Headlines
As Buhari clocks 77
Hassan Muhammad Auwal
First of all, I congratulate you on celebrating your 77th birthday. May ALLAH prosper you with long and blessed days. Ameen.
Baba, as one of your loyal supporters I would like to share with you my suggestions and views.
Indeed, there are so many challenges during your first tenure in government that many Nigerians feel the country will never change.
Therefore, I have 10 points that I would like to offer as a contribution to the development, sustainability and prosperity of our country, Nigeria.
Mr. President, I recommend that you should look at the judicial system of this country, because there are still some judges and lawyers who do not have the country at heart.
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Their ambition is to accumulate wealth through corrupt politicians who are before the courts for looting public funds.
This should be considered in order to provide lasting justice to any Nigerian.
Modern security measures
As you have been trying to increase the salaries of police officers in the past, it is good to make sure that they are paid on time, and that you do not allow some of their superiors to deposit the money into banks in order to gain interest before releasing the salaries.
This will reduce the amount of bribes some of them take from the people of this country, and failure to pay them on time, will discourage them from doing their job safely and quietly.
I am sure every Nigerian, especially the northerners, knows that there have been improvement in security after you became president.
However, Mr. President, the era of using security personnel in identifying the insurgents has passed, the world is now moving on to modern and sophisticated security apparatus, such as cameras that are mounted on the roads and space shuttle surveillance to monitor what is happening nationwide and even in the wild.
We all know that you are a nationalist, you do not take side in governing the affairs of this country but Baba, you should look at the Northern Territory as from 2003 until your 2019 general election it gave you lots of votes.
The region needs to be revitalized economically and educationally.
The people of this country have been long complaining that there are some CABALS in your government who have no any official roles in the government, but have prevented anything from running smoothly in your government.
Hassan Auwal Muhammad in a handshake with President Buhari
They enrich themselves at the expense of other citizens and only those who they wish are given appointments without regard to merit.
If this allegation is true Baba, do not hesitate to use your broom and sweep them away from your government and concentrate on working in the interests of the people who voted for you!
I once wrote to you about the corruption allegation in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) which led to the removal of the Chairman of the commission.
What you did was right Baba, but the community is still struggling with the annual Hajj fees, which is why many people could not afford to continue attending the annual Hajj Program.
I would like you to recommend a few reliable, trustworthy people to oversee the planning of the Hajj project in this country!
Education is the key
In spite of the information contained in my previous letter, no country can survive, develop and succeed without a knowledgeable population.
Baba! There should be an emergency in education sector to move the country from an education-based society to a knowledge-based society.
The damage to this sector in Nigeria is beyond the imagination of any person, and serious measures must be taken in restoring the educational values of this country.
Many of the education secretaries, head teachers and their wives own private schools, so they will never allow the public schools to flourish and develop because it will cost them.
There should be an investigation and all those caught up in the act should be locked up.
Also, in the development of public schools across the country, your government should be able to provide them with the right equipment, and pay their salaries in due course.
The problem of jobs in Nigeria cannot be fixed when many of our industries are not working let alone creating jobs for the masses.
If you do that, Baba, you will probably wonder how education would develop in such a short time in this country.
Mr. President, I advise you to look at how the security system and the people of this country are at the country’s airports.
Indeed, the case of Zainab, a woman of Kano state, has been a long-standing problem.
Research has shown that many Nigerians have been killed on suspicion of traveling with planted drugs in their luggage which they had no idea on how they got to the luggage.
As we have gone through a severe economic downturn in this country, and I have previously suggested that a committee of economists who are non-biased be formed, to act as a guide for the country’s economic growth and development.
As suggested in my last letter to you, the matter has now become history.
Forming the committee will enable us to join the list of the world’s top industrial nations sooner or later.
This should also be maintained, Baba.
The problem of jobs in Nigeria cannot be fixed when many of our industries are not working let alone creating jobs for the masses. Baba, as you are working day and night to build a power plant in Mambila, Taraba State, we need to develop some other electricity stations to meet the needs of Nigerians and the industrial sector.
By so doing, the government can convince the owners of all companies to reopen them in order to produce and consume our locally made products, otherwise the government should take over from them or loan them if they have no capital now for their resurrection.
That is the only way our young people with many degrees that are unemployed can get jobs, and it will reduce the level of corruption in this country, because the number of our companies will work and no one will wait for government to give them jobs.
This will help boost the country’s economy rapidly.
I wish you a joyful birthday celebration.
Hassan Auwalu Muhammad, a student of journalism at Bayero University Kano, Department of Mass Communication can be reached at Hassilat@gmail.com
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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