Breaking: Kano Establishes State Committee for Implementing New National Minimum Wage

Kano State Governor, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated a State Advisory Committee on the New National Minimum Wage, just 48 hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the new N70,000 minimum wage as agreed with the organized Labour Union.

Kano is the first state nationwide to establish such a committee. The inauguration took place today at the State Government House and was conducted by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, on behalf of the Governor.

In a statement issued to the press, the Deputy Governor’s Spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, conveyed that Governor Yusuf emphasized the committee's responsibility to plan effectively for the newly approved minimum wage and to present a practical recommendation for the state government’s immediate implementation.

Governor Yusuf assured that the implementation of the new minimum wage would increase the development of Kano State across all sectors, as the welfare of workers is a government priority.

The committee has been tasked with delivering results within three weeks. The Governor reminded the committee members that their selection was based on merit and urged them to deliver convincing results.

The newly inaugurated Chairman of the Committee, Alh. Usman Bala Muhammad, Special Adviser to the Governor on State Affairs, expressed his gratitude to the State Government for its confidence in the committee. 

He noted that the exercise would significantly impact thousands of workers in both the private and public sectors by balancing the interests of employers, employees, and the public.

He assured that the committee would use thorough data analysis and consider all relevant factors to arrive at a sustainable minimum wage recommendation for the state government.

Members of the committee include:

- Alh. Usman Bala Muhammad, Special Adviser to the Governor on State Affairs (Chairman)

- Alh. Abdullahi Musa, state Head of the Civil Service 

-  Alh. Ibrahim Jibril Fagge, Hon. Commissioner of Finance

- Alh. Musa Suleman Shanono, Hon. Commissioner of Planning and Budget

- Baba Halilu Dantiye, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs

- Baffa Sani Gaya

- Prof. Aliyu Isa Aliyu

- Salahudeen Habib Isa

- Ibrahim I. Boyi

- Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara

- Mustapha Nuraddeen Muhammad

- Abdulkadir Abdussalam

- Umar Muhammad Jalo

- Hassan Salisu Kofar Mata

- Yahaya Umar

School Encroachment: Kano Ministerial Committee Visits Over 160 Schools, 42 Need Urgent Govt. Attention, 90 Need Wall Fencing

......As the Committee Submits its Report

Kano Ministerial Committee on Land Encroachment and Trespass in Schools has submitted it's final report after visiting over 160 affected public schools across the 44 Local Government Areas of the State.

It could be recalled that on 22nd February, 2024, 16-member committee on land encroachment and trespass in school was set up by the state to identify schools affected with problems of trespass or encroachment and examine their level in the vulnerable schools.

Presenting the final report of the committee findings to the Commissioner of Education today Friday, the Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Habib Hassan El-Yakub maintained that upon the inauguration of the committee, the members mobilised for the pursuit of the assignment by going round all the identified schools to access the level of trespass or encroachment.

In a statement signed by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry, Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru, said the Chairman disclosed that the committee had classified the schools visited in to three categories which include schools that have wall fence, schools that are requiring wall fencing as well as schools that need urgent government attention.

" The Hon Commissioner, I want to inform you that out of the 162 schools visited by the committee, 72 of them have wall fence, 90 of the schools need to have wall fence while 42 of them need urgent government attention to save them from the situation they found themselves.

" This committee had experienced a lot of challenges while discharging it's assigned responsibilities which can be attributed to some people attitudes towards land and how the immediate past administration allocated schools land to individuals rampantly " he explained.

Alhaji Habib Hassan revealed that the Committee had come out with general recommendations in line with it's findings for the benefit of other stakeholders within and outside the educational sector.

He expressed optimism that the administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf would put in to considerations the recommendation made by the committee in it's effort to improve learning environment in the state.

" We really thank the ministry for finding us worthy of the assignment and I believe His Excellency the Governor while receiving this report, is going to do what is possible to save our schools from the menace of land encroachment and trespass " the chairman disclosed.

Receiving the report today Friday in his office, the state commissioner of education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa assured full implementation of the report of the Ministerial Committee.

He said considering the composition of the right people involved in the committee, the members had done what is required from them by the given terms of references. 

Doguwa therefore commended the members for their good work and timely completion of the assignment which he described as sign of patriotism and commitment. 

The Commissioner however lamented that the menace of trespass and land encroachment in school had been undermining the progress of schools in the state, stressing that the present administration is taking serious measures to address the situation.

" I want to assure you that the present administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf is fully committed towards providing conducive learning environment for the future generations, and that what necessitated the setting of this committee which today presents it's report " said Doguwa.

" This administration is going to take rigorous decision to what is been submitted as report of the committee. Our doors will remain opened for any other advice or observations as regard to how we can collectively overcome the menace of schools encroachment " he stated.

Kano State Govt. Set Up Committee To Look Into Mass Failure In Qualifying Exam

Kano State Government has established a committee to investigate the mass failure in the recently concluded qualifying examinations for Senior Secondary Schools.

A statement signed by the Director Public Enlightenment Ministry of Education Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru explained that the committee's terms of reference include determining the extent of the examination failures, examining the causes of the mass failure, and assessing whether there was compliance with the established procedures for releasing the results. 

The statement added that the Committee will look into how the private students participate in the examination.

" It is also part of the Committee's responsibility to advise the government on whether to continue with the examination process or otherwise " said the statement.

According to the statement, the committee which has been given one week to submit its report, will be chaired by Alhaji Tajuddeen Gambo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education and former Commissioner of Education.

Other Members of the committee include the Executive Secretary, Kano State Senior Secondary School Management Board, Dr. Kabiru Ado Zakirai, the Executive Secretary, Private and Voluntary Schools Board, Alhaji Baba Umar, Special Adviser to the Governor on Students' Matters, Comrade Nura Iro Ma'aji, Director, Kano Educational Resources Department (KERD) Hajiya Rabi Inuwa Hussain, former Director, Kano Educational Resources Department Dr. Rabiu Mijinyawa, While Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Girl Child Education, Hajiya Hafsat Adahama will serve as Secretary.