Headlines
It’s wrong for Islamic scholars to attack Ganduje over Almajiri ban–Pantami
Nazifi Dawud
Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has supported the decision of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to ban child beggars (Almajirai) from roaming the streets across Kano state.
Mr Pantami, was apparently responding to comments made by Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, who criticized Mr Ganduje for announcing the ban on Almajirai “without consulting stakeholders”.
Almajirai menace: Kano bans child beggars, to prosecute errant parents
Kano Council of Ulama rejects Ganduje’s Almajiri ban
The minister spoke on Friday in an interview with journalists, after a pre-convocation lecture organized by the Kano State Polytechnic’s School of Technology.
“What I am saying about this issue is, it is not appropriate for my brothers, Islamic scholars to come forth and be challenging the governor just like that. They should come and sit together to come up with solution on how to remedy the situation, on the way out.
“Because there is no doubt that taking those children back to school is the right thing to do. And is beneficial to the Almajiris, their parents and the society at large. From the part of the government, as a leader he has the responsibility of seeing how to make his people live well,” he was quoted in a statement by Abba Anwar, chief press secretary to Mr Ganduje.
Mr Pantami, a revered Islamic scholar, also offered to be part of any committee that might be set up to address the Almajiri menace in the state.
“And I want to be part of any such discussion, in a group form, if it appears to be raised.
“We all have children. My children are with me. I feed them myself. You know feeding of children is the responsibility or their parents.
“If there are orphans we know how our society is concerned and considerate to them and their condition of living. I was raised in my father’s home. I saw how orphans were also fed and being taken care of by our parents,” he added.
‘Begging not part of Islam’
The minister explained that begging is never a part of the Islamic religion, but an act adopted by some people to feed themselves out of necessity.
“First and foremost we all know that begging is not a religious activity or obligation. It is just something of necessity, for somebody to say he doesn’t have anything to feed himself.
“And as I know how concerned the governor is, he will not come up with a policy that will harm or destroy the life of beggars. I am sure there is a plan in place on how to assist such kind of people,” he said.
Mr Pantami also commended Mr Ganduje for introducing the free and compulsory education policy in the state.
“We are commending the effort of the Kano state government on this free and compulsory education. We encourage people to take their children to school to benefit from this laudable initiative. Any population that is given education will succeed in life. And the life of that society will not be wasted,” he noted.
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.
A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.
Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.
The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.
AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.
AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.
Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.
AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
The gale of defection from opposition political parties intensifies as two members of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdullahi Sani Rogo and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that both lawmakers represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituency of Kano State.
Both lawmakers announced their defection at plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
On hand to witness the defection on the floor of the House was the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accompanied by some members of the national working committee of the party.
However, the Minority Whip, Isa Ali JC, faulted the defection of the lawmakers on the basis that it was against constitutional provisions.
As of Thursday, no fewer than 30 members of opposition political parties have dumped their parties to join the APC.
Kwankwaso denies taking position on rumoured defection to APC
Emir Sanusi commends AGILE for renovating over 1,300 schools in Kano
Rurum, Rogo finally dump NNPP for APC
Power Shift in Kano: Ganduje Family Bows to Emir Sanusi as Nephew Gets Turbaned
Kano legislator, Masu dumps NNPP for APC
AGILE partners ICEADA in promoting girls education in 6 Kano LGAs
BUK Achieves 100% Success in 2024 NUC Accreditation: 53 Programmes Fully Approved
2025 Hajj:Kano Pilgrims Board Deploys 300-Man Team, Unveils Seven Key Committees
Kano signs N12. 7bn for construction of Tofa-Karaye road
