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Kano Emirates Crisis: Northern elders to reconcile Ganduje, Sanusi
Nazifi Dawud
Disturbed by the lingering dispute between Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II over alleged political differences leading into the split of the ancient Kano Emirate into five, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has resolved to intervene in the crisis.
Kano Focus reports that the intervention of the NEF, under the leadership of Professor Ango Abdullahim came amidst a fresh controversy over an ultimatum issued by Mr Ganduje to Emir Sanusi on the chairmanship of the Kano Council of Chiefs.
The ultimatum was contained in a letter sighted by KANO FOCUS dated December 19, and signed by Musa Yahaya Bichi, Permanent Secretary Special Duties on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government.
“His Excellency the Executive Governor is requesting His Highness the Emir of Kano to indicate his ACCEPTANCE or OTHERWISE of his appointment as the CHAIRMAN of Kano State Council of Chiefs as conveyed vide letter No SSG/REPA/S/A/86/T and dated 9th December 2019.
“The acceptance or otherwise should reach his excellency the executive governor of Kano state within two days of the receipt of this letter.” It said.
However, even though another letter said to have emanated from the Kano Emirate indicating Mr Sanusi’s acceptance of the governor’s offer, circulated on social media, it is still unclear whether the monarch has agreed to chair the council of chiefs as the Emirate Council has not officially confirmed the purported acceptance letter.
‘Unforeseen circumstances’
But in a letter sent dated 15 December, 2019 and addressed to Walin Kano, Mahe Bashir, Professor Abdullahi, said the NEF is “deeply disturbed by the current dimension taken by the escalating misunderstanding between the Kano state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II and some sections of the Kano elite”.
“The crisis, we are afraid, is pregnant with unforeseen circumstances that ultimately threaten the integrity of the entire Kano traditional institution, overall peace and security of the state and by extension the cohesion of the northern region.
“Subsequent upon this concern, the Northern Elders Forum, has resolved to mobilize eminent northern personalities, elders and all categories of leaders and stakeholders in the north to intervene and find lasting solution to the matter,” the letter, seen by Kano Focus read.
Professor Abdullahi said the meeting to resolve the dispute would take place at Tahir Guest Palace on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
“While in Kano, the team shall hold interactions with Kano elders and critical stakeholders, the Emir Sunusi and the Governor of Kano.
“I wish to inform you that in view of your relevance and the eminent position in the Kano Emirate Council, you have been selected among the personalities that the delegation will interact with on Sunday, 22 December, 2019 at Tahir Guest Palace Majestic Hall by 12 noon.
“It is our sincere hope that this intervention would finally get to the root of the matter and find a lasting solution with mutual understanding and respect so that the state can move on,” the letter added.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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