On Saturday, the Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation, under the chairmanship of Dr. Habibu Usman Abdu, inaugurated the support of a 20 thousand Naira stipend each to students who are indigenes of Bichi. The event was held at FCE T Bichi.

It’s a tradition maintained by Rep Abubakar Kabir Abubakar to support indigent students from Bichi when they return to boarding school during every term and after vacation.

In his remarks during the occasion, Rep Abubakar Kabir Abubakar urged the students to dedicate themselves to their studies and pledged to continue helping them.

Abubakar Kabir Abubakar said very soon he will renovate 8 secondary schools in his constituency and pledged to sponsor indigenes of the area, mostly women, to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for their tertiary education.

“Our aim is to ensure we get more engineers and doctors, and the renovation of the schools is to make sure students and pupils are not sitting on the floor. We don’t want to see any roof wiped out from classes, and the hostels renovated because the dignity of students is to make sure they sleep comfortably,” said Rep Bichi.

Rep Bichi said the federal government has also allocated over 1.5 billion for the renovation of Dawakin Tofa Science College and GSS Bichi will also be renovated. He noted that Dan Cin Cin Secondary School is also included.

Rep Bichi added that Hagagawa Primary School will be reconstructed in such a way that it will compete with all the private schools where sons of politicians are attending. He noted that six more primary schools will also be renovated, including Chiranchi and Sabonlayi. “We don’t want to play politics with education; that is why we are inviting all and sundry to come and help us in uplifting education in the state,” he said.

According to him, apart from 106 teachers manning schools in the area, they have employed 200 more teachers in Bichi, and their screening will soon start. “We are doing this because we have a scarcity of teachers,” he added.

He also thanked members of the committee for the disbursement of scholarships and their dedication to education.

The conglomeration of students, which included both male and female, thanked Rep Abubakar Kabir Abubakar for the gesture.

In the wake of the ongoing Fadan Daba crisis affecting Kofar Mata and surrounding communities, the Girls Gate Initiative organized a groundbreaking Townhall Meeting to address pressing peace and security issues. Themed “The Role of Women in Promoting Peace and Security in Our Communities,” the event brought together community stakeholders, religious leaders, and experts in conflict resolution to deliberate on actionable solutions for fostering lasting harmony.

The Executive Director of Girls Gate Initiative, Amb. Huzaifa Jamil Kofar Mata emphasized the urgent need for community-driven solutions during his opening remarks. He stated, “This meeting is not just a conversation; it’s a call to action. The safety of our children, the survival of our businesses, and the peace in our neighbourhoods depend on what we do today as a collective.”

Amb. Huzaifa Jamil Kofar Mata

Key Stakeholders and Speakers
The event saw the participation of notable community leaders, including Mai Unguwar Kofar Mata, Alhaji Muhammad Jibril Kofar Mata, Mai Unguwar Zango, Mai Unguwar Zage, and Mai Unguwar Dorayi. Religious leaders from various sects also graced the occasion, highlighting the importance of faith-based approaches in resolving conflicts.

The distinguished lineup of speakers featured:

Detective Auwal Durimin Iya, expert in community policing and security strategies.

CSC Aisha Muhammad Yakasai, Divisional Officer of NSCDC Nassarawa LGA, who addressed the role of women in security enforcement.

Hajia Maryam Muhammad, a representative of Equal Access International, who provided insights into grassroots peace initiatives.

Amb. Maryam Sani Ibrahim, an expert on peace and conflict resolution, who outlined strategies for community resilience.

A highlight of the event was the panel session titled “Ina Mafita?” (Where is the Solution?), moderated by Umar Aminu Umar of Girls Gate Initiative. The panel encouraged attendees to propose practical solutions and reinforced the role of collective responsibility in overcoming challenges.

Kano State Police Command Busts Female-Led Syndicate of Thieves, Arrests Five Suspects

Impact and Takeaways
During the discussions, the speakers and participants highlighted the detrimental effects of the ongoing crisis, which has led to the closure of over ten schools and disrupted the livelihoods of many residents. The meeting also shed light on how the instability has hindered the safety of customers and traders in major markets like Kwari, Kofar Wambai, and Singer.

Community stakeholders reiterated the importance of rebuilding trust among residents and fostering collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Mai Unguwar Kofar Mata Alhaji Muhammad Jibril, remarked, “Our communities must come together, united by the desire for peace. It is our collective effort that will bring stability to this region.”

A Vision for Peace
The Townhall Meeting concluded with actionable commitments from community leaders, law enforcement representatives, and attendees. It was a resounding success, not only for initiating critical discussions but also for laying the groundwork for sustainable peace.

Amb. Huzaifa Jamil Kofar Mata expressed his gratitude to all participants and reaffirmed the Girls Gate Initiative’s dedication to creating safe and thriving communities. He said, “Peace is not just the absence of violence; it is the presence of justice, harmony, and opportunity. Together, we will rebuild and restore our neighbourhoods.”

As Kano State grapples with its challenges, the Girls Gate Initiative is steadfast in its mission to empower communities, promote dialogue, and champion the role of women in peacebuilding.

“Peace begins when communities unite for a common goal.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a series of strategic appointments aimed at strengthening his administration’s delivery of good governance.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments, which take immediate effect, include Hon. Ahmad Muhammad Speaker as Special Adviser on Publicity.

Hon. Ahmad brings a wealth of experience, having served three terms as Chairman of Dawakin Tofa Local Government and as the former APC State Organizing Secretary.

The Governor also named Engr. Ahmad as Special Adviser on Works, signaling a renewed focus on infrastructure development.

Additionally, Malam Sani Abdullahi Tofa was appointed Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties.

A highly respected figure, Malam Sani Tofa has served as a Khadi of the Sharia Court in Kano and Abuja, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Kano State Civil Service, and a former Director General of the Kano State Shari’a Commission.

Similarly, the Governor also appointed Hon. Ibrahim Jibrin Fagge as Chairman, Local Government Service Commission and Hajia Ladidi Ibrahim Garko as Chairman, Kano State Civil Service Commission.

The two appointees were the immediate past Commissioners of Finance and Tourism respectively.

The statement further revealed that the Governor has scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for Monday, 6th January 2025 at 11:00 AM in the Ante-Chamber of the Kano Government House.

The ceremony will also include the inauguration of seven commissioner nominees recently screened by the Kano State House of Assembly, as well as all newly appointed Special Advisers.

These appointments underscore Governor Yusuf’s commitment to assembling a competent team to drive the state’s development agenda.