By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

There has been debate in the online media space in Kano about the actual founder of Kano State’s first owned university, the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.

During the aborted Third Republic, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya was sworn in as the Governor of Kano State in January 1992, succeeding Colonel Idris Garba, now retired Major General Idris Garba, as Governor of Kano State.

When Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya became Governor, he hardly appeared at any public function without saying “Insha Allah,” which means “by Allah’s will”—a phrase every Muslim is encouraged to say before embarking on any earthly endeavor.

But keen political observers at the time understood that most of Governor Kabiru Gaya’s pronouncements on the eve of his inauguration were not fulfilled before the military takeover on 17 November 1993.

For example, on the day of his inauguration, Governor Kabiru Gaya told the Kano populace at the Racecourse that he was going to build a large stadium. Until he left Government House, that promise was never fulfilled.

He also promised to separate male and female passengers; at that time, the main means of transportation in Kano and its environs was the Hiace bus. That promise was also never implemented.

Meanwhile, Kano’s neighboring state, the newly created Jigawa, under its young Governor, Ali Sa’adu Birnin Kudu—a protégé of Alhaji Sule Lamido—hit the ground running and executed several projects. These included establishing the first radio station in Jigawa, whose airwaves could be received in Kano, and the immediate construction of 1,000 houses called Gida Dubu in the Takur area of the state capital.

From then on, Kano people began referring to their governor with the slogan: “Insha Allahu na Kano, Aiki na Jigawa,” meaning, “The pronouncement of Allah’s will is in Kano, while the practical work is going on in Jigawa.”

Now, to the main subject: In 1992, with the proliferation of state-owned universities in the southern part of Nigeria, northern states began following suit. That year, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, the late Governor of Benue State during the same aborted Third Republic, secured a license to establish Benue State University—just as Governor Kabiru Gaya, ruling Kano under the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), secured a license from the National Universities Commission to establish Kano State’s first university.

Nigerian Tracker observed that, unlike Governor Kabiru Gaya of Kano, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, apart from securing the license for Benue State University, ensured that the institution began operations immediately, with structures put in place and academic activities kicking off.

Governor Kabiru Gaya also appointed its first Vice-Chancellor, a computer scientist, Malam Hafiz Wali, a Master’s degree holder, and sited its campus at Bagauda, now the Kano Law School. However, when Governor Kwankwaso assumed leadership of Kano in 1999, he changed the site to the present campus in Wudil because the Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to build a Law School, and Governor Kwankwaso handed the Bagauda site over to the Federal Government for that purpose.

In contrast, for the Kano State University, apart from obtaining the license, nothing else was done until the military intervened and Governor Kabiru Gaya left office with only the license to his credit.

Nigerian Tracker reports that by the year 2001—eight years after Benue State University had already graduated many students—Kano State, under the leadership of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in his first tenure, dusted off the license secured by Governor Kabiru Gaya, established structures, and ordered the immediate commencement of academic activities. Today, the institution has been in operation for 24 years, while Benue State University has operated for 33 years.

So, between Governor Kabiru Gaya and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who actually established Kano State’s first university?

In a disturbing twist to the ongoing battle against insurgency, two soldiers attached to the 135 Special Forces Battalion are under investigation for alleged collaboration with ISWAP terrorists and compromising national security in Yobe State.

The soldiers’ telephone conversations were intercepted and analyzed by security operatives, revealing links to the May 9 kidnapping of commuters along the Gashua–Azare highway.

Sources close to the investigation said the duo allegedly leaked the movements of their patrol team along the Buratai–Kamuya–Azare–Gashua axis, paving the way for ISWAP fighters to stage an ambush that briefly disrupted civilian movement before a successful counter-attack was launched.

The betrayal is believed to have enabled the terrorists to set up the ambush, which was ultimately foiled by troops of the same battalion during a swift rescue mission that led to the freeing of four abducted civilians and the recovery of weapons and equipment.

Military authorities have since launched a full-scale internal investigation into the matter. The two soldiers are currently in custody, and their identities are being withheld pending further findings.

This revelation has triggered concerns over internal sabotage and the urgent need for tighter intelligence monitoring within the ranks to prevent future breaches and preserve the integrity of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Northeast.

A top security official stated, “The system will not spare any uniformed personnel found collaborating with enemies of the state. The fight against insurgency must be backed by absolute loyalty and trust.”

Credit:Zagazola Makama

The Gombe State AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment) Project has officially commenced its Training of Trainers under the Life Skills Component, marking a significant step toward the effective implementation of the initiative aimed at empowering young girls across the state.

The five-day training, organized by the Guidance and Counselling Development Association in partnership with the Gombe State AGILE Project, kicked off at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Gombe with the participation of key stakeholders and representatives from various institutions.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Gombe State AGILE Project Coordinator, Dr. Amina Haruna Abdul, represented by the **Deputy Project Coordinator, Aishatu Sambo, reaffirmed the project’s commitment to achieving its objectives. She emphasized that life skills development is a critical aspect of the AGILE initiative, stressing the importance of laying a solid foundation for its successful and systematic execution.

“Life skills are essential for shaping the future of adolescent girls in Gombe State. We are committed to ensuring the proper implementation of this component in line with the overall goals of AGILE,” said Dr. Amina.

Also speaking at the event, the **World Bank National Team Lead, Mrs. Dorcas Kadangs Yakubu , praised the state’s effort and pace in establishing a strong foundation for the project. She urged the facilitators and organizers to strictly adhere to the World Bank’s project objectives and operational guidelines, warning against any deviations, as the Bank maintains a zero-tolerance policy on project mismanagement.

The State Component Lead on Life Skills, Walida Maryam Muhammad, highlighted the purpose of the training, noting that it was designed to equip master trainers with basic and practical knowledge on life skills. The trained participants will, in turn, train teachers in public schools across the state to cascade the knowledge to adolescent girls.

Participants in the training were drawn from tertiary institutions, faith-based organizations, and guidance and counseling bodies across Gombe State.

Throughout the training sessions, presentations were delivered on critical areas such as Life Skills Development, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and Safe Space Demonstrations, which are essential components of the life skills curriculum.

The training is expected to significantly enhance the capacity of educators and mentors to support and empower adolescent girls in Gombe State through quality life skills education.