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Senate Passes Barau’s Bill to Provide Legal Framework for Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano

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The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin (APC, Kano North), to provide a legal framework for the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, Kano State.

The bill was passed during plenary presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON. It seeks to provide the statutory foundation for the effective management and administration of the institution.

Recall that in September 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the conversion of the Federal Colleges of Education in Kano and Zaria into federal universities of education.

Following Senator Barau’s request on behalf of the people of Kano, President Tinubu, on May 10, 2025, also approved the renaming of the institution as the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

To give the institution a legal framework, Senator Barau sponsored the bill, which passed through the legislative process and was approved by the Senate for second and third readings. The bill scaled first reading on Wednesday, March 25, 2025.

While leading the debate on the bill, Senator Barau said the legislation was necessary to give legal backing to the institution.

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He commended President Tinubu for approving the institution’s upgrade and renaming, explaining that the bill would provide a legal framework for the promotion and development of teacher education and make comprehensive provisions for the university’s management and administration.

He said: “Mr Senate President, this institution has already been established by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“You may recall, my colleagues, that in the last Senate, I made efforts to facilitate the establishment of these institutions, including the Federal College of Education, Zaria, which was to be upgraded to a full-fledged university, as well as Alvan Ikoku College of Education and Adeyemi College of Education. The bills were passed and transmitted to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, but they were not assented to.

“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, I approached him and conveyed the desire of my people to have the Federal College of Education, Kano, upgraded to a full-fledged university. He assured me that, since it was the request of the people, it would be done. The President subsequently approved the upgrade of the institution.

“But we were not done yet. At the request of my people, I returned to the President to seek approval for the institution to be named after the late Yusuf Maitama Sule. The President immediately approved the request. Today, the institution is a full-fledged university offering degrees in various fields of education.

” We cannot thank Mr President enough. He loves Kano and has consistently acceded to our requests. Beyond this institution, he has also approved the establishment of the Federal University of Science and Technology in Kabo and the Federal Polytechnic in Rano. We cannot thank him enough for these interventions.”

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Barau for sponsoring the bill and thanked senators for supporting its swift passage.

He expressed optimism that President Tinubu would assent to the bill upon its transmission to him, thereby providing the university with the necessary statutory and regulatory framework to fulfil its mandate and continue contributing to national development.

Signed:
Ismail Mudashir
Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate
(Media and Publicity)
October 13, 2026

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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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