Headlines
Stop creation of new emirates to avoid tragic end–Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi warns Ganduje
By Nazifi Dawud
Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, a revered Islamic scholar and foremost spiritual leader of the Tijjaniya sect in Nigeria has warned Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to shelve plans to restore his four first-class emirates, which were dissolved by a Kano high court.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Ganduje had transmitted a new executive bill to the Kano State House of Assembly seeking to re-create the four controversial emirates in Rano, Gaya, Bichi and Karaye, after they were nullified by court.
On November 21, 2019 Justice Usman Na’abba had ruled that the Kano assembly did not follow due process in passing the law that established the additional emirates.
However, in a statement on Monday, Malam Muhammad Garba, the state commissioner for information, said the creation of the new emirates “was…informed by the need to bring traditional institution closer to the people in addition to facilitating speedy socio-economic development and security in the state.”
Mr Garba added that “some of these Emirate have even pre-dated Kano in ancient times, while the effort to revive them during the Second Republic was short-lived.”
The creation of the additional emirates is widely believed to be a ploy by Mr Ganduje to whittle down the influence of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II over perceived political differences.
‘Bad news’
But in an audio clip obtained by BBC Hausa, Sheikh Bauchi expressed dismay with Mr Ganduje’s decision to re-introduce a bill to restore the nullified emirates.
He advised the governor to shelve any plans to create additional emirates in the state in the interest of peace.
“As a leader of the Tijjaniya sect, I heard a bad news that Governor (Abdullahi) Ganduje is still trying to restore those emirates that have been dissolved by court. I heard he had asked members of the state assembly to give him the chance to restore the sacked emirates. So, I am begging Ganduje in the name of Allah and the Noble Prophet (Muhammad), to promote peace in Nigeria not only in Kano.
“All of us members of Tijjaniya in Nigeria are in support of the Kano Emirate and the Kano Emirate Council. Anything that affects the Kano Palace also affects us and we won’t allow it.
“I am therefore, drawing the governor’s attention to cancel his plans and accept the decision of the court which has restored Kano to the way it was for more than 1,000 years,” the cleric said.
‘Spiritually powerful’
“What is best for (Ganduje) is to be at peace with the people and stop attracting curses and calamitous prayers for himself. There are many of us in Tijjaniya and all of us not only in Nigeria are fully supporting the Kano Emirate because it brought Shehu Ibrahim Nyass to Nigeria and even Africa.
“We will never forget the good thing the Emirate did to us. So we are with them and we are against anyone that opposes them. I am drawing the Governor’s attention not to cause trouble and unrest for us. All Tijjaniya members are with the Emir of Kano (Muhammad Sanusi II). I am warning that whatever affects that Emirate affects us all and we will not allow it. Even though we are not strong physically but we have spiritual powers. So, I am calling on Ganduje to leave Kano alone the way he and his parents met it.
“The white man (colonialists) came and did his nonsense for 60 years but he never mutilated and dismembered Kano the way Ganduje is doing, the military also came and left Kano the way they met it, so he should also admonish himself and avoid trouble and leave Kano the way Allah allowed it to be for centuries,” the Islamic scholar warned.
‘Terrible idea’
“Dismembering Kano is a terrible idea, (Ganduje) should stay away from it to avoid terrible curses and evil prayers against his person by Tijjaniya followers. Even Shehu Dan Fodio and his children like Mohammad Bello and his brother Abdullahi had acknowledged that Kano is a blessed land.
“Shehu Ibrahim (Nyass) also said even though he had left Kano, but his mind was with Kano and he had repeatedly blessed Kano because his faithful followers were in Kano.
“So, I am repeating my advise to Ganduje, he should desist from dismembering and mutilating Kano and leave it alone the way he and his parents met it. He should concentrate on ending his public career peacefully without attracting evil prayers and terrible curses
“He should strive to have a peaceful end not a terrible one. I hope Governor Ganduje has heard this and would follow my advice,” Sheikh Bauchi added.
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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