Headlines
COVID-19 is real, those denying it are ignorant–Dr Bashir Aliyu
Nazifi Dawud
Renowned Islamic scholar Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar has appealed to people to take precautions against the novel COVID-19 coronavirus, saying the disease is real and not a “Western conspiracy” as some ignorant persons are claiming.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dr Umar, head of Al-Fur’qan Islamic Centre in Kano city, made the appeal during a Qur’an exegesis session on Saturday.
He said it was unjust for people who have no knowledge on the coronavirus pandemic to claim it was propaganda, while the infection is spreading and killing people.
“Are you telling people to just relax without taking any precautions until the (coronavirus) disease comes to their door steps and kills them? Is this what Islam teaches you?,” he asked rhetorically.
“No one knows exactly how this disease came about. Those who are calling it propaganda are ignorant. Those who say it’s a conspiracy do not know anything apart from the ability to read in English language.
“They say it’s just a plot between the United States of America (USA) and China, forgetting that that China was the first victim of the disease followed by the US.
“Even Isreal is a victim. How many people died in Israel, about 200 and still counting. And just like Islamic countries closed down their mosques, the Isrealis also shut down their synagogues despite their orthodox doctrine,” he added.
According to him: “The whole world is on its knees. Governments are helping companies to pay salaries in England. Are you saying that the capitalist nations would deliberately create something that would destroy them?
“In U.S, (President Donald) Trump says every citizen will be given $1,000 each to prevent the economy from collapsing. But despite this, the economy is still crumbling. Only Allah can do this”.
Dr Bashir also urged Islamic scholars to be skeptical of ignorant followers that often deceive them with a fake claim from a 1980 fictitious novel that purportedly predicted the coming of the coronavirus.
“Those who are using a non-scientific fictional novel to claim that the coronavirus is a conspiracy theory are ignorant.
“Even though they claim that the novel predicted the virus in Wuhan, there is no where that the name Wuhan is mentioned in the said novel. But they use that fake information to deceive Islamic scholars who also come out to mislead members of the public,” he said.
KANO FOCUS reports that concerns are being raised on how some radio stations in Kano invite quacks, posing as medical experts to “analyse” the coronavirus pandemic, and end up misleading the public in the process.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
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