KANO, Nigeria – In a significant step toward fostering inclusive education for adolescent girls, a gathering was convened in Kano state to disseminate the findings of a baseline survey conducted in Nassarawa and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas (LGAs). Salisu Galadima, a key figure in the initiative, addressed the assembly, shedding light on critical issues affecting girls’ education in the region.

Galadima, while addressing the gathering, emphasized that a staggering 90 percent of school dropouts among adolescent girls in Kano state can be attributed to factors rooted in poverty. He pointed out that economic challenges force many families to withdraw their daughters from school, hindering their educational progress.

Another significant factor contributing to school dropouts, as highlighted in the survey, is the failure of adolescent girls to pass qualifying exams. The pressure and implications of these exams, often shaped by cultural and social norms, create barriers that disproportionately affect girls’ educational journeys.

Iliyasu Muazu Sharada, a village head of Sharada , proposed a unique solution to address the issue. He suggested the cancellation of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) qualifying exam, contending that such a move would minimize school dropouts. His proposal sparked discussions on the broader implications of exam-centric educational systems and their impact on vulnerable populations.

Amidst the discussions, a prevailing sentiment emerged – the potential negative consequences of monetizing every aspect of education. Participants in the gathering voiced concerns that excessive financial demands within the educational system could exacerbate disparities and lead to increased dropout rates among adolescent girls.

The initiative’s commitment to inclusivity was evident in the diverse group of women drawn from the selected LGAs. The gathering served as a platform for these women to express their perspectives and experiences, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on improving educational outcomes for adolescent girls in Kano state.

As the dissemination of baseline survey findings marks a crucial step forward, the call for inclusive actions to address the multifaceted challenges faced by adolescent girls in pursuit of education gains momentum. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders and community members aim to create a more equitable educational landscape, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to thrive in the pursuit of knowledge.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has sought the interventions of the United States, European Union and African Union over what they described as manipulations of electoral verdict to overturn the victory of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

At the protests staged on Wednesday in the embassies of U.S, E.U and AU in Abuja, the acting National Chairman of the NNPP, Abba Kawu Ali, said the lower court have compromised in their judgment with the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the Appeal Court verdict indicating that Governor Yusuf validly won the March 18 election.

He added that the NNPP protest in the embassies was to bring the issue to the notice of all well-meaning nations and well-meaning democratic organizations.

Ali said: “If at the point of delivering the judgment, there was a pronouncement that our Appeal failed but the CTC of the same judgment in its conclusive findings actually resolved all the issues in our favour, and even awarded costs in our favour against the APC, this definitely is a riddle.”

Speaking further,  the acting Chairman of the NNPP told the EU that, “We need you to bring your diplomacy, your soft power to play over the Nigerian government, the Nigerian presidency, so that the judiciary is left to do its work.

Further, Ali said, “We don’t need any favors. We want justice. We want justice for the people of Kano. And we say this because Kano is one of the most volatile states in this country”.

Ali, who warned of dangers of electoral injustice, noted that, “It happened in 2019. And it’s happening again. It’s some form of deja vu. We have done our best to tell the people of Kano to remain calm”.

KANO, Nigeria- In the aftermath of the March 18, 2023 elections in Kano, a concerning political landscape has emerged, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters steadfastly asserting claims to victory and raising fears of potential violence.

Since the period before and after the March 18 elections, the APC and its supporters have been vocal in their assertions of victory, employing various tactics to secure their position. The intensity of these claims has sparked worries that the APC is, in every sense of the word, provoking violence more than any other political group in Kano.
Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the chairman of Kano Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, voiced these concerns in response to the ongoing political turmoil, particularly its impact on the judicial process. Speaking exclusively to Hausa Channel DCL Hausa, Chairman Rimin Gado, expressing his opinions as an individual and a bona fide Kano citizen, highlighted the potential for increased violence stemming from the APC’s persistent claims.

In his statements, Chairman Rimin Gado underscored the delicate nature of the political climate, emphasizing the need for lawful means in resolving electoral disputes to avert potential violence.

The historical context, as outlined by Chairman Rimin Gado, includes the 2023 elections where the Nigeria New Progress Party (NNPP) emerged as the victor. Despite a fair and square victory, Chairman Rimin Gado noted instances where the former ruling party, APC, mobilized individuals wielding machetes. These individuals attempted to snatch and destroy ballot boxes won by NNPP, with the intent of forcing the election into inconclusiveness. These efforts, however, ultimately did not succeed.

As Kano grapples with the aftermath of contested election results, the concerns raised by Chairman Rimin Gado shed light on the need for a peaceful resolution and the preservation of the integrity of the electoral process in the region.

Amidst the political turbulence in Kano, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, the chairman of the Kano Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, has not only expressed concerns over potential violence but also issued a strong call for the preservation of judicial independence and impartiality.

The call for judicial independence comes at a critical time when political tensions are high, and the integrity of the electoral process is under scrutiny. Chairman Rimin Gado underscored the importance of the judiciary in serving as a bastion of justice, ensuring that disputes are resolved in accordance with the law, free from undue interference.

Furthermore, he highlighted the need for transparency in the adjudication of cases related to the contested election results in Kano. Chairman Rimin Gado asserted that an impartial judiciary would play a crucial role in fostering peace and stability in the region, allowing for a democratic process that upholds the rights and will of the people.