Headlines
COVID-19: Eid prayers to hold in Kano as ‘Hawan Sallah’ is canceled
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano state government has agreed to allow Eid-el-Fitr prayers to hold across the state after reaching an agreement with Islamic scholars and Imams on safety measures against COVID-19 to be observed during the ritual.
This was announced by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who held a meeting with Islamic clerics at the Government House, Kano on Monday.
“Government also considers it convenient to allow the conduct of Eid prayers in all five emirates in the state under strict observance of safety and prevention protocols,” Mr Ganduje said.
Ban on Friday prayers also lifted
Mr Ganduje also said Friday prayers, which have been banned in the state for weeks, would now be performed with the supervision of the Kano Hisbah board, which would ensure that worshippers comply with safety measures.
He explained that movement would be eased three times in a week–on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, adding that the free hours are from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
“In this regard, we have briefed the Hisbah board to hold meeting with Imams and also deploy its personnel to Friday mosques across the state to ensure that worshippers comply with personal hygiene through maintaining of social distancing, hand washing and use of sanitizers,” he said.
‘Hawan Sallah’ canceled
Mr Ganduje however said all festivities including the traditional ‘Hawan Sallah’ (Sallah durbar) have been canceled across all five emirates in the state.
“However, there will be no Sallah festivals in all emirates including the traditional Hawan Sallah,” the governor said.
“While government of Kano state will also continue to work toward ensuring that together we stand to fight the deadly (coronavirus) disease,” he added.
PTF slams fresh 2 weeks lockdown in Kano
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has declared a fresh 2-week lockdown in the state, after the initial lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 27, 2020 expired last week.
Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha said the renewed restriction of movement would allow the government to further check the spread of the coronavirus disease.
“Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which stricter enforcement and persuasion measures will be pursued,” he said during the daily media briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja.
According to Mr Mustapha, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved recommendations including the following:
“Maintain the existing lockdown order in Kano for an additional two weeks;
“Imposition of precision lockdown in states, or in metropolitan/high-burden LGAs, that are reporting a rapidly increasing number of cases, when the need arises.
“This would be complemented with the provision of palliatives and continued re-evaluation of the impact of the interventions; and Aggressive scale up of efforts to ensure that communities are informed, engaged and participating in the response with enhanced public awareness in high risk states.”
Nasiru Yusuf
THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has carved out a new Kano transmission region from the old Kaduna Region.
KANO FOCUS reports that the newly established unit brings the number of TCN regional centres to 10.
The TCN believes the step will improve commercial activities in the state.
A statement issued by TCN General manager of Public Affairs Ndidi Mbah explained that the creation of the Kano Transmission Region became necessary owing to the rapid economic and industrial development being witnessed within Kano State and its environs, as well as the gradual implementation of TCN’s strategic ‘Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP),’ which has enabled the transmission company to complete some ongoing projects and increase the number of substations within that axis.
He said the Kano Transmission Region had, under its supervision, one sub-regional office and several work centers, all housing 13 transmission substations (TS), including the Kumbotso TS, Dan Agundi TS, Dakata TS, Tamburawa TS, Kwanar Dangora TS, Wudil TS, Kankia TS, Katsina TS, Daura TS, Dutse TS, Hadejia TS, Azare TS, and Gagarawa TS.
The new Kano region currently according to the statement has ongoing transmission substation projects which when completed would further increase bulk transmission capacity in the new region.
The new Kano Transmission Region, the company said, would deepen operational efficiency within the region and enable its engineers to readily access and resolve technical issues within the new region.
Mbah explained that prior to the creation of the new Kano Region, major decisions had to be referred to Kaduna Region for directives, and the supply of materials was sometimes delayed due to logistic issues from Kaduna.
Mbah noted that the proximity of the new region would radically reduce downtime and eliminate time lost when materials had to be conveyed from the Kaduna Region.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Department of State Services have arrested another blasphemous singer, Ahmad Abdul, whose song was perceived to create chaos in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Singer Ahmad Abdul was detained by the DSS because his free movement may likely cause violence reaction from Kano residents.
While in detention, Mr Abdul tender apology to entire Muslims, Kano state government and Islamic Scholars.
He told DSS operatives that he never thought that the song has violated Islamic teachings.
Commenting while witnessing the bail condition granted to Mr Abdul at the DSS Headquarters, Kano, the Executive Secretary of the Kano state Censorship Board Ismaila Naaba Afakallah recalled that he had received hundreds of petitions against the song from concerned citizens.
Afakallah said having realized the gravity of the song’s blasphemy, he reported the singer to DSS who swung into action and arrested him at a Hotel where he was hiding for days.
Mr Abdul Father, Abdullahi Isa thanked the DSS for their timely response on the matter which saved possible outbreak of law and order.
Also in August last year, An upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state has found one Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp.
However, the appellate division of the High Court of Kano State had on January 21 quashed the death sentence passed on Mr Sharif-Aminu and freed him.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The deposed Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II says he is not interested in contesting for the presidency of Nigeria.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Sunusi revealed this at a Tijjnaniyya zikir held in Abuja on Thursday.
Muhammadu Sanusi said his current position as Tijjaniyya Khalifa in Nigeria is superior to the presidency.
The deposed Emir however said he is ready to help those he believe in their competence to win elections without his participation in politics.
“If we trust a candidate is out to serve the people, we will come out and help them.
“That is not joining politics but a civic duty to the nation and its citizens” Mr. Sanusi said.
TCN creates Kano transmission region
DSS arrests singer accuse of blasphemy
I’ll not run for President – Muhammadu Sanusi II
Vigilantes arrest grave robber in Kano
Man arrested with over N1bn cash at Kano airport
‘Yan Sanda sun kama mutum 63 da ke addabar Kano
Ya kamata a yi dokar ‘kisa’ kan masu kwacen waya a Kano-al’umma
Kallon gobara: Mutane sama da 70 sun kone a Kano
Matashi a Kano ya cakawa dan cikin matar yayansa wuka
