The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, PhD has inaugurated the Kano Intellectuals Forum at the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, with a charge to academics and intellectuals to deploy their knowledge, research and expertise towards addressing the socioeconomic challenges confronting the people of the state.

Inaugurating the Forum, the Commissioner said the responsibility of academic institutions goes beyond the production of graduates and the issuance of academic certificates, stressing that higher institutions have a critical role to play in generating knowledge and providing practical solutions to the challenges confronting society.

Comrade Waiya noted that academic communities possess the technical knowledge, research capacity and professional expertise required to conduct evidence-based studies and develop innovative solutions to the problems affecting their host communities.

He therefore urged members of the Kano Intellectuals Forum to see their membership as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state by providing research-based advice, policy recommendations and technical support to government.

The Commissioner said the Forum would serve as an important platform for strengthening collaboration between the academic community and government, particularly in the areas of education, economic development, social welfare, innovation, human capital development and other sectors critical to improving the quality of life of the people.

He said the Forum has an important role to play in supporting and complementing government efforts towards improving the wellbeing of the people of Kano State.

According to him, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has demonstrated a commitment to placing the interests and welfare of the people at the centre of its development agenda through the Kano First Agenda, adding that the intellectual community should contribute its expertise towards achieving the objectives of the initiative.

Comrade Waiya called on members of the Forum to develop practical and implementable recommendations that could assist government in formulating policies and programmes capable of producing sustainable socioeconomic and political development.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Provost of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education Dr. Kabiru Gwarzo, explained that the Forum was designed to ensure broad and inclusive representation of the academic community across tertiary institutions in the state.

He said each tertiary institution would have four representatives drawn from different segments of the institution, including academic and non-academic staff, students and women.

Dr. Gwarzo said the inclusive composition was intended to ensure that the Forum benefits from diverse perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise in addressing issues affecting the development of Kano State.

In his remarks, the Acting Provost of Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Dr. Ali Tamasi, observed that Kano’s academic institutions are endowed with highly knowledgeable and experienced professionals who have provided consultancy services to organisations and institutions in and outside the country.

He stressed the need to create opportunities for such experts to deploy their knowledge and experience towards solving local challenges and contributing to the development of Kano State.

Dr. Tamasi said the establishment of the Forum would provide a structured platform for engaging intellectuals within the state to compliment the efforts of government in formulating policies and programmes, particularly in the Kano First agenda.

He explained that the Forum would advise and support government in areas such as education, socioeconomic development, research, policy formulation and other areas which would potentially support in improving the living standards of the people.

The Acting Provost expressed optimism that the Forum would strengthen the relationship between government and tertiary institutions and promote greater utilisation of academic research and professional expertise in addressing developmental challenges.

One critical area which the Forum will focus, is dissimination of Government achievements in the Tertiary institutions, for the people to appreciate the volume of investment in the sector

The Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna on Monday, October 5, reserved judgment in the appeal filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai, challenging the ruling of the Kaduna State High Court that dismissed his bail application.

El-Rufai, who is being prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), had approached the Court of Appeal, asking it to overturn the High Court’s ruling and grant him bail.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the proceedings, the ICPC lead counsel, Ayodeleji Adelukpe, said the former governor approached the Court of Appeal with an application challenging the ruling delivered by the trial court on his bail application.

“We oppose that because the bail application he is appealing against here, which is the ruling on the application, is the second one. They actually filed three before the trial judge.

“The first one was dismissed. They brought another one without showing any exceptional ground, so it was dismissed too. However, without relenting, they proceeded with another application, making it the third, which was also dismissed.

“Upon dismissal of the third application, El-Rufai decided to appeal the second application, which was the second ruling that led to this current appeal. That is why we are challenging the appeal.

“We are challenging the appeal because the trial judge who dismissed those applications was right. They failed to show any exceptional ground for why the second application should be granted.

“Despite this, they did not in any way inform the Honourable Court that they had filed the third application, which was also dismissed.

“In summary, our argument is that the appeal is unmeritorious,” he said.

However, lead counsel to the appellant, Paul Erokoro, SAN, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would grant their request and overturn the High Court’s decision on the bail application.

Erokoro described El-Rufai’s arrest and the legal battles surrounding him as politically motivated, arguing that the former governor did not commit treason or kill anyone and that the offences he is charged with are bailable.

“El-Rufai is a public figure who cannot run; he was a former governor and a former minister and is an elder statesman.

“Bail is a constitutional right. Except in capital offences, a defendant who is not on bail finds it very difficult to prepare his case.

“El-Rufai, held in ICPC custody by the agency prosecuting him, will find it difficult to access his lawyers and witnesses because he cannot be sure his communication with them is confidential.

“But with this appeal, we hope the court will take a different view and honour the bail application,” he said.

Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi Welcomes 21 Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries, Flags Off Second Batch of 38 Students

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, member representing Bichi Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, has welcomed 21 beneficiaries of his foreign scholarship programme who recently returned after completing their Master’s degree programmes abroad.

He also flagged off the second batch of the programme, comprising 38 new beneficiaries who are set to travel abroad to pursue Master’s degree programmes.

The event, which took place on Monday, 5 October 2026, at the Hagagawa Mini Stadium, Bichi, Kano State, featured a welcoming ceremony for the returning scholars, as well as the flag-off and presentation of awards to the second batch of beneficiaries.

The returning beneficiaries studied various science and technology-related courses, including Cybersecurity, Software Engineering and Information Technology. Six of the beneficiaries have also secured employment with the Federal Government and are expected to commence work at any time this week.

The event was attended by members of the National Assembly, stakeholders, community leaders, representatives of dignitaries, beneficiaries and their families, as well as other invited guests.

Addressing the returning beneficiaries, Abubakar Kabir said the initiative was part of his efforts to address some of the challenges confronting the education sector and contribute to the development of human capital.

“If you remember, one and a half years ago, we gathered here to see you off as you departed for Malaysia to pursue your Master’s degree. Alhamdulillah, today we are here again to welcome you back after successfully completing your Master’s degree.”

“I was impressed by your dedication. As we can see today, you have all become high flyers in your different fields after graduation.

“This initiative is part of my efforts to address existing educational gaps and fast-track our country’s development. Globally, human capital is the number one asset, and it is against this backdrop that we have taken this step,” he said.

Speaking to the new beneficiaries, Abubakar Kabir urged them to remain good ambassadors of Nigeria while abroad. He charged them to remain focused on their studies, achieve outstanding academic results and make the country proud.

He noted that all necessary arrangements had been made to provide the beneficiaries with a conducive learning environment.

“In this regard, I feel that the best action is to support what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf are doing by providing access to education for less privileged youths,” Abubakar Kabir added.

Earlier, the Secretary of the Foreign Scholarship Committee, Dr. Ado Abdu Bichi, said the beneficiaries were selected strictly on merit after undergoing a comprehensive screening process.

He commended the initiative of Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, saying the scholarship programme would contribute significantly to producing more highly educated young people in Bichi Federal Constituency.

Also speaking at the event, Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, commended Abubakar Kabir for his commitment to empowering young people through education.

“I have spent almost over 30 years in the House of Representatives, and I have never seen a member like Abubakar Kabir Abubakar. His participation and commitment are not only in Bichi, Lagos or Enugu; they extend across Nigeria,” Ado-Doguwa said.

The event brought together lawmakers from across the country, stakeholders, representatives of dignitaries, beneficiaries and their families, community leaders and other invited guests to mark another significant phase in the foreign scholarship programme.