The Rumfa College Old Boys Association (RUMFOBA) Class ’94 marked its 30th anniversary in Kano on Thursday, with a call to the Kano state government to establish database centres in each community.

These centres, to be led by village heads, would provide vital data on households across the state, enabling informed decision-making, planning, and project implementation.¹

Chairman of RUMFOBA Class ’94, Engineer Professor Ibrahim Sani Madugu, emphasized the importance of these database centres in ensuring security, supporting community development, and promoting small-scale industries and trades.

The class chapter has undertaken two major projects to support their alma mater: ensuring water availability in major areas and installing a CCTV surveillance system.

Following consultations with the Principal, additional projects were identified, including:

– _Solar-Based Security Lights_: for vulnerable areas such as the NCC computer centre and laboratories
– _Carpets for School Mosques_
– _Replacement of Dead Solar Batteries_
– _Payment of Owed Allowances_ for security personnel

Engineer Madugu stressed the need for the Kano state government to leverage renewable energy sources, such as solar power, to address electricity challenges.

He commended the government’s efforts in establishing the Kano Hydro Electricity Development Company (KHEDCO) and power stations at Tiga and Karaye dams.

Madugu, who leads a research team on Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) at Kampala International University, highlighted the importance of addressing climate change threats and exploring innovative solutions.

During the anniversary celebration, three individuals were awarded for their commitment to supporting Rumfa College and the educational sector in Kano State: former Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-mata, and another recipient.

Kano State Commissioner for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar-mata, commended RUMFOBA’s dedication to education and advised the union to focus on successfully implementing single projects annually, while communicating other challenges to the state government for necessary attention.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has Dangote Refinery over the recent slashed in the fuel price, describing it as a timely economic relief for Nigerians.

Speaking with journalists , the Chairman, NLC Lagos Council, Comrade Funmi Sessi said Dangote Refinery has come at the right time.

She expressed optimism that the reduction would ease transportation costs, lower the prices of goods and services, and provide financial relief to citizens struggling with the high cost of living.

“This adjustment promises to offer much-needed relief for millions of Nigerians who have been grappling with high fuel prices and the rising cost of living.

“If not for Dangote refinery,  we believe that government will still be importing fuel.

“But now, Dangote is producing about 650,000 litres of  barrel per day, while both Port Harcourt refinery and the other refurbished one are producing about 210,000 litres of barrels per day. Which is not even up to half of what Dangote is producing.

“With this, Dangote has brought a healthy rivalry to the sector and we have started seeing reduction in the petroleum prices and even Dangote have started taking Petroleum to countries such as Ghana, Togo and other countries. What this means is that it will bring stability on our own currency. In this instance , we want to give it to Dangote. We also appreciate its timely intervention.

“Don’t also forget that the National Assembly is trying to bring out a bill that Nigerians should start domesticating our own currency. It so disheartening that our currency is no more strong, even in the West Africa region.

“So, government should encourage Dangote and more players coming in because this will allow healthy rivalry.

“We welcome this relief, which will help many Nigerians struggling due to the high cost of living, and we urge other stakeholders to emulate the Dangote Group’s example for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Sessi said.

On the proposed 2025 budget ,Comrade Sessi said if the government can be strict in it’s implementation, there is hope for the revival of the economy.

” With the budget , we can see that there is hope for Nigeria. Most especially if government can be strict in it’s implementations, there will will improvement in the security , food production and other areas,” She said.

The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Second Chance Programme in Kano State has successfully enrolled 5,000 out-of-school girls back into the educational system. This was announced by Dr. Auwal Halilu, Technical Assistant for the AGILE Second Chance Programme, during a one-day training session for enumerators on the enrollment and validation of out-of-school girls held at the Centre for Reading, Bayero University, Kano.

Dr. Halilu explained that the training session served as a refresher for enumerators who have been instrumental in identifying out-of-school girls aged 15 to 25. “We have done a lot of work in November and early December, during which we identified 5,000 young girls. Some of the girls are above fifteen and they are all enrolled in young adult learning classes,” Dr. Halilu stated.

Cross section of enumerators during the session

He emphasized the importance of the refresher training, noting that it aligns with the objectives and ideals of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to see education prosper in Kano State. “We felt that our enumerators need to refresh their memory by 2025 in line with the objective and ideals of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to see that education prospers in Kano State. In AGILE Second Chance, we see the need to set a target, and by 2025, we aim to have young girls aged 15 to 25 returned to school,” he added.

The training focused on introducing enumerators to modern techniques, respecting clients, and cultural sensitivity. Dr. Halilu expressed the ambitious goal of returning ten thousand out-of-school girls to school each quarter, aiming to have at least 40,000 girls back in school by the end of 2025.

Hajiya Jamila Ibrahim addressing news men

Hajiya Jamila Ibrahim, another key figure in the programme, highlighted the importance of the refresher training for the enumerators. “We want our enumerators to put in more effort. We want to encourage them and show them the government’s interest in what they are doing and motivate them,” she said.

The enumerators shared their experiences and the impact of the training. Enumerator Ahmad Sani Saye expressed his satisfaction, stating, “We are very glad and the training has refreshed our minds.” Hadiza Ibrahim, who works at a private and voluntary institution board, emphasized the significance of the programme, saying, “Second Chance is a great opportunity to support the girl child. We are ready and understand what is supposed to be done.”

The AGILE Second Chance Programme aims to provide educational opportunities for out-of-school girls, enhancing their chances of a brighter future and contributing to the overall development of the region.