News
Kano Pilgrims Board ignores FOI request on Hadaya
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has refused to disclose the number of pilgrims who paid for the ritual Hadaya animal sacrifice through the board, a civil society organization says.
Kano Today reports that the organization, Independent Hajj Reporters, which monitors Hajj and Umrah has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the board.
The organization had also asked about the number of pilgrims who paid the Hadaya fees via Jaiz Bank as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Independent Hajj Reporters announced this in a statement signed by the national coordinator Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary Abubakar Mahmoud in Abuja on Friday.
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The statement said the letters were also sent to Kaduna, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Niger, FCT, and Yobe State Muslim Pilgrims Board.
“We sought the following information – the total registered number of 2019 hajj pilgrims; the total number of pilgrims that paid for Hadaya through Jaiz Bank and their names, contact numbers and registration numbers as well as the total number of pilgrims that paid through State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, their names and registration numbers”. The organization stated.
However, only Yobe and Kaduna states officially responded to the request as at the time of issuing the public statement.
The civil society organization said it is working with some anti- corruption agencies to monitor how the process of Hadaya will be conducted during the Hajj this year.
It also promises to make its findings public.
“We have concluded all necessary arrangements to ensure that we monitor how pilgrims conduct their Hadaya this year. We are also aware that some states have collected Hadaya money from pilgrims without issuing them a receipt.” It stated.
“These acts negate open transparency and we have begun to identify previous methods used to scam pilgrims by some dubious agents in collaboration with top state pilgrims’ boards’ officials,” the statement said.
It also recalled that NAHCON has approved Jaiz Bank as the only official Hadaya collector for 2019 hajj.
Headlines
UNICEF applauds Kano State for enacting Child Protection Law, calls for effective implementation
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF) has commended the Government and citizens of Kano State for the recent enactment of the Child Protection Law, signed into law by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commendation was contained in a statement issued by Samuel Kaalu UNICEF spokesperson in Kano.
The statement quoted Mr. Rahama R.M. Farah, Chief of UNICEF Field Office Kano, saying “The Kano State Child Protection Law is a remarkable achievement that benefits the children and people of Kano. It establishes a legal framework to ensure the protection of children’s rights within the state.
“Now that the law has been established, it is crucial to allocate the necessary resources and establish mechanisms for its effective implementation. We urge the new administration in Kano State to take this vital step and provide adequate resources to ensure the comprehensive enforcement of the law.
Mr. Farah added that with the enactment of this law, Kano State joins other states that have successfully incorporated the Nigeria Child Rights Act, originally enacted by the National Assembly in 2003, into their legal frameworks.
He said “It is important to note that this Act is derived from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), of which Nigeria is a signatory. Extensive consultations were conducted with key stakeholders, including faith-based and community leaders, during the development of the bill.
“This collaborative effort ensured that the law reflects the values and aspirations of the people of Kano.”
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Aminu Abdullahi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has implored the victims of the recent demolition exercise embarked upon by the Kano State government to seek legal redress while describing the action of the new NNPP administration as barbaric and unacceptable.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Ag. State Chairman of the opposition party, Shehu Maiagari made the condemnation while Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday at the NUJ Press Centre, Kano.
The politician condemned the spate of demolition of business interests and property across the state by the Governor, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“The action of the state government has brought unnecessary chaos, rampant vandalism, daylight robbery and grabbing of property belonging to innocent members of the Kano society” he lamented.
The opposition party insisted that the demolition has destroyed the means of livelihood of the people of the state while lamenting that it has equally tarnished the reputation of the state as a safe commercial centre for secured business investment.
The APC appealed to security agencies in the state to step up action and restore the people’s confidence in light of the shock they had experienced while imploring parents and guardians to caution their children against being used as agents of destruction by the state government.
“We assure the good people of the state of our prayers and support in this trying period; we also implore those affected directly or indirectly, to seek redress in the court of law,” they stated.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Alhaji Habu Muhammad Fagge as Executive Chairman, Kano State Pension Board Trustee.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment takes effect immediately as the governor directed for handing over and taking over within 24 hours.
A statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the governor Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said Alhaji Habu Fagge, a holder of Bsc Finance from Abraham Lincoln University, served two terms as Executive Chairman of Kano Internal Revenue Services.
The statement added that the new appointee had served Kano State as director finance, director planning, research and statistics and director other taxes.
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