Headlines
Group, led by Buhari’s aide, alleges fresh moves to depose Emir Sanusi II
By Nasiru Yusuf
A civil society group on the restoration and preservation of Kano heritage, the Renaissance Coalition said it has uncovered plans by Kano state government to transfer the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, to Bichi emirate in a bid to remove him from office.
The group, which was headed by the Special Assistant to President Muhammad Buhari on Political Affairs AbdurRahman Bappa Yola alleged that, the government has also arranged to depose the Emir if he resists directive to swap positions with Emir of Bichi Aminu Ado Bayero.
A statement sent to Kano Focus by the coalition’s spokesperson Ibrahim Wayya described the move as unfortunate, as there is a subsisting court ruling which ordered the maintenance of status quo pending pending the determination of the matter.
The statement added that “even the contentious law which was maliciously and hurriedly made, and is being challenged before the court, has not explicitly provided for such swap.”
It alleged that the move is a clear manifestation of extreme desperation on the part of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to advance a personal vendetta at the expense of the peace and well-being of the citizens he swore to protect.
The group called on Mr Ganduje to desist from implementing the alleged plot, which it said is capable of jeopardizing the relative peace enjoy in the State.
It also particularly called on the security agencies, political leaders, respected elders, Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the governor to desist from such act “that is likely to cause violent unrest in the polity.”
“We deem it our responsibility to do everything possible within our power to advocate for the peace and well-being of the citizens, by calling on all well meaning individuals and the Federal Government, to call the governor to order, to seize and desist from any further hostile action against the Kano emirate and the person of the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll.
“We believe in the adage better safe than sorry, we always want to be on the right path and the right side of history, expressing our objective opinions and engage relevant authorities for appropriate and timely action to prevent societal disasters. We decided not to wait and be reactive but to be proactive because of the perceived heavy toll the repercussions of the alleged action of the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, awaits the people of Kano, if the alleged plot is materialized and remains unchecked.
“Therefore, as responsible and concerned citizens, we strongly call on the governor to desist from going on with this alleged plot and such similar action, which is capable of jeopardizing the relative peace we enjoy in the State. We also particularly call on the security agencies, political leaders, the respected elders, venerated Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the Governor to desist from such act,” the group said.
The coalition however, threatened to call on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in Kano state as soon as Mr Ganduje makes the pronouncement of the alleged plot, in order to save Kano State from the consequences of the governor’s action.
The statement recalled how Kano became tense when a similar action was attempted against the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero in 1981, noting that if such action is attempted, “it may likely be the worst because of increased social and economic stress which are already keeping people on edge, ready to erupt as well as a much higher restless youth population in the State.”
“It is our prayer that, the Federal Government, must to do everything possible to prevail on the Governor to forestall the alleged plot of Swapping the Emir of Kano Mallam Muhammad Sanusi, to ensure that our dear State remains peaceful,” the statement concluded.
However, in a phone interview with Kano Focus, Abba Anwar, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, dismissed the claims, saying he was not aware of such moves.
“I heard it in town just like any other person,” he said.
The group had once called on the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, to intervene when the crisis first erupted between governor Mr Ganduje and Emir Sanusi over the creation of four additional emirates in Kano State.
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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