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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
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education in collaboration with BETA Nigeria has awarded Zainab Ibrahim Bukar, a content creator, the sum of ₦100,000 for her outstanding content on the state of education in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that Miss Bukar emerged as the winner of the competition by creating engaging content that highlighted allocation of 31% of Kano State’s budget to education.
Another contestant received ₦50,000 for creating compelling short content that shed light on the challenges facing education in Kano.
Abdulsalam Badamasi, Program Lead of Beta Nigeria Coalition, urged other social media users to leverage their phones to create content that promotes primary education in Nigeria.
He made this call during the two-day Capacity Building and breakfast meeting designed for media and social influencers.
The event aimed to equip participants with skills in education-focused reporting and content creation while fostering collaborations to amplify educational priorities.
Dr. Auwal Halilu emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackle the challenges facing education in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of creating content that influences government policies on education, rather than sharing insignificant content on social media.
Dr. Halilu also highlighted the need for NGOs, media, and government to collaborate in providing credible information about the state of education and potential solutions.
Miss Bukar, the competition winner, attributed her success to her passion for content creation.
She expressed gratitude to the organizers, particularly the Beta Nigeria Coalition.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The newly appointed Secretary to the State Government of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim has assumed office on Monday.
KANO FOCUS reports that his arrival ignited jubilations and enthusiastic reception by entire staff of the Cabinet Office.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS on Monday by information officer cabinet office, Musa Tanko said some associates as well as other well wishers assembled at the cabinet office to welcome the new SSG.
The statement added that the staff described Ibrahim’s appointment as a homecoming, owing to the fact that he had served in the office in different capacities.
Receiving the SSG on behalf of the Cabinet Office community, the Permanent Secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA) Directorate, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Jalo, expressed delight for the appointment and stated that the choice of Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim was a welcome development and highly befitting.
He further stated that, the SSG knows the terrain of the job very well and expressed hope that Kano State is heading towards positive turn around at the state engine room and bringing the divident of democracy to the general public.
In a similar development, members of the Payroll Standing Committee led by their Deputy Chairman, Alhaji AbdulMalik Rogo, paid a solidarity visit to the newly appointed SSG, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim.
Alhaji AbdulMalik Rogo stated that, immediately after the announcement, both conventional and social media platforms were agog with praises and well wishes were flowing in from different angles. This alone was a clear indication, that the appointment was well deserved.
He added that, this was part of the reason the committee members took the lead to celebrate the SSG. He pray to God to guide him to succeed in the newly assigned task.
Expressing his appreciation for the visit, the SSG stated that he has made a vow to Governor Yusuf, that he will put in his best to serve the state.
He also revealed that “Anybody or groups with meaningful ideas to further develop our dear state is welcome.” he assured that, he would operate an open door policy which has been his guiding principle during his civil service career.
“I am profoundly gratitude to Almighty Allah. As I appreciate His Excellentcy, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for reposing his confidence in me. To serve the state in this capacity. And I promise not to disappoint him,” he concluded.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Ibrahim’s appointment takes effect from Monday, February 10, 2025.
According to the statement, Ibrahim was selected based on his extensive experience and expertise, which are expected to play a vital role in advancing the administration’s development agenda and keeping the state on track with its goals.
Umar Farouk Ibrahim brings over three decades of distinguished public service to his new role.
His career in the civil service, spanning from 1987 to 2023, has been marked by key leadership positions that significantly contributed to the governance and administrative structure of Kano State.
From March 2001 to May 2015, Ibrahim served as the Permanent Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Political Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In this capacity, he was instrumental in analyzing key policy options, advising the government on viable alternatives, and overseeing the implementation of these policies across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Following this, from June 2015 to March 2016, Ibrahim held the position of Permanent Secretary for the Administration and General Services Directorate.
His tenure in this role showcased his strong leadership and administrative skills. Notably, he served as acting Secretary to the State Government during annual leaves in 2013 and 2014, underscoring the trust and confidence placed in him by the state leadership.
In addition to his formal roles, Ibrahim served as Secretary for several high-profile committees, including the Coordinating Committee on Independent Power (2012-2015), the Committee on the Identification and Sale of Government Property (GP Houses) in 2012, and the State Payroll Standing Committee (2000-2004).
His early career also saw him play pivotal roles in community and educational reforms, such as his position as Secretary of the Inter-Community/Religious Consultative Forum in 1998 and the Committee on the Review of the Operations of the Agency for Mass Education in 1994.
Mr. Ibrahim obtained a B.Sc. in Political Science from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in 1985, followed by several professional certificates that further enriched his qualifications.
As a seasoned administrator and retired Permanent Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a commitment to excellence in his new role as SSG.
His appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the administrative framework of the current government and facilitate the effective execution of its policies and programs.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that Ibrahim’s appointment would significantly contribute to realizing his administration’s vision for Kano State, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership in steering the state toward sustained development and growth.
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