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Finding the ultimate peace: A tribute to Dr Habib Musa Fagge
Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Fagge
I can’t remember the last time I saw so many people, young and old, crying as a result of losing someone. Probably the nearest I can remember was during the demise of the famous Sheikh, Sheikh Ja’far Mahmud Adam, who was murdered while leading Subh prayer somewhere in 2007.
The death of Dr. Habib, an anaethesiologist and a medical consultant with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Nigeria, has been a great tragedy which directly touched thousands of people.
Dr. Habib was born around 47 years ago. Born from the family of Alhaji Musan Kwalle in Fagge, Kano, he had his early Islamic education in Fagge, partly in Saqafah Islamiyya and in other places.
He attended Kwakwaci Secondary School and later proceeded and obtained his medical degree from University of Maiduguri. He became a medical doctor who worked with honesty, dedication and for the sake of Allah, Almighty. His qualifications didn’t in any way go into his head or made him feel superior to others.
Throughout the days of his academic struggles, Malam Dr. Habib was truly a hard working servant of Allah who devoted his time, energy, and meagre resources for the sake of humanity.
Dr. Habib Musa was a philanthropist per excellence. He never needed to know you personally before he offered his helping hand. As a government worker, he went the extra mile to help and assist anyone who came his way, and to the best of his ability.
I am a living witness to how he had assisted one of our students, who sought for his assistance. I heard many people narrating how he had also assisted them, paid for their medication and transport fare back home. This is incredible.
Sheikh Bin Usman, on returning to Nigeria from a foreign trip, directly branched at Fagge, Dr. Habib’s family house, to pay his condolence and pray for the deceased. It was there that he narrated and showed a text message which showed Dr. Habib donating more than a hundred thousand naira, just two weeks before his final exit.
People have mentioned a lot of good about him. Thousands of mouths described him as “mutumin kirki” – a righteous person. The mention is too much and too high. As I told his brother, Sheikh Musa Musa that, even his (Dr. Habib’s) family, will never know half of what Dr. Habib did to help others during his lifetime. With all the pouring revelations, these cannot reveal half of what he has done to those in need.
He was a doctor for all! He cared and prescribed cures for his family, friends, friends of his families, friends of friends of his families, and to even those who were not known to him personally. He helped all those who went to him accordingly.
On the 28th of September, 2019, as the President of Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN), Dr. Habib and many other doctors like him, celebrated the day and made it a duty upon themselves to sensitize and make people aware of simple and quick methods of saving lives.
They tagged and gave a theme of “LifeSavers” for the event internationally. Dr. Habib sacrificed the day and chose our two mosques, at Rijiyar Zaki (Assalam Juma’at Mosque) and Dambare (Darul Hamd Juma’at Mosque) for his personal demonstrations.
Dr. Habib was very cool, cute and calm. A right honourable gentle man! You will never see him in the middle of anything! He always chose to be at a side, hardly to be noticed by anyone. He didn’t want to be known unless where necessary. Someone may easily [mis]perceive him as an introvert, not knowing that he can overtake a whole crowd when there is need.
A day after his death, it was said that Lassa fever killed him. This is up to the authorities to confirm, however, Dr. was known to have an ailment which repeatedly put him to bed, almost every year.
“If Lassa fever was the culprit in Dr Habeeb’s death, then it was indeed merciless and evil. It took away the wrong person at the wrong time.”
It didn’t know the right person to be taken. We have no worries whatever as to the cause of his death. We are worried that Dr. Habeeb is no longer in our midst with his charming smile and soothing frame.
After he was buried, people stayed around the grave for a very long time. They just stayed and stared. They didn’t want to leave. I was there wondering and praying for him to answer his questions right! He has truly done that insha Allah. Finally, one his brothers, Malam Adamu Sarki, too weak and crying, stood up and said, “jama’a mu tafi”, and there we left!
His life is a life worth of lessons to be emulated. It was a life of a man who struggled from grass to grace and from the soil to the stars! May we copy and do more than what he did.
May the almighty Allah forgive him. May the almighty Allah make him to be among the dwellers of Jannatul Firdaus. May the almighty Allah make us to have more people like him and more! May almighty Allah give his family, friends, colleagues, all and sundry the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, amen! Allah Ya sa mu riske ku da alheri, amin. Ina yi wa ‘yan’uwa da kowa da kowa ta’aziyya.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the establishment of a Technical Committee to tackle the persistent issue of poor employment representation of Kano State indigenes in federal government agencies, as well as private and voluntary institutions operating within the state.
KANO FOCUS the committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, at his office in Kano. Speaking at the inauguration, the SSG expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued marginalisation of Kano indigenes in employment opportunities, despite Kano being the most populous state in the country.
He noted that Kano has not received its fair share of jobs, even in federal and private institutions located within the state, stressing that the high rate of unemployment among youths in Kano—believed to be higher than in any other state—demands urgent and decisive government intervention.
“This is the right time to reclaim what truly belongs to us,” Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim declared, adding that the present moment offers an opportunity for meaningful and sustainable action.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad, explained that the committee was carefully constituted with experienced individuals drawn from various sectors of public service.
He announced Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Social Development, as Chairman of the committee, with Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Special Adviser on Human Resource, serving as Co-Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service; Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties; Hon. Ali Yahuza Gano, Special Adviser on Metropolitan Affairs; Alhaji Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment; and Hon. Ado Muhammad Wudil, Executive Secretary, Guidance and Counselling Board. The committee’s activities will be coordinated by Salisu Musa Aliyu, Principal Assistant Secretary in the REPA Directorate of the SSG’s Office.
The committee is mandated to review employment practices in federal, private, and voluntary institutions operating in Kano State, determine the level of employment of Kano indigenes, engage relevant organisations on recruitment guidelines, and collaborate with the Federal Character Commission to ensure fairness and compliance with existing regulations. Its ultimate objective is to develop practical and lasting solutions that will improve employment opportunities for Kano State indigenes.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the confidence reposed in the team. He assured that members would work diligently to justify the trust and appealed to the people of Kano State for prayers and cooperation.
The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his long-time political ally, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on his 76th birthday, marked on December 25.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dr. Ganduje as an astute politician and accomplished administrator who has devoted over five decades to public service in Nigeria.
The President recalled that Dr. Ganduje served the nation in several key capacities, including as a senior administrator in the Federal Capital Territory before returning to Kano State to serve as Commissioner for Works during the military era. He later became a two-term Deputy Governor of Kano State and subsequently served two consecutive terms as Governor of the state.
Dr. Ganduje, who also served as National Chairman of the APC, is currently the Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
President Tinubu praised Ganduje’s enduring friendship and political collaboration, noting his significant contributions to the growth and stability of the ruling party.
“I will forever appreciate Ganduje’s friendship and close collaboration at different times, as well as his services to the APC,” the President said.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the former Kano State governor good health and long life to enable him to continue serving Nigeria and humanity.
Dr. Ganduje’s 76th birthday has drawn goodwill messages from political leaders and associates across the country, celebrating his long years of service and contributions to national development.
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
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