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Governor Inuwa Yahaya Inaugurates Taskforce on Basic Education Revitalization

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Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has inaugurated a Taskforce on the Revitalization of Basic Education, with a mandate to develop practical and transformative strategies to strengthen foundational learning across the state.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony at the Government House, Governor Inuwa Yahaya charged the taskforce members to propose actionable measures that will improve basic education performance, address shortages of qualified teachers and tackle weak administrative structures, among other critical challenges.

The Governor recalled that upon assuming office in 2019, his administration declared a state of emergency in the education sector due to years of decay, poor planning and structural inadequacies.

He noted that, despite significant progress recorded since then, the state must push further to achieve excellence.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya pointed out some of the tangible achievements in the sector, including the dramatic improvement in WAEC performance from 22 percent to over 70 percent within six and a half years, describing it as evidence of his administration’s commitment to quality education.

He reiterated his resolve to ensure that students in Gombe continue to excel in both NECO and WAEC examinations.

On efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, the Governor explained that, through the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme and support from development partners, the state successfully enrolled over 450,000 children into various schools.

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He acknowledged the challenges posed by migration patterns, particularly with Gombe bearing the brunts in the middle of the North-East, but assured that government will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure that these children remain in school until completion.

Describing members of the taskforce as seasoned administrators and accomplished educationists, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said their appointment was based strictly on technical competence and professional merit, not political considerations.

He encouraged the committee to adopt innovative ideas and co-opt additional expertise where necessary to enrich their assignment and deliver a roadmap that will reposition basic education in the state. He warned against any bureaucratic bottlenecks that will hinder the work of the taskforce.

The Governor reiterated that his administration places utmost priority on basic education, healthcare, security and agriculture, noting that these sectors form the foundation of sustainable human development.

He revealed that the state government recently launched the disbursement of over 13.5 billion Naira under AGILE towards improving girl-child learning environments, N1.5 billion for scholarships to students, and an additional over 700 million naira disbursed as incentives to keep girls in school.

Responding on behalf of the taskforce, the Chairperson and Commissioner of Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari, assured the Governor that members of the committee will justify the confidence reposed in them by producing a revitalization blueprint that will serve as a model for other states.

She commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s courage and vision, stating, “It takes courage for a leader to invest six years of exemplary effort in education and still say, ‘Tell me what more I need to do.’”

Professor Maigari disclosed that Gombe was the first state to pay its UBEC counterpart funding for 2025, adding that the Minister of Education had recently commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his steadfast commitment to educational development.

“We assure you, Your Excellency, that we will diagnose the problems and challenges, assess the needs of the sector and proffer tailor made solutions that will be scalable, achievable, specific, realistic, time bound and transparent “.

The taskforce has the Commissioner for Education, Professor Aishatu Maigari as Chairperson, with Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, OON, Mr. Mataimaki Tom Maiyashi, Engr. Dr. Muhammad Nuru Yakubu, OON and Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Gombe as members.

The Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Esrom Toro Jokthan, serves as Secretary, while the Permanent Secretary, Special Services and Political, is Assistant Secretary.

 

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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