Headlines
Why we support New Kano Emirates
Usman Suleiman Sarki Madobi
Creation of new Emirates is not a new phenomenon in the history of Nigeria specifically in this democratic dispensation.
Emirates played and continue to play important roles in facilitating human-capital, infrastructural, socio-economic and educational developments in their respective Emirates.
In addition to development, Emirates give their people unique identity, attachment and a sense of belonging that makes them share their feelings in times of joy and sorrows.
Emirates in our society are symbols of unity and strength that give people opportunities to decide and determine what they want and how to approach pressing issues that need urgent attentions of all.
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Wherever there are multiple Emirates they tend to stimulate collaboration and cooperation to design what they want to achieve or face government or organizations with a common resolution on matters that affect their people to find lasting solution or deal with common problems.
Jigawa as a role model
Before the creation of Jigawa state there were multiple Emirates in Kano state which continue to develop and coexist with Kano Emirate but Kano enjoyed certain privileges that gave it advantages over others.
However, after the creation of Jigawa state the only Emirate that remains for Kano State succeeded in making Kano a single city where development programmes of the State and the Emirate were concentrated in the state capital which is the seat of the Emirate.
If we look at the Emirates carved from Kano that formed the present Jigawa state, each and every Emirate is developing hand-in-hand with the others where cooperation not competition is the cardinal principle in their coexistence.
Jigawa is not as big as Kano but has more prospective towns/cities compared with the big Kano due to the presence of different Emirates.
Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure and Ringim are all fast developing cities of the state that coexist harmoniously with the Dutse Emirate that happened to be in the state capital.
More emirates; more development
Emirate headquarters play a vital role in bringing people together to discuss their peculiar needs and problems from educational, employment and infrastructural needs and challenges.
If we look at other states such as Bauchi, Yobe, Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna they all have many Emirates in their respective states. Those Emirates never constitute threats to each other or impediments to the state’s development.
The recent creation of four additional Emirates (Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano) is a welcome development which the people of these Emirates embraced with joy and happiness because they were brought closer to their Emirates to have direct access to their Emirs and have their listening ears at any time they wanted.
Recently, the former Governor of Kaduna State Ahmed Muhammad Makarfi created additional Emirates that led to the fragmentation of the big Emirates in the state, but instead of resisting the government, the people of the big Emirate displayed maturity of the highest order by accepting it as a development without challenging the constitutional powers of the state House of Assembly to validly make laws for the state within the territorial boundaries of the state and that of the Governor to execute the law.
Why only in Kano?
However, instead of accepting the governments’ decision of creating the new Emirates with good faith some VERY FEW people of the Kano Emirate instigated a legal action challenging the constitutional powers of the Kano State House of Assembly to make laws within its legislative competence and the Governor to execute same within his executive powers vested in him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
Creation of additional Emirates has never constituted a threat to the development and well-being of people in other states of the federation why only in Kano such fears were expressed where it does not exist?
Now I came to appreciate the wisdom of former CJN Justice Dahiru Musdherper who mandated lawyers and judges to undertake extensive sociological courses in order to understand how the society works in promoting peaceful coexistence in the society more especially in a typical homogenous society like ours.
In view of this, we the Concerned People of the four New Emirates are solidly behind the Government and support our Emirs who always give us unrestricted access and listening ears without prolonged protocols and we urge the government to take the matter up for the continuous existence and sustenance of these new Emirates.
I finally pray that the Almighty Allah will continue to guide, protect and support the current administration under the able leadership of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and his Deputy Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
Usman Madobi is the chairman New Emirates Support Forum (NESF), Kano State
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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