Headlines
Ganduje attacks Bashir Tofa’s group, says Kano people ‘overwhelmingly’ support new emirates
By Nazifi Dawud
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has responded to the Advocates for United Kano, a pressure group led by elder statesman Alhaji Bashir Tofa, which called on the governor to repeal the controversial law that created additional emirates in the state.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Tofa’s group on Sunday in a statement accused Mr Ganduje of destroying the 1,000 year old Kano heritage through creation of the Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya emirates–a move they said could cause crisis and disunity in the state.
“The Governor, for political reasons, has deliberately overlooked the numerous words of wisdom written to him formally and/or expressed through various media and went heedlessly ahead to sign into law the obnoxious bill creating four additional emirates within the historical jurisdiction of the Kano Emirate,” read the statement signed by Mr Tofa and 11 other prominent Kano natives.
“As elders, sincerely concerned with the unity, well-being and progress of the people of Kano State, we consider this singular act by the Governor (along with many similar inactions upon which the citizens have expressed their dissatisfaction) appalling, misguided and dictatorial,” it added.
However, in his reply, Mr Ganduje condemned the group as “a bunch of partisan and self-appointed elitist group” which is “spreading fibs (lies) on the government’s decision to create additional emirates in the state”.
The governor, who spoke through a statement by the state Commissioner for Information Malam Muhammad Garba, also accused Mr Tofa and other members of the Advocate for United Kano of being “people with inclination to the opposition party in the state.”
“From what we have understood, it is a group of people with inclination to the opposition party in the state. They do not represent anyone but themselves and just trying desperately to become relevant in the scheme of things,‘’ he said.
Read the statement below:
NEW EMIRATE NOW HISTORY, REFORM AIMS TO RECKON WITH REALITY
-KNSG REPLIES ADVOCATE FOR UNITED KANO
Kano state government Monday insists that the creation of new Emirates in the state which followed due process has come to stay, and is also part of effort to reform obsolete laws guiding the existence of the traditional institution to tally with existing reality.
It says for a traditional institution to stand the test of time and move in pace with global world, it will have to be fine-tuned and restructured in such a way that it can help in accelerating the development and socio-economic reality of the people.
A press statement signed by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba indicates that following the signing into law bill for the establishment of the new Emirates of Bichi, Rano Gaya and Karaye, a bunch of partisan and self-appointed elitist group, Advocate for United Kano, claiming to be speaking on behalf of the people of Kano sprang up, spreading fib on government’s decision to create additional Emirates in the state.
He says whereas the people of Kano overwhelmingly welcome the development, the group, which membership is more of an opposition, is trying to, at all cost, depict that old heritage is being destroyed but could not say exactly how.
“From what we have understood, it is a group of people with inclination to the opposition party in the state. They do not represent anyone but themselves and just trying desperately to become relevant in the scheme of things,‘’ the statement adds.
Malam Garba further explains that the establishment of additional Emirates in the state is aimed at bringing more development to the people of the new Emirates and also the need to bring traditional institutions closer to the people in addition to facilitating speedy socio-economic development and security in the state.
He says to demonstrate his sincerity, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje appointed Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as the new Chairman of the Kano State Council of Chiefs.
Malam Garba says there are some policies and programmes on health, security and the recently introduced Free and Compulsory Education at Basic and Secondary level that will require active participation of the community especially the traditional institution which has now been decentralized for effective implementation and coordination.
He urges the people in the state to remain calm, law abiding and resist any temptation by some group of people to plunge the state to undue tension.
MALAM MUHAMMAD GARBA
Hon. Commissioner, Information, Kano State
Nasiru Yusuf
National captain Ahmed Musa is considering a proposition to play some matches for his former club in Nigeria, Kano Pillars, in a move hoped to boost the local league and maintain his personal fitness.
Kano Focus reports that the 28-year-old, who is a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in October, had received offers from England, Russia and Turkey.
But as he mulls over his next European destination in the summer, the winger received a proposition from the governor of Kano, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Shehu Dikko, chairman of the League Management Company (LMC) for a short stint in Nigeria.
“After speaking with the governor and chairman of the LMC I am considering to play some games for Kano pillars,” the former Leicester City player told BBC Sport Africa.
“Anything that improves the image of Nigerian football is something that I strive to embark on and Kano Pillars holds a special place in my heart.
“It’s the team that helped me become the professional footballer I am today, so this is more than just football but a very strong bond,” Mr Musa said.
According to BBC a deal to bring Musa in has already been finalised.
Musa, who has built a training and fitness facilities in Kano to help grass roots football, scored 18 goals for Kano Pillars to finish as top scorer in the 2009/10 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.
His desire to help promote the image of the domestic league on social media is what the LMC, which runs the NPFL, is hoping to benefit from this season.
Musa made his 96th appearance for Nigeria in their 3-0 win over Lesotho in Lagos in the Super Eagles final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
After Vincent Enyeama (101) and Joseph Yobo (100), Musa is Nigeria’s third most capped player in history, having played 96 matches since his debut aged just 17 in 2010.
He helped the Super Eagles win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and played for them in the past two World Cups
Musa scored twice for Nigeria at the 2014 and 2018 Fifa World Cup tournaments to become the country’s top World Cup goalscorer.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board has destroyed expired products worth N98 Million Naira.
Kano Focus reports that the items were apprehended at various market in the state.
Speaking shortly after the destruction, the Executive Secretary of the Board represented by the Director Environmental and Public Health Usman Rabiu Sadiq explained that, the exercise was aim at protecting public health against using hazardous products that may hamper their health especially during Ramadan fasting.
The Director stated that, the exercise was conducted after obtaining a court order granting the Board permission to destroy the products.
He called on people to be extra vigilant on consumables especially during Ramadan.
Kano Focus reports that the items destroyed include, drugs, baking powder, minerals and other exotics drinks.
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state government said the administration of former Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso left a liability of N54, 408, 259, 638.05 billion for the five kilometre road projects across the 44 local government areas of the state.
Kano Focus reports that the state commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba dropped the hint on Sunday while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council Meeting held at the Africa House, Government House, Kano.
He said the council received the report of the Technical Committee to assess the 5 km road projects all of which were awarded by the previous administration under the defunct Ministry of Land and Physical Planning with the state Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) as supervising agency.
Mr Garba said the committee visited 39 local governments where its detailed report indicated awarded contract sum for the projects, present site conditions, value of executed works, amount certified and amount released for the projects.
The commissioner pointed out that 5km projects in three local governments were revoked and rewarded due to non-performance in Warawa, Ungogo and Dawakin Tofa, while some portions of the projects in Tsanyawa and Bichi along Kano-Katsina road were released to the federal ministry of works and housing based on request from the federal government.
He said other three projects in Rimin Gado, Karaye and Bunkure local government that fall within main arterial highway were expunged from the main project and re-awarded separately for execution, while metropolitan local governments of Dala, Nassarawa, Gwale, Municipal and Tarauni were allotted various projects within the municipality as 5km projects.
Mr Garba pointed out that the council has approved the release of N607, 124, 663.47 million for the rehabilitation of Rimin Gado-Sabon Fegi-Jilli-Gulu road in Rimin Gado local government.
The commissioner stated that approval has also been given by the council for the conversion of the existing School of Post Basic Midwifery Gezawa to the status of School of Nursing Gezawa to broaden the platform for training of more qualified midwives in order to reduce maternal and infant morbidity and mortality in the state.
Ahmed Musa signs short deal with Kano Pillars
Inganta tsaro: Alfindiki ya samar da kofofin unguwannin masu kudi a cikin lokuna
Kano destroys expired products worth over N90m
Daliban Kano sama da 20,000 ba za su shiga manyan makarantu ba
Kwankwaso left over N50bn liability for LGs 5km projects – Kano Govt
Gwamnatin Kano ta bada umarnin rufe gidajen Abinci da na Biredi
‘Yan sanda a Kano sun kama makocin da ya jagoranci yiwa makocinsa fashi
Meet unsung court registrar, Ustaz Sunusi Khalifa
Ramadan: ‘Yan kasuwa a Kano sunce ba za a samu hauhawar kayan masarufi ba
