Headlines
Kano Emirate, Maja Sirdi disagree over sack
By Mukhtar Yahay Usman
Officials of the Kano Emirate Council and Maja Sirdin Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Auwalu Idi have disagreed after the latter claimed to have been sacked by the former following his celebration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s victory at the election petition tribunal.
Media reports on Sunday have claimed that the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II had ordered the sack of Mr Idi, for welcoming Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to Kano, following his victory at the election petition tribunal.
According to the report, Emir Sanusi was alleged to have asked Mr Idi to vacate his residence, located within the palace premises, which he has been occupying for more than 30 years.
Quoting sources, the news story further claimed that the monarch was angry with Maja Sirdi over his action, which he saw as an expression of “disloyalty”.
The report further asserted that Emir Sanusi had “warned against attending any government function which the Emir did not approve of.”
However, while Maja Sirdi insists that he has been removed from office and also asked to vacate his residence at Kofar Kwaru, the Chief of Staff to Emir Sanusi, Munir Sanusi has denied Mr Idi’s claim, saying the emirate only retrieved the keys to the royal stables from Maja Sirdi.
Speaking to Kano Focus, Mr Idi said he had been ordered by Shamakin Kano, Wada Jalo, on behalf of the emirate, to hand over the keys to the royal stables and to vacate his residence.
He said he was punished after he expressed support to Mr Ganduje, during a rally to celebrate the tribunal ruling affirming the victory of the governor.
“I attended the governor’s rally and even distributed water bottles to his supporters to show our happiness with Ganduje’s victory. I even decorated the governor with a robe at the event. But officials of the emirate council were not happy with my action and decided to punish me,” he said.
“After the rally, I was summoned by Shamaki, who asked me to go into the royal stables to count all the royal items inside them. After taking the inventory and finding everything intact, he demanded the keys to the stables and ordered me to vacate my residence immediately. I am now searching for a house before moving out,” he added.
But, Munir Sunusi, chief of staff to the Emir, denied the sacking of Maja Sirdi from his position.
He however, confirmed that the keys to the royal stables were retrieved from Maja Sirdi, after some saddles were stolen.
“I don’t know anything about claims of sacking Maja Sirdi. But we have retrieved keys from him after some of the Emir’s saddles were stolen. In fact, the Emir has nothing to do with this issue because Shamaki is the supervisor of Maja Sirdi and other courtiers.
“Shamaki took action because he had been receiving complaints about missing royal accessories for sometime. That is why he asked Maja Sirdi to handover his keys pending investigation. So, it does not make sense for anyone to claim that we sacked anybody just because he celebrated a governor,” he said.
“Nobody asked Maja Sirdi to leave his residence. He is still living in his house and still retains his position,” Mr Sunusi, who is also the Dan Majen Kano added.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Kano State Commissioner of Finance and renowned academic, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Governor Yusuf described the late Prof. Dandago as a dedicated public servant and accomplished scholar whose contributions to education and governance left lasting footprints in Kano State.
He noted that the former finance commissioner served the state with integrity and commitment and was widely respected for his professionalism, humility and passion for knowledge.
According to the governor, Kano State has lost a valuable son whose experience and wisdom greatly enriched both public service and the academic community.
Governor Yusuf extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the academic community and the people of Kano State over what he described as an irreparable loss.
He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the late Prof. Dandago, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
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