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CITAD Sub-Grantees Produced Locally -Made Hand Sanitizers And Face Masks

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By Ali Sabo

In the month of April, 2020 the Centre for information Technology and Development (CITAD) got a grant from International Institute of Education and MacArthur Foundation to help in addressing the issue of COVID-19 in Kano State by creating awareness on how the virus was spreading among the people in the State, engaging of young people to help in propagating the knowledge on the need for social distancing, wearing of Face masks and regular hand washing, and creating awareness through the use of conventional and social media.

The trained youth who were selected from different communities in Kano State carried out different activities in their respective communities which helped in creating awareness about the virus in the state. During the training, CITAD was able to mobilize over 120 youths who were trained by experts on the areas of health, communication, social media and community mobilization virtually. These rigorous training sessions equipped the youth with better understating on how to engage their communities both online and offline.

CITAD Charges Kano Secondary Schools On ICT Inspired Learning

Following the training, CITAD invited the participants to submit application for mini projects to be carried out in their communities. Following a rigorous evaluation of the applications, 44 were given mini grants to carry out various interventions to promote public awareness and understanding about COVID 19 in their communities and to provide support in terms of linking communities to health authorities and agencies should the need arise such when individuals need testing.

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In the course of conducting their mini projects which were supported by CITAD some of the youths went extra miles to initiate activities around protective measures of COVID-19. Some of the fascinating ideas exhibited were the production of locally made hand sanitizers by 3 beneficiaries, Face masks by 9 beneficiaries; Ado Sunusi Sabongida, Ahmad Abbas Dalhatu, Aina’u Sarki, Zahra’u Waya, Basira Lawal, Fadil Muhammad, Hauwa Kassim Ahmad, Sale Bidillaji and Sumayya Dalhatu, and fliers in Hausa, Fulfulde and English and distributed to their community members. For the production of hand sanitizers, three of the sub-grantees produced different types of hand sanitizers, these hands sanitizers were distributed during the sensitization campaigns carried out by the sub-grantees. The production of Face masks was in addition to helping with this protective measures and also to draw the attention of youth to potential business opportunities.

The distribution of the hand sanitizers to the communities helped in accepting the campaigns by many as some people in the state do not believe in the existence of the virus before the sensitization campaigns and also many did not have money to buy either hand sanitizers to wash their hands or buy Face masks that they would be using to protect themselves. Many of the beneficiaries of the sensitization campaigns carried out by the sub-grantees had expressed their joy over the distributions of the hand sanitizers and the Face masks.

At Gyadi-Gyadi community of Tarauni Local Government where Aina’u Sarki, a beneficiary of CITAD mini grant who is also a community youth activist and community mobilizer conducted her sensitization campaign in her community, the community members were overjoyed on how they were given free locally made hand sanitizers after the training. One of the beneficiaries of the sensitization campaign, Malama Fatima Abdullahi of Gyadi-Gyadi community said she was very happy to receive the training, she continued to say that the training has helped her to understand the pandemic more and dispelled her previous stand denying the existence of the virus. She also thanked the organizer of the sensitization and CITAD for the hand sanitizers and Face masks given to her. Other beneficiaries that produced the locally handmade hand sanitizers were Ahmad Abbas Dalhatu, Mr. Ahmad is a youth activist and the co-founder of Rijiyar Zaki Progressive Association working on the area of improving the lives of the most vulnerable people in their community and Hauwa Kassim Ahmad, Mss. Hauwa is a women advocate working in the area of improving the lives of women in her community.

 

Ali Sabo is the
Campaigns and Communication Officer of the Centre for Information Technology and Development

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KEDCO Refutes Misleading Claims on Electricity Supply to Bayero University Kano

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Management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has refuted recent reports alleging that staff and students of Bayero University Kano (BUK) are grappling with unstable electricity supply.

 

This is contained in a statement signed by Sani Bala Sani Head of corporate communications Kano electricity Distribution Company.

Sani said the claims are false, misleading, and do not reflect the current reality of power supply to the institution.

Sani Bala said KEDCO is compelled to address the outright falsehoods in the claims made by sources from the institution in a recent report published by Daily Trust Newspaper titled: ‘How BUK’s Solar Project Collapsed, 2 Years After Commissioning’, on Saturday, 13th December 2025.

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According to Sani Bayero University Kano is supplied with Band A electricity supply, connected via the 33kV Rice Field Feeder, with a guaranteed minimum of 21 hours of electricity supply daily, in line with regulatory provisions. Records from KEDCO’s network operations clearly show consistent and reliable power delivery to the university’s main campuses.

The Head said recently a high-level engagements were held between the Management of Bayero University Kano and KEDCO, during which both parties reached a mutual understanding on strategic energy efficiency and cost-reduction measures. Chief among these resolutions is the separation of electricity supply to the staff quarters from the main academic complex, a step aimed at improving load management, transparency, and operational efficiency.

In line with this agreement, metering process has already commenced in the university’s staff quarters, covering both the old and new campuses and said the initiative will ensure accurate energy measurement, promote responsible consumption, and enhance service sustainability.

Sani Bala pointed out that KEDCO remains committed to providing reliable, quality, and transparent electricity supply to all its customers, including tertiary institutions. We encourage stakeholders and the general public to seek clarification from verified sources and avoid the dissemination of unverified reports that may cause unnecessary concern.

The company further pledges to work closely with Bayero University Kano and othe critical institutions to support uninterrupted academic and administrative activities through efficient power supply solutions.

He added that KEDCO remain committed to enhancing service delivery through continuous improvement in power supply, leveraging investment in network expansion and upgrades.

 

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Press Week: NUJ National President Inaugurates Kano Online Media Chapel Office

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As part of activities marking the celebration of Press Week 2025, the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, has inaugurated the Online Media Chapel office at the headquarters of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano Council.

Comrade Alhasan Yahaya, who was supported by the Chairman of the Kano Council of the NUJ, Comrade Suleiman Abdullahi Dederi, and the Chairman of the Kano Online Media Chapel, Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo, said the NUJ constitution, which was amended, co-opted online journalist practitioners into the NUJ. One of the key requirements for being a member of the NUJ Online Chapel is to have CAC registration, and one must be an editor or reporter of online media.

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Comrade Alhasan said that very soon the Nigeria Union of Journalists will come up with a scheme to ensure Nigerian journalists get insurance due to the hazards of the job.

Alhasan Yahaya added that private establishment practitioners will also benefit from the insurance scheme as they work hard to project the image of Nigeria.

On his part, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, said the establishment of the Online Media Chapel was done with good intention.

He said that very soon the Government of Kano State will organize a retreat for online journalists in Kano, which will be held outside the state.

During the Press Week, awards were given to the Director General of Media and Communication to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, among others.

The executives of the Online Media Chapel were inaugurated on the 27th of April at the Kano NUJ Press Center, led by Comrade Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo.

 

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Jigawa State Government to Renovate Government College Birnin Kudu

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Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has pledged to renovate the old premier Government College, Birnin Kudu, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening legacy educational institutions in the state.

The governor made the pledge during the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Birnin Kudu Old Boys Association (BIKOBA), held at the college premises. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.

According to the governor, priority attention is being given to long-established schools because of their historical significance and the calibre of leaders they have produced over the years. He noted that the history of Jigawa State cannot be adequately told without reference to Government College Birnin Kudu, given the role its alumni have played in the state’s development.

In his address, the National President of BIKOBA, Alh. (Dr.) Ja’afar Usman Muhammad (Turakin Gaya), highlighted the association’s sustained commitment to the growth of its alma mater, working in synergy with government and development partners. He commended the Jigawa State Government under Governor Namadi for allocating funds for the renovation of the school, describing the intervention as timely in view of prevailing economic challenges.

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Dr. Muhammad outlined BIKOBA’s interventions over the years, including support for water supply, desks and chairs, hostel facilities, laboratories, medical supplies, learning materials, and sporting equipment. He also acknowledged the contributions of partners such as the Dangote Foundation, Ganduje Foundation, Qatar International, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as well as class chapters and individual members.

The BIKOBA president, however, drew attention to lingering infrastructural and administrative challenges facing the college, appealing for increased financial support to rehabilitate secretariats and address critical needs. These include the reconstruction of hostels gutted by fire, renovation of dilapidated classrooms and administrative blocks, upgrading of computer centres, staff quarters, the college mosque, and conference and dining halls. He also urged government authorities to investigate alleged lapses in admission practices and restore proper entry standards to safeguard the school’s academic quality.

Chairman of the occasion, Pharmacist Hashim Ubale Yusuf, called on individual members to continue supporting the alumni association, describing such commitment as a legacy and source of inspiration for younger generations.

Also speaking, a former President of BIKOBA, Colonel Umaru Malami, cautioned members to use their time judiciously to positively impact themselves and society. He described age as transient and urged adherence to values taught by Islam. Colonel Malami further called on governments at all levels to focus on people-centred policies capable of improving living standards, rather than making empty or unrealistic promises.

The AGM concluded with calls for collective responsibility in preserving the heritage and academic standards of Government College Birnin Kudu.

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