Headlines
Kano Council of Ulama rejects Ganduje’s Almajiri ban
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano State Council of Ulama has rejected Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s decision to proscribe child beggars popularly known as almajirai from roaming the streets across the state to beg for alms.
Mr Ganduje, who announced the ban on Tuesday also threatened to arrest and prosecute any parent that allows their children to roam the streets.
The governor warned that henceforth any teacher with pupils under the Almajiri school arrangement must accept the new approach put in place by the state government, explaining that, “if you think you cannot accept that then you leave the state.”
“When beggars are caught, it is not only that beggar is caught, but his parents or guardians. Such parents or guardians would be taken to court for disrespecting our laws,” Mr Ganduje said.
‘Not serious’
However, in an interview with KANO FOCUS on Wednesday, Chairman of the Ulama Council, Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil said the ban on almajirai “is not feasible and the government is not serious”.
According to him, necessary steps towards curtailing the practice have not been taken or put in place before taking the decision.
“To us at the Council of Ulama, the government can not do it and is not serious about it. They are just doing it to appease their masters abroad, or get their money or some kind of noise making.
“Or they might have been accused of something from somewhere for which they simply organise a ceremony and that is all. That is our opinion” he said.
Different type of beggars
Sheikh Khalil, a renowned Islamic scholar, who had advocated against street begging gave a brief history of efforts made in the past to curtail the menace but failed “because serious and necessary measures were not taken.”
He said the real street beggars should be identified.
“The right steps to follow in banning street begging include: the Quranic clerics involved have to be identified because there are street beggars who are Quranic students.
“And there are beggars who were sent by their parents from the rural areas to come and be begging in the urban areas, there is also another form of begging by some physically challenged individuals.
“All these forms of street beggars need to be identified and each one addressed accordingly. But they have not done that.
“So, for the ban to work, there has to be a cooperation between the government and the Quranic clerics. You have to sit with them and understand why they engage in begging, get some statistics, know the total number of those engaging in street begging among them.
“If you identify all these, it is then that you will come to know exactly beggars that are not Almajiris Quranic students,” Sheikh Khalil explained.
‘Join hands with neighbouring states’
The cleric also observed that Kano state cannot unilaterally end street begging without collaborating with neighboring states.
“More so, you can not stop begging in the state without joining hands with the neighbouring states.
“If you recall, there was the case of a man who sent three of his children to the city to be begging for sustenance because he wanted to place his new wife in the room they were occupying.
“You can see that these kids are not necessarily Almajiris or Quranic pupils.
“Therefore, you need statistics of the real situation, know the total number of the Quranic teachers, the total number of the Quranic schools and their pupils, know exactly who the real Almajiris are first.
“You will then know their needs understand their problems and then proffer the right solutions. “You can decide to cater for them or send them back to their homes. But you have not conducted all these,” he advised.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Governor of the Year 2024 (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of his transformative achievements in the education and healthcare sectors.
The recognition was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Governor Yusuf received the award at a prestigious event held in Lagos, where eminent personalities from across the country were honoured for excellence in leadership and service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Atedo Peterside, emphasized that the selection process was based on merit and verifiable impact, commending the awardees for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Vanguard’s Editor-in-Chief, Eze Anaba, praised Governor Yusuf for setting a high standard in governance through his commitment, innovation, and focus on people-centered policies.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vanguard for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kano State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens, especially education, health, and social welfare.
Other recipients of the Good Governance Award included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).
Governor Yusuf was accompanied to the ceremony by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, special advisers, local government chairmen, and close political allies.
This latest honour comes just four days after he received the Governor of the Year (Education) award from Leadership Newspaper.
The Governor is also scheduled to receive the Africa Good Governance Award from Heritage Times Magazine later this month in Morocco.
By Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Kano State has the highest number of zero-dose immunization cases in Nigeria, with 15 local government areas (LGAs) identified as high-burden, according to Save the Children.
This alarming figure has prompted the launch of targeted interventions under the Boost Project, a collaborative initiative by Save the Children and GSK aimed at reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in the country.
During an engagement meeting held on Thursday with the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization, stakeholders renewed commitments to tackling the issue.
The project is currently being implemented in Kano and Lagos States, with focused interventions in Ungogo and Gezawa LGAs, which are among the most affected areas in Kano.
Speaking at a media and civil society dialogue, Taiwo Folake, Coordinator of the Boost Project, emphasized the critical role of public engagement in reversing the trend.
She called for increased media support to drive awareness and community action on immunization.
Folake explained that the Boost Project works closely with state and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, and caregivers to ensure that children who have never received routine vaccines are reached, while also reintegrating those who have dropped out of immunization schedules.
Dr. Itunu Dave Agbola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the project, said the initiative is also focused on improving domestic resource mobilization for immunization funding, strengthening governance, and developing a Kano-specific immunization policy to enhance planning, funding allocation, and accountability.
She noted that building trust through community leadership is vital for vaccine acceptance.
Also speaking, Salisu Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Kano CoP on Immunization, reiterated the group’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to reduce the number of high-burden LGAs.
He dismissed widespread misconceptions about vaccine safety, assuring that vaccines are safe and scientifically approved.
Yusuf pledged to intensify sensitization efforts through media outreach, house-to-house campaigns, and community meetings.
The meeting marks a renewed drive to improve immunization coverage in Kano State, with a strong emphasis on reaching vulnerable and underserved communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted Nigerians of the outbreak of meningitis in thirteen states of the country.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 13 states prone to meningitis according to the agency are; parts of Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna and Borno states.
The agency in its meningitis and heat stress watch released on Friday, stated that some parts of the country would also experience heat stress.
For meningitis, the agency stated: “There is an increased chance of outbreak of Meningococcal meningitis over the country.
This prospect is heightened with the fresh dust haze that came into the country early hours of 11th of April. Areas most prone to the outbreak includes Parts of Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna and Borno States.
The agency while stating that the most vulnerable groups include infants, young children, the aged, and those with weak immune systems, advised them to get vaccinated against meningitis, practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and avoid close contact with those affected.
It called on relevant bodies responsible for public health to take note of the alert and take necessary preventive actions.
“This is coming after three consecutive days of rainfall over the country. Maximum temperatures over the north are within 40 ℃ . Clear skies and moisture will aid this heat and attendant discomfort.
“Discomfort levels should be highest over parts of Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue states including the Federal Capital Territory”.
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Kano Tops Nigeria’s Zero-Dose Immunization List as Boost Project Targets Urgent Action
Kano, 12 others prone to meningitis
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Support for President Tinubu’s Policies and Call for the Appointment of Hisham Habib as Political Adviser
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