Politics

Kano State to Sponsor 1,002 Students for Overseas Studies, Strengthening Global Education Ties

Published

2 weeks ago

February 27, 2025

The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the next generation by announcing plans to sponsor 1,002 students for overseas studies in the upcoming year. This initiative builds on the success of last year’s sponsorship of 1,001 students, further cementing the state’s focus on expanding educational opportunities for its youth. The announcement came during a courtesy visit by the European Union Delegation ahead of the 2025 Study in Europe Fair, which will be hosted in Kano.

Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who made the announcement, described the initiative as a “bridge for creating a future where the youth of Kano could access world-class education and fully participate in the global knowledge economy.” This strategic move is part of a broader effort by the Kano State Government to position its youth for success on the global stage. Gwarzo further emphasized that education is a top priority for the administration, noting that the state had allocated the highest budget for education in Nigeria for 2024 and 2025.

In a state that has already made significant strides in various sectors, Gwarzo highlighted that the government had declared a state of emergency in education to ensure quality education for its citizens. He acknowledged that quality education is the key to equipping young people with the necessary skills to compete in a rapidly changing world.

During the visit, Gwarzo expressed gratitude to the European Union for its unwavering support and collaboration in the educational sector. He noted that the Study in Europe Fair is an excellent example of how international partnerships contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s educational system. The event serves as a platform for students and academic scholars in Kano to engage directly with European higher education institutions.

“We are looking forward to a successful event that will empower our youth, enhance educational exchanges, and contribute to the economic and social development of Kano, Nigeria, and West Africa,” Gwarzo said.

The 2025 Study in Europe Fair, scheduled for February 27, 2025, will bring European universities to Kano, providing students with valuable insights into study programs, scholarships, and opportunities to study abroad. Ambassador Gautier Mignot of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS led the delegation and spoke on the importance of fostering stronger educational ties between Europe and Kano. He stated that the fair would help to build new contacts, partnerships, and friendships, not only for students traveling to Europe but also for scholars from Europe who may visit Kano in the future.

Twenty representatives from universities across Europe will participate in the fair, many of whom are visiting Kano for the first time. The fair’s objective is to promote people-to-people connections and build long-lasting educational collaborations, strengthening the global education network and empowering students from both regions.

This educational collaboration is part of Kano’s broader vision to nurture human capital and expand its educational footprint. By sponsoring students for overseas studies, the state aims to expose young people to global academic standards, broadening their horizons and opening new doors for academic and professional opportunities.

Kano has long been a center of trade, culture, and education, and this new initiative, paired with the ongoing efforts to improve local education, solidifies the state’s role as a leader in educational development. The sponsorships are not just about sending students abroad—they are about cultivating the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to foster leadership, innovation, and progress.

In addition to sponsorship for studies, the Kano government’s educational reforms also include the introduction of modern teaching tools and methods that align with global educational standards. This investment in the future of Kano’s youth is expected to have lasting effects, not only on the local economy but on the broader region as students return with the expertise to drive development across various sectors.

Kano’s plan to sponsor 1,002 students for overseas studies is more than just an educational initiative; it is a strategic investment in the future of its youth. As the state continues to foster global educational partnerships, it is clear that its commitment to education will play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of leaders.

Politics

Lagos Assembly Crisis: ‘No plan to defect to Labour Party’ — Lawmakers

Published

3 days ago

March 11, 2025

Online Editor

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have denied allegations of defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party.

In a statement signed by Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, the Assembly members refuted rumors circulating online, claiming that 25 members were planning to leave APC for an unnamed political party. A similar claim surfaced recently, suggesting that 27 members were considering joining the Labour Party due to leadership disputes within the Assembly.

Ogundipe stated that these claims had been unequivocally refuted, with members expressing their unwavering commitment to APC and their confidence in resolving internal issues through established party mechanisms.

“To avoid any confusion, no APC member of the Lagos State House of Assembly is considering defection. As true progressives, we acknowledge that challenges may arise, but we remain committed to addressing them through democratic and lawful processes,” he said.

He added that the party leadership is fully engaged, and any outstanding issues would be resolved amicably. Ogundipe urged the public to disregard the baseless reports designed to mislead and create unnecessary tension.

“We reaffirm our loyalty to the leader of our party and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ogundipe concluded, emphasizing that the Lagos State House of Assembly would continue focusing on its legislative duties, enacting laws that promote the development of Lagos State.

Finally, he advised those spreading falsehoods to desist, reaffirming the Assembly’s dedication to its legislative mandate.

Politics

Atiku Abubakar Denies Plans to Leave PDP for New Political Party

Published

6 days ago

March 8, 2025

Online Editor

The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed reports suggesting that he is preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for another political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released in Abuja on Saturday, Atiku’s camp described the rumors as baseless and misleading.

“We have observed that some news platforms are peddling unverified information that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party,” the statement read.

The former vice president’s media team clarified that Atiku remains committed to the PDP and is actively working on forming a broad coalition to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

“Atiku is advocating a robust coalition that would accommodate all opposition parties – the PDP inclusive,” the statement added. “It is fallacious and unfounded to allege that the Waziri is jumping the PDP ship.”

The statement further emphasized that Atiku’s focus remains on uniting opposition forces to “rescue Nigeria from the grip of the APC.”

Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has been vocal about the need for a strong opposition alliance to counter what he describes as the failures of the current administration.

The media office urged Nigerians to disregard speculations about Atiku’s defection, reaffirming that he remains a committed member of the PDP.

Politics

Anambra guber: Concerns over PDP aspirants’ inability to pick forms

Published

1 week ago

March 7, 2025

Online Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially adopted the indirect primary method for selecting its candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra governorship election. This decision was announced by the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Bashiru stated that the decision aligns with the position of the Anambra State chapter of the APC. He also confirmed that the Abdullahi Ganduje-led NWC will meet with aspirants and stakeholders next Tuesday to finalize the modalities for the primary. Dismissing speculations that the party had already endorsed a preferred candidate, Bashiru emphasized that all seven aspirants remain in contention.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing concerns over its inability to attract aspirants for the Anambra governorship race. With the deadline for the sale of nomination forms fast approaching, no candidate has yet purchased the party’s N40 million expression of interest and nomination forms.

The PDP had recently expressed confidence in reclaiming Anambra, following a peaceful zonal congress in Enugu, where party leaders unanimously re-elected the Ali Odefa-led executive. However, reports indicate that high costs and internal crises within the party are discouraging aspirants.

With uncertainty surrounding the PDP, aspirants are now turning to alternative platforms such as the APC, Labour Party (LP), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for their governorship ambitions.

As the election race intensifies, political observers will be watching to see how the PDP resolves its internal challenges and whether the APC’s chosen primary process will unify or divide its ranks.