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Exclusive: How Kano Govt. Withdraws Accreditation of 14 Journalists Covering Government House

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The Kano state government’s sudden withdrawal of accreditation for 14 journalists covering the Government House has raised questions about its commitment to media freedom and sparked speculation about the reasons behind this decision.

Investigation by the Nigerian Tracker revealed that the relationship between the Government House press crew and state officials has been strained since the coming of Abba Kabir Yusuf as the governor of Kano state, with challenges ranging from poor working conditions, lack of welfare, motivation and ongoing tensions with security personnel.

Journalists reported several incidents where government officials, including the governor’s aides and security team, limited their access to governor’s activities.

Two incidents that occurred recently are seen as the reason behind the journalists withdrawal.

First incident was during the governor’s recent visit to Jigawa State.

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Journalists accompanying him were denied entry to the venue where governor Yusuf was meeting with the Jigawa governor, with security citing limited space as the reason.

Although they were assured they would be allowed in to cover his speech, the meeting concluded without them covering the event.

The journalists voiced out their worry immediately.

When they returned to Kano, they sought to address the issue with the governor. As he briefly gave them audience, but no solution was provided immediately.

Nigerian Tracker gathered that another incident involving the journalists reportedly took place during an official visit by the Bauchi State Governor to Kano. Aliyu Yusuf, the Director of Public Enlightenment at the Government House led the journalists to meet the Bauchi state governor at his lodge in Kano.

Upon arrival, they learned that Kano state deputy governor Aminu Abdussalam, was there with his team. Deputy Governor’s Press Crew expressed displeasure with the presence of the media team covering the governor’s office. Knowing that the governor himself was not there.

Tensions escalated when the Deputy Governor’s Aide called the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Wada Sagagi and informed him.

The Chief of Staff sent a Governor’s Aide who had reportedly clashed with the press on multiple occasions to the scene, and he reported back to the Chief of Staff, to the hearing of the Governor eventually.

The internal political power dynamics may have influenced the decision to revoke the journalists’ accreditation.

The struggle reportedly involves the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Commissioner for Information Baba Halilu Dantiye, and the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.

The DG Media, close to Governor Yusuf, has held significant sway over government publicity, often sidelining the Commissioner for Information.

The Chief of Staff, meanwhile, has been a vocal critic of the DG’s handling of the press and accused the Government House journalists of lacking competence.

Some insiders believe the decision to remove these journalists may be an attempt to diminish the DG Media’s influence by targeting his loyal media representatives.

Observers note that the move could signal an ongoing effort to reassign responsibilities within the governor’s communication team.

As journalists now face an uncertain future in covering Government House, questions asked are about the impact of these developments on transparency and media relations within Kano state’s political landscape.

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Governor Yusuf Pays Over 3 Billion for Secondary School Students to Sit for NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS

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The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expended over 3 billion naira for 141,175 (one hundred and forty-one thousand, one hundred and seventy-five) Kano students who passed the 2024 qualifying examinations to sit for this year’s WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS (2025).

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, it was noted that the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, announced to newsmen in Kano that the State Ministry of Education had released the results of the qualifying examinations for secondary school students in Kano.

These students are studying under the Kano State Teachers Service Board and the Science and Technical Schools Board, where 75 percent of them qualified to write the senior school certificate examinations of WAEC, NABTEB, NECO, and NBAIS (for Arabic students).

Ali Haruna Makoda stated that the students eligible for payment by the Kano State Government under Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf are those who scored five credits and above.

The Commissioner maintained that all secondary school principals and directors should notify their students of their results so that the state government can effect the payment.

The 2025 qualifying exams for WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB will enable the students to sit for their 2025 examinations required for admission into tertiary education.

Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to Governor Yusuf on Information, said that since the inception of the administration in May 2023, it has settled registration fees for Kano indigent students for WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS.

The Special Adviser pointed out that apart from settling the fees, Governor Yusuf’s administration has also paid huge outstanding debts for WAEC, NECO, and NABTEB left behind by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s administration.

He also said it is part of Governor Yusuf’s declaration of a state of emergency on education and an effort to mitigate the high number of out-of-school children that have bedeviled the state.

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NWDC Cancels Foreign Scholarship Scheme, Backs FG’s Local Education Policy

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The North West Development Commission (NWDC) has announced the cancellation of its foreign scholarship application process in response to a new policy directive from the Federal Government prioritizing local education.

In a statement issued by the NWDC management on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the commission confirmed that the cancellation is in line with a recent federal directive urging public institutions to focus on strengthening educational capacity within Nigeria.

“This decision follows the Federal Government’s announcement on May 7, 2025,” the statement read. “We are fully committed to aligning our programs and initiatives with national priorities, especially those aimed at promoting local content and indigenous capacity building.”

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The Federal Government’s directive was conveyed through a press statement signed by Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education. The statement emphasized the need to redirect resources towards improving domestic institutions and ensuring more Nigerians have access to quality education at home.

“The policy is designed to reduce reliance on foreign academic systems and bolster Nigeria’s educational sector by investing in local universities and training institutions,” Mrs. Folasade said in the official release.

The NWDC reiterated its support for this policy, noting that it will explore new avenues to support educational and human capital development within the region. “The commission will provide updates on further opportunities and programs in due course,” the NWDC statement concluded.

The move is expected to impact hundreds of applicants who had hoped to pursue studies abroad under the commission’s sponsorship but may now need to consider domestic options supported by the commission in future initiatives.

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Erosion Control :Governor Yusuf Disburses Over N600 Million Compensation

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has disbursed over N600 million to residents of Bulbula and Gayawa who were affected by the ongoing Erosion Control Project.

A statement released on Thursday by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said that the disbursement was organized by the Kano State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (Kano-ACReSAL), under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. The event took place at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano.

According to the statement, the project involves the construction of reinforced concrete channels, bioremediation buffers, and other robust erosion control infrastructure.

This initiative aims to reclaim degraded land and restore safety to the affected areas. It is being executed through a collaboration between the state and federal governments, with support from the World Bank.

The statement further elaborated that the project will also strengthen surveillance through the engagement of community vigilantes and the installation of solar streetlights to deter criminal activity that had previously thrived in the abandoned gully area.

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In his address, Governor Yusuf stated:
“Today marks a significant step forward in our collective journey to restore dignity, security, and prosperity to the communities of Bulbula and Gayawa.”

He continued:
“I am deeply honored to be here to personally present compensation cheques to the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Bulbula-Gayawa Erosion Control Project in Nasarawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas.”

The Governor urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds, emphasizing:
“Every cheque presented today is a message that the government of Abba Gida-Gida stands with its people, especially during times of hardship and displacement.”

“The compensation being disbursed today is based on thorough enumeration, community engagement, and due diligence. Our approach ensures that every affected citizen is recognized, documented, and fairly treated in accordance with global best practices,” he assured.

Governor Yusuf lamented that:
“The Bulbula-Gayawa erosion menace has brought untold hardship to many. It has claimed farmlands, damaged homes, displaced families, and turned once-thriving neighborhoods into unsafe zones.”

The Governor pledged his administration’s continued support throughout the project’s lifecycle, reiterating that no community would be left behind in the development process.

Governor Yusuf expressed his appreciation to the implementation team under the ACReSAL Project, traditional rulers, community representatives, and relevant stakeholders for their transparency, professionalism, and relentless efforts in ensuring the successful compensation exercise.

 

Some beneficiaries, Jibril Abdullahi Jibril and Fatima Haruna, expressed their gratitude to the state government for the intervention. They recalled years of advocating for the project, which had been unsuccessful until the present administration took action.

 

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