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2019: Year of domestic violence in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
2019 was a particularly disturbing year for many people who had paid attention to the serial incidents of domestic violence in Kano, which had resulted in loss of lives or serious injurious to victims. Kano Focus picks some of the chilling cases of domestic violence that shook residents to their bone marrows.
Wife allegedly stabs husband over ‘nude photos’
On June 22nd, a 21-year-old housewife, Fatima Musa Hamza, popularly known as Hannan reportedly stabbed her husband Sa’id Hussain for seizing her phone which she was allegedly using to send her nude photos to secret lovers.
The marriage between the couple started to experience trouble just two weeks after the their wedding.
Sa’id Hussain was allegedly stabbed by his wife Hanan
Her family accused the husband of battery in a widely circulated video clip in which Hanan shows injuries allegedly inflicted on her by her husband.
It was learnt that Ms Hanan, who was five months pregnant at the time of the incident, bled profusely following Mr Hussain’s alleged attack on her.
She was said to have delivered of a baby girl, who came with serious health challenges and died six weeks ago.
However, Mr Hussain denied the allegation, and also accused his wife of infidelity, saying he caught her sending nude videos to her “boyfriends.”
Kano Focus reports that Hanan, who was arraigned by the Kano state police command was granted bail.
The case is due to be heard on January 27, 2020.
Wife arrested for allegedly poisoning husband in Kano
On April 16, the police command in Kano State arrested a 15-year-old housewife, Hassana Lawan of Bechi Village, in Kumbotso local government area of the state for allegedly poisoning her 33-year-old husband, Sale Abubakar.
The suspect was said to have fed her husband Abubakar with a meal laced with rat poison.
The victim was rushed to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital for treatment while the suspect was charged to court by the police.
Wife ‘pours hot water on husband’s manhood’ in Kano
On Friday July 12, Kano State Police Command confirmed the arrest of a housewife, Aisha Ali, who allegedly poured hot water on the private part of her husband at Dambatta local government area of the state.
The suspect, who fled the village after committing the offence, was trailed and arrested at her hideout in Babura town in neighbouring Jigawa state.
The victim in hospital
Man ‘slaughters 17-year-old wife’ in Kano
On April 3, the police command in Kano State arrested a 26-year-old man, Aminu Inuwa, of Jakada Quarters, for allegedly slaughtering his 17-year-old wife, Safara’u Aminu at midnight.
The Police alleged that the suspect and his wife had a misunderstanding, after which Inuwa slaughtered his wife and buried her in the house.
The police exhumed the body from the shallow grave and took it to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital Kano for autopsy.
Housewife slumps, dies after fighting with co-wife in Kano
Again on April 3, a housewife, Bilkisu Abubakar slumped and died during a quarrel with her co-wife, Hajara Abubakar.
Both were married to the same husband at Jiramo village in Takai local government area of Kano state.
Police said the suspect, Hajara had a quarrel with her deceased co-wife resulting to a fight, during which Bilkisu suddenly collapsed and died.
Horror as 57-year-old man ‘stabs brother to death’
On July 19, a 57-year-old man, Tijjani Yahaya, stabbed his 20-year-old brother, Aminu Mohammad, to death.
Police said the incident occurred at Annandin Islamic School, Kofar Ruwa, Dala local government area, at about 9:00 p.m.
According to police investigations Yahaya and the victim had a misunderstanding and, in the process, Yahaya stabbed the deceased in the chest with a sharp knife.
Teenage girl ‘stabs brother to death over wedding party’
On July 6, a 19-year old lady, Mariya Sulaiman, stabbed to death her elder brother, Sani Sulaiman.
Police said Mariya and Sani had a disagreement over a party organised to celebrate the wedding of their sister in Badawa quarters, Nassarawa local government, Kano state.
The suspect, Mariya Suleiman
The argument erupted between the deceased and his younger sister when the former ordered that a music being played at the ceremony be stopped.
It was during the argument that Mariya stabbed Sani with a knife on his neck, resulting to his death.
The father of the deceased, Alhaji Sule Ustaz and his wife were said to have fainted when they were told of their son’s death.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has taken a decisive step to address the prolonged challenges faced by Kano students unable to access their academic certificates throughout Ganduje’s administration.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday, it was revealed that Governor Yusuf held a critical meeting with the management of Near East University in Cyprus to tackle the issue.
The discussion focused on the overdue release of certificates for Kano students who graduated between 2015 and 2019.
Many of these graduates, particularly from fields such as Medicine and Nursing, have been unable to advance in their careers due to the non-payment of tuition fees by the Ganduje led immediat past administration.
The governor described the situation as a major setback, not only for the affected students but also for the state, which has been deprived of skilled professionals in critical sectors particularly the healthcare service.
However, he expressed optimism following what he called fruitful discussions with the university management aimed at settling the liabilities and facilitating the release of the certificates.
“This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise,” the governor remarked.
“One cannot imagine that as governor, Ganduje cannot pay for tuition of these medical students who much need for immediate employment with Kano state government, it is a shame on him”
“We remain committed to prioritizing education and the welfare of our people as a foundation for sustainable growth.”
Governor Yusuf’s intervention underscores his administration’s resolve to address systemic challenges in the education sector.
The anticipated resolution of this issue is expected to enable the graduates to fulfill their potential and make meaningful contributions to Kano State’s development.
This effort signals a new chapter of hope for the affected graduates and reaffirms the government’s commitment to building a brighter future for its citizens.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) received five teams from the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday, December 9, 2024, to accredit nine academic programmes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the programmes under review include BSc Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, BSc Forensic Science, Masters in Entrepreneurship, Early Childhood Education, and Primary Education.
This marks the third phase of BUK’s ongoing accreditation process, following the successful review of 30 programmes between November 18 and 30, 2024 under phase one and two.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Sani Muhammad Gumel, emphasized the significance of accreditation as a peer-review exercise that enhances the quality of teaching and research at the university.
Professor Bashir Maina, speaking on behalf of the teams, highlighted their mission to assess the programmes and provide recommendations in line with global best practices.
The Director of Academic Planning, Professor Yusuf Garba, explained that the current accreditation process is part of the final phase, which involves the evaluation of 22 programmes in total.
The NUC accreditation teams are expected to submit their findings and recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor later this week.
Zulaiha Danjuma
The rise of digital payment systems in Nigeria has transformed the way people conduct financial transactions.
KANO FOCUS reports, In Kano, traders in the Hausawa Sabon Titi community have been at the forefront of this shift, embracing digital payment solutions to facilitate their daily business activities.
The introduction of the MoniePoint POS machine has revolutionized businesses in the area. Mr. Kabiru Yahaya, a provision store owner, noted that the cash squeeze prompted him to adopt the MoniePoint POS machine. “Most of our customers prefer to pay electronically, so we had to adapt to meet their needs,” he explained.
Similarly, Yusuf Usman, a bread and tea vendor, reported that 85% of his customers use ATM cards, mobile wallets, or phone transfers to make payments. “The MoniePoint POS machine has made it easier for me to receive payments and make payments to suppliers too,” he said.
Provision Shop at Sabontiti, Kano
Benefits of Inclusive Instant Payment Systems
The adoption of inclusive instant payment systems has not only improved business operations but also enhanced financial security. Mr. Usman noted that the use of digital payments has reduced the risk of robbery and burglary.
Inclusive instant payment systems offer several benefits
Increased financial inclusion: IIPS provides access to financial services for underserved populations, promoting economic growth and development. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the number of Nigerians with access to financial services increased from 36.8% in 2016 to 63.2% in 2020.
Improved economic efficiency: Digital payments reduce transaction costs, increase the speed of transactions, and enhance the overall efficiency of the economy. A study by McKinsey found that digital payments can increase GDP by up to 6% in some African countries.
Reduced risk of cash transactions: IIPS minimizes the risks associated with cash transactions, such as robbery, burglary, and counterfeiting. According to the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), the value of digital transactions in Nigeria increased by 50% in 2022, reaching ₦10.9 trillion.
Bread seller
Nigeria’s Cash Crunch Drives Digital Payments
Nigeria’s economy has traditionally relied heavily on cash transactions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns accelerated the adoption of digital banking and inclusive instant payment systems. The government’s efforts to curb excess cash circulation and promote digital payments have further driven the growth of IIPS.
According to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the number of active mobile money agents in Nigeria increased from 10,000 in 2019 to over 1.4 million in 2022.
Challenges and Limitations of IIPS
Despite the benefits of IIPS, there are challenges and limitations to its adoption. Some of these challenges include:
*Infrastructure constraints:* The lack of reliable internet connectivity and electricity in some areas can hinder the adoption of IIPS. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s internet penetration rate stood at 44.6% as of 2022.
*Security concerns:* The risk of cyber attacks and data breaches can deter some individuals and businesses from adopting IIPS. According to a report by KPMG, the average cost of a data breach in Nigeria is estimated to be around ₦2.5 billion.
*Regulatory issues:* The lack of clear regulations and guidelines can create uncertainty and confusion for providers and users of IIPS. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the regulator is working to develop a more comprehensive regulatory framework for digital payments in Nigeria.
Expert Reaction
Dr. Tijjani Ahmed, a Senior Lecturer at the Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure and a Research Fellow at the African Center for Tax and Governance, explained that the advancement of digital technology and the introduction of digital instant payments have increased financial inclusion for small businesses.
Dr. Tijjani Ahmed
“Prior to 2015, Nigeria had experienced low financial inclusion, with over 40% of the populace financially excluded,” he explained. Dr. Ahmed noted that this excluded demographics were not just individuals but also businesses that were in need of financial inclusion.
“Largely, the businesses in Northern Nigeria are informal, and one of the requirements in this modern age is to be banked and run a business account,” he said.
Dr. Ahmed added that with the advent of inclusive instant payment services like MoniePoint, the majority of small businesses are now able to be involved in the financial system, making and receiving payments, paying bills, and keeping track of their financial inputs and outputs.
“The Nigerian government has a target to phase out cash transactions by 2030; these digital financial technologies will help this transition, making businesses resilient because without these financial inclusive platforms and no cash, business will die,” he said.
The adoption of inclusive instant payment systems in Nigeria has transformed the way people conduct financial transactions. As the country continues to navigate its cash crunch, the growth of IIPS is expected to drive financial inclusion, improve economic efficiency, and reduce the risks associated with cash transactions. With the increasing adoption of IIPS, Nigeria is poised to make significant strides in promoting financial inclusion and driving economic growth.
As the country continues to evolve and adapt to the changing financial landscape, it is essential to address the challenges and limitations associated with IIPS to ensure its sustainable growth and development.
This story is produced under the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Fellowship of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop in partnership with Kano Focus Newspaper online.
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