalized arrangement” for a Monday registration existed is a procedural hallucination; one cannot join a new house without first stepping out of the old one.
​Furthermore, the narrative suggests the Governor’s plans were shelved because he failed to seek the “blessings” of local APC bigwigs. This is a laughable distortion of executive power. History is replete with Governors who defected based on executive conviction without the interference of local APC “big wigs.” We have seen this with the Governor of Delta vs. Senator Omo-Agege, the Governor of Bayelsa vs. David Lyon and Minister Heineken Lokpobiri, the Governor of Rivers vs. Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Plateau vs. the current National Chairman of the APC. More recently, the defections of Governors like Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Ben Ayade (Cross River), and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) proved that when a Governor moves, he does so as the new leader of the party in his state. It is also historically hypocritical to label such a move as “betrayal.” When Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso defected from the PDP to the APC in 2013, he did not seek permission from any person or leadership—he led a rebellion based on his own conviction. If it was “principled politics” for the godfather then, it cannot be “betrayal” for the Governor now.

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​What, then, remains for a Governor who already holds the overwhelming mandate of his people? It is a known fact that Governor Abba Yusuf moves with the ironclad support of almost 95% of the Kano State House of Assembly, 50% of the National Assembly members from the state, all 44 Local Government chairmen, and the entire grassroots party structure. The desperate attempt by the NNPP National Working Committee to dissolve the Kano executive committees is a futile, “too-late” maneuver that only confirms their loss of control. When a Governor commands such total loyalty, he does not ask for permission; he leads. The defection of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is inevitable if he so wishes, as he carries the entire political soul of Kano with him.
​The theory that the APC postponed this move because Senator Kwankwaso is not coming along simply does not hold water. Kwankwaso’s refusal to join the APC is a settled matter; it is alleged the President offered him a ministerial position or the Chairmanship of the soon-to-be resuscitated Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), both of which he rejected after his demand to join the Presidential ticket was denied. Using this stalemate as a pretext for the Governor’s “indecision” is a transparent lie aimed at making the Governor look like a political appendage. It is disheartening to see Daily Nigerian abandon objective journalism to frame the Governor as a “betrayer.” If Governor Abba Yusuf chooses to move, he does so as a leader of a massive political movement. The media must stop concocting stories to mislead the public. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains focused on his mandate. These rumors are merely the desperate gasps of those who wish to see Kano in perpetual turmoil.

​Ahmed Badamasi Tsaure writes from Shanono Local Government, Kano State. He can be reached at ahmedtsaure28@gmail.com.

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