Gov Yusuf Arrives Syprus, Vows to Secure Certificates of Stranded Kano Graduates Abandoned by Ganduje

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has taken a decisive step to address the prolonged challenges faced by Kano students unable to access their academic certificates throughout Ganduje’s administration.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday, it was revealed that Governor Yusuf held a critical meeting with the management of Near East University in Cyprus to tackle the issue.

The discussion focused on the overdue release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019.

Many of these graduates, particularly from fields such as Medicine and Nursing, have been unable to advance in their careers due to the non-payment of tuition fees by the Ganduje led immediat past administration.

The governor described the situation as a major setback, not only for the affected students but also for the state, which has been deprived of skilled professionals in critical sectors particularly the healthcare service.

However, he expressed optimism following what he called fruitful discussions with the university management aimed at settling the liabilities and facilitating the release of the certificates.

“This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise,” the governor remarked.

“One cannot imagine that as governor, Ganduje cannot pay for tuition of these medical students who much need for immediate employment with Kano state government, it is a shame on him”

“We remain committed to prioritizing education and the welfare of our people as a foundation for sustainable growth.”

Governor Yusuf’s intervention underscores his administration’s resolve to address systemic challenges in the education sector.

The anticipated resolution of this issue is expected to enable the graduates to fulfill their potential and make meaningful contributions to Kano State’s development.

This effort signals a new chapter of hope for the affected graduates and reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a brighter future for its citizens.

The Nigerian government has issued a warning about the newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, which has spread to 29 countries globally.

This variant was first reported in Australia and has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.

The XEC variant is a recombinant strain, meaning it is a hybrid of two pre-existing COVID subvariants. It has mutations that may affect how the virus behaves or its potential impact on human health.

To address this concern, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, has written the Chairman, Committee of Chief Medical Directors/Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals, advising hospitals to activate their alert systems and be on high alert for patients with COVID-like symptoms.

The letter titled: “Letter of conveyance in respect of the newly detected xec covid-19 strain”, with DHS/INSPDIV/017/VOL.1/46 and dated December 5, 2024, was signed by Dr. O. N. Anuma, Head, Teaching Hospital Division for the Permanent Secretary.

The government tasked the committee to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols, which it said will be vital for effective response strategies.

The letter on Saturday partly read: “I am directed to inform you of a newly detected XEC COVID-19 variant, which has been reported in Australia and has already, spread to 29 countries globally. (Letter attached) You may wish to know that this variant has shown a growth advantage over other circulating strains, raising concerns about its potential impact on public health.

Alert systems should be immediately activated throughout our hospitals for high index of suspicion in patients with COVID-like symptoms.

“We request your Committee to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to share critical data regarding this strain and implement enhanced monitoring protocols. Timely information sharing among relevant stake holders including Federal Ministry of Health will be vital for effective response strategies.

“Please accept, as always, the assurances of the Permanent Secretary’s warm regards.”

Meanwhile, here are some key things to know about the XEC variant:

“Transmission: The XEC variant is highly transmissible and has spread to many countries.

A group of concerned citizens from Zamfara State, led by Abdurrahman Muhammad Adamu Joji, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the appointment of Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF). The group expressed their concerns in a statement, urging the President not to retain the current executive secretary, whom they accuse of protecting the interests of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Joji criticized the current executive secretary, stating that she has been in office for too long without bringing any meaningful dividends to the people of Zamfara. “She has been in the office for too long and has not brought any meaningful dividend to the Zamfara people,” Joji stated. He added that the people of Zamfara were hoping for her replacement, and their hopes were dashed by backtracking on appointment of Danfulani shortly after it was announced.

The group praised Yazid Danfulani for his grassroots connections and his role as a mobilizer. “Yazeed Danfulani is well known to be in touch with the grassroots people and a mobilizer par excellence,” Joji said. He highlighted Danfulani’s significant role in the 2023 presidential election, where he was a foot soldier for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “He played a significant role in the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and is capable of doing that with his large empire of political accolades,” Joji added.

Joji emphasized that Danfulani’s style and approach to humanity are incomparable to the current executive secretary. “You cannot compare his style and approaches to humanity with that of her, in all ramifications,” he asserted.

The group urged President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment, arguing that Danfulani’s leadership would better serve the interests of Zamfara State and its people. “We urge President Tinubu to reconsider the appointment of Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund,” Joji concluded.