Headlines
COVID-19: Kano shuts down private hospitals, diagnostic centres
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA) has shutdown private hospitals and private diagnostic centres to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
The Executive Secretary of the agency Usman Tijjani revealed this to KANO FOCUS in an exclusive interview on Sunday.
The closure of the private hospitals and diagnostic centres comes amidst concern over high mortality rate being experienced in Kano suspected to be linked to the COVID-19–a deadly respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus.
Mr Tijjani explained that the closure followed a state government directive on total lockdown.
“The essence of lockdown is to prevent community transmission of COVID-19. The hospitals are among the essential service providers exempted of the lockdown, if they can provide personal protective equipments to staff.
“Hospitals are among the places of public gathering that can trigger the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
The executive secretary however, clarified that hospitals that can provide personal protective equipment to their staff are exempted from total closure, but their operations would remain skeletal.
Equally exempted from the order, according to Mr Tijjani, are pharmacies and patent medicine shops as practiced in United States and United Kingdom where patients with stable condition can go and buy drugs.
“Even those who can provide personal protective equipment to their staffs, must scale down operation, as hospitals are among the places that attract crowd, and there is high probability of transmission in crowded environment.
” The hospitals should attend to emergency cases and those that required prompt medical attention, if they have face masks, hand gloves, sanitisers. Hospitals that cannot provide such personal protective equipment are directed to shutdown,” he directed.
Mr Tijjani threatened that any hospital found treating COVID-19 cases or allow their staff to get infected would be closed and will only re-open after fumigation.
The official also advised private hospitals in Kano to adopt “telemedicine” system, which enables patients to receive treatment information by phone as practiced in United States and United Kingdom.
He also advised hospitals and pharmacies to be on alert and exhibit a very high index of suspicion to identify people with coronavirus symptoms and refers them to COVID-19 rapid response team for further treatment.
Kano state had recorded more than a dozen high profile deaths on Saturday and Sunday, including five professors, a former Grand Khadi, a former state chairman of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), a former commissioner of education, a former editor of triumph newspapers among others.
However, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had dismissed the report of mass deaths in the state as “fake news” despite public outcry over the unusual occurrence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
Gov. Yusuf to swear in Murtala Garo as Kano deputy governor Tuesday
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
