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Opinion

What Double Ministers should do for Kano

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Hisham Habib

When PMB sent the names of his ministerial nominees to the senate for confirmation in July many were surprised and probably taken aback when the names of retired General Bashir Magashi and Alhaji Sabo Nanono were mentioned.

The unexpectedness in the nomination of the duo was coupled with issues in Kano about the major happenings in 2019 elections and its aftermath.

Most of the speculative Kano polity did not expect that, despite President Buhari’s resolve to appoint those he knew well.

Nevertheless the polity continued getting heated over what the two septuagenarians could for their constituency after getting hold of two strategic ministries of Defence and Agriculture respectively.

Nanono warns Agric workers against indiscipline

Magashi assumes office as Defence Minister

Ministerial Inauguration: Buhari assigns Defence, Agric to Kano

Challenges before Magashi

Gen Magashi’s antecedents qualified him for the Defence ministry even before the announcement. Being the only retired army general among the nominees, most Kano residents saw it coming.

Having been in the background after an unsuccessful attempt to govern his own state in the past, the lawyer who once served as legal adviser should be able to learn from the missteps of the former minister from Kano also a retired General Abdurrahman Dambazau who could not return to the next level, partly from his inability to relate with the people and spread the much coveted dividends of democracy to his immediate constituency.

The former General Officer commanding (GOC) who served during the military era of General Sani Abacha should be able to harmonize his task as overseer of the Defense mechanism in the country and his political career that has vividly come to its climax. His efforts must be doubled for him to earn the prestige of being a recognized elder even after his stint in the last lap of the administration.

Nanono must address youths restiveness

For Muhammad Sabo Nanono, the challenge is much higher owing to the fact that Kano is renowned for agricultural potentials yet untapped.

This is an opportunity for the experienced banker to address the issue of youth restiveness through agriculture.

As the most populous state in the country the rate of unemployment has consistently been high and the most ready way of curbing the issue is through agriculture.

Being in the system the new minister is expected as in the words of a Kano based analyst Bashir Gentile “to use his best of ability in delivering the fruits to the society”.

Nanono’s task among others is to bring to the northern parts and Kano its own share of rural development through his office and to ensure that stakeholders are carried along while monitoring with extra concern the work of all representatives in the various sectors.

Immediate intervention

These ministers must know that the people of Kano are watchful as ever for the expected remedies; the voters who came out en masse and consistently voted for President Buhari have their eyes open for a collective transformation of the society not selective adventurism.

Areas needing immediate intervention must be on their priority and as influential office holders the need to work with the state government in fielding out tangible developmental work in areas of human resource utilization is paramount.

It is pertinent to note being themselves Buhari’s personal choice and not directly products of state godfatherism, they  must bear in mind that unnecessary political distractions should be minimized to  allow for the desirable intervention that will check the unabated hardship the Kano people are into especially in the rural areas where  the basic amenities are scarce.

Kano governorship tribunal orders arrest of INEC witness attackers

They must be able to have a collective platform where they can harmonize all efforts to uplift Kano and restore as well as strengthen its dignity as the northern capital of commerce and leadership.

They should also avoid the hosting of sycophants who will block them from realizing the challenges before them until it is too late to cry over spilt milk.

The desired collective platform should not be maneuvered by self-centered opportunists who will undermine all positive efforts to make the society a  better place.

Hisham Habib, journalist and public commentator writes from Kano.

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Opinion

Kano bags National Council on Education award

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Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR

Kano state has been awarded best state in Nigeria by the National Council on Education (NCE) for its outstanding performance for submitting its report based on national policy.

Kano state government delegation led by state commissioner of Education Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa received the award at the 68th NCE’s meeting held in Abuja.

Doguwa who received the award on behalf of the state government said it is a prestigious award for Kano being the most outstanding state in reporting based on national policy compliance.

This outstanding recognition is borne out of the State government’s commitment and the determination of his excellency the executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf to prioritise education, having met the sector in disarray.

The government’s Commitment to provide high-quality education in the State through its reforms and partnership, has led to his excellency’s serious reforms within just one year of his administration.Ths include the review of the state 60 years old Kano state education law and 5 other obsolete education policies.

The event was passionately graced by the Minister of Education, Mal. Tahir Mamman and the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu. The permanent secretary FME, 36 state commissioners of education and captains of the industry.

The award highlights Kano State’s dedication to aligning its education policies with national standards. Through an update report of policy Implementation on which the state government received the award.

The administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has made an impactful significant stride in education and human capital development, by recognizing education as the backbone of the society.

The governor has already declared a state of emergency in the education sector and convened a multi billion naira recovery stimulus conference (education recovery conference) in which strategy is drawn for robust sector reform in collaboration with PLANE Nigeria and AREWA consultative forum

The ministry of education according to Doguwa is committed to continuing this excellent work, ensuring that pupils and students in the state receive the best possible education to thrive in their future endeavors.

Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri, ANIPR,
is a Director Monitoring and Evaluation,
Ministry of Education,
Kano State.

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Opinion

FG, Tinubu and Daily Trust’s faux pas on Samoa Agreement

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By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

 

On Wednesday, October 2, the Daily Trust newspaper came out with the long overdue public apology to the Federal Government over its erroneous reporting of July 4, 2024, on the Samoa Agreement. It was a needful closure to a touchy controversy. It is a commendable gesture on part of the Media Trust management. It is not everyone that has the humility to admit wrongdoing. This has now settled the matter and brought to rubbles the scornful allegations contained in the story under reference.

The watery lead story of July 4, 2024 alleged that the Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government (among other nations that constitute the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, also known as OACPS) with the European Union (EU) contained clauses that promote LGBTQ rights. To make it more salacious the story linked it to an imaginary $150 billion in benefits. Astonishingly, there is nowhere in the story evidence was provided to support both claims. There couldn’t have been as neither LGBTQ (or anything close to it) nor $150 billion was mentioned anywhere in the bulky multilateral document.

In its apology, Daily Trust said it agreed wholly with the verdict passed by the independent panel constituted by the Nigerian Media Complaint Commission (NMCC). The panel’s report released on September 23, 2024, following interrogation of the Federal Government’s complaint, was unequivocal. “The NMCC finds that the 403-page Samoa Agreement does not contain any clause that compels underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition as a condition for getting financial and other supports from advanced nations. Indeed, there is no reference whatsoever in the agreement to the issue of LGBTQ.”

I was appalled by the story first as a professional, before anything else. My social media post on the day it was published harped on its lack of the rudimentary journalistic requirement, viz. evidence. It was a comment I could have made even if I were not in government. Frankly, it is still a wonder how that story passed the crucible of the Trust newsroom, where I had worked and knew the editorial rigour.

Expectedly, the story whipped up tempers. Tongues were set wagging, mostly in one direction and, because the story came from a medium trusted for its journalism, everyone –except for discerning professionals–took it to be the gospel truth. Fortunately, or not, the story came out on Thursday. For its socio-religious sensitivity, it instantly became the main topic of discussion everywhere, especially in the Muslim North. Our dear imams were enraged. I don’t blame them because, again, the story came from Trust!

As if the anger wasn’t enough, some opposition figures followed the fire with more tinder. They went about mobilizing some religious leaders overnight to come out hard on the government. The next day most of the imams went to the minbar writhing with anger armed only with the wrong information. They poured out invectives at a government they supported but which was now “courting calamity greater than the economic hardship” on its people, as one of them put it. President Tinubu, the administration and all of us working with it were anathematised for “selling out the country to promoters of LGBTQ”. There was nothing the government couldn’t do for money, it was said. The congregants left the mosques angrier.

In the ensuing days, professionals and media organisations, some of them known to be very critical of the current administration, came out to fault the reporting as lacking in merit. Those who gave outright verdicts against the Daily Trust story either through fact-checks or analyses include the BBC, PREMIUM TIMES, The Punch, Prof Farooq Kperogi, a Daily Trust columnist – Dr Suleiman A. Suleiman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others. The expectation was for a clear and immediate retraction, as it was clear that the paper got it wrong. Bouyed by the emotional sermons and partisan support from some quarters, the paper held on despite acknowledging “lapses in our reporting”.

In the wake of the controversy, we went through great pains trying to explain why there was no wolf around the Samoa Agreement as the drafters of the Daily Trust story wanted Nigerians to believe. I asked: In what ways had the agreement altered provisions of the Nigerian laws on LGBTQ? What are the practical implications that indicate support? I got accursed, rather than answers. It was painful to see almost everyone, especially up North turn their back against reason choosing to go with the contorted story that failed to quote even a line from the agreement to support its claims.

Exasperating as it was, I don’t blame the clergy and the larger public for the harsh judgement. The blame lies squarely on the doorstep of Trust. And this is the purpose of this post-mortem piece. Journalistic powers are akin to those of a soldier with a gun. Releasing the trigger in the wrong direction could kill or maim the innocent, and no amount of apology or even reprimand of the culprit could cure the loss suffered by the innocent. This is why the old principle that says “if you’re in doubt, leave it out” is evergreen for journalism practice. As professionals, we know pretty well that rebuttal or retraction can never attain the mileage of the original. There are still multitudes out there that will not change opinions formed from the first story.

It is for this reason that responsible journalism is non-negotiable because as the great old Philip L. Graham, publisher of The Washington Post once said, “Journalism is the first rough draft of history.” That rough draft often has a way of sticking even if subsequent events invalidate its premise.

Yes, accountability journalism is a sine qua non for healthy democracy. However, as the legal maxim goes, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Accountability journalism is not a byword for stone-throwing because when all you do is throw stones you end up causing more harm than good. We must, at all times, ensure the sanctity of truth, fairness, and public good. As the celebrated American war reporter, Edward R. Murrow said, “[T]o be credible we must be truthful.”

As close with the bon mot from the grand Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, while admonishing the founding team of the New Nigerian Newspapers; “Tell the truth about us, tell us the truth about others”. We ask for no more.

Abdulaziz is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Print Media.

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Opinion

No Smoke Without Fire: Urgent Action Needed to Address FIRS’ Reckless Disruption of Healthcare in Kano

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An open letter to the presidency

There’s no smoke without fire” …Prompt action must be taken hook, line and sinker immediately.

Assalamu Alaikum, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.

To President Tinubu, Hon. Minister of Health, Stakeholders and all Health Practitioners of Nigeria.

I am bitterly compelled to write to you today regarding a disturbing incident that transpired at Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano city.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) actions at this private hospital have demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life.

Patients and parents have reported to Alfijir Newspaper that operatives of FIRS with officials, armed with guns, stormed the hospital, threatening and forcing them to vacate the premises.

The general plebeians already vulnerable due to illness, were left to wander the streets of Kano in search of alternative healthcare, only to find that many medical facilities were unavailable due to an ongoing doctors’ strike.

It is unacceptable that the FIRS dispute with the hospital should infringe upon citizens’ right to healthcare.

This conflict affects not only the hospital but the people who seek medical attention.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital is renowned for its philanthropic efforts and commitment to providing quality healthcare to the most vulnerable members of our society.

The hospital’s management has consistently demonstrated compassion and empathy, offering free medical services to those who cannot afford them.

Their selflessness has saved countless lives and alleviated suffering.

The hospital’s community outreach programs have provided vital healthcare services to rural areas, addressing pressing health concerns such as maternal and child mortality.

Their collaboration with local organizations has facilitated health education, disease prevention, and awareness campaigns.

Moreover, Best Choice Specialist Hospital has been at the forefront of disaster response, providing emergency medical care during times of crisis.

Their staff’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in saving lives and mitigating the impact of devastating events.

We urge the leaders of our great nation and the Human Rights Commission to take immediate action against this abuse of power.

Furthermore, We also implore the FIRS to reconsider their approach, recognizing that their rights do not supersede those of others.

“If your own children were in need of medical care, would you not prioritize their well-being above all else?”

Solemnly we request all the stakeholders to intervene to prevent future incidents and ensure the hospital can continue its lifesaving work.

We await your prompt response and resolution on to this critical matter.

Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief, Alfijir Online Newspaper.

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