Headlines
COVID-19: Don’t attend Eid-el-Fitr prayers if you have health problems–Kano Council of Ulama
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama has warned people with preexisting health problems to avoid attending the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr prayers in Kano so as to protect themselves from contracting coronavirus.
Elderly people and those with underlying health challenges are at risk of developing serious complications if they contract coronavirus–the pathogen that causes COVID-19–a deadly respiratory illness.
Sheikh Khalil, an eminent Islamic scholar, gave the warning in an interview with KANO FOCUS on Wednesday.
Mr Khalil was responding to the decision of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to allow the conduct of the Eid and Friday prayers across the state.
He also clarified that the Ulama council did not object to the Kano government’s decision even though they were not consulted.
“Our advice is based on three things: First, the Kano government should provide items such as face masks, hand sanitizers that people can use to protect themselves at the Eid grounds.
“Secondly, people should also make efforts to ensure that they follow health regulations and guidelines such as keeping social distancing while performing the prayers.
“And thirdly, anyone who has any serious health problems should either avoid attending the Eid prayers or stay away from other worshipers if he decides to attend,” Sheikh Khalil explained.
The cleric also urged Imams that would lead the Eid prayers to deliver short sermons so that worshipers can quickly disperse.
Ganduje issues guidelines on Eid, Friday prayers
Meanwhile Mr Ganduje has issued fresh guidelines to Imams on how to conduct both the Eid and Friday prayers safely.
The governor announced the measures on Wednesday following a meeting with some Imams in the state.
“Part of the protocols handed over to them were, that prayers be conducted within a period of one hour, so as to allow people to disperse quickly, who gathered for prayers. The one hour includes that of sermon and the prayer itself. Packets of face masks were distributed to them also.
“It is necessary for whoever wants to enter into a Mosque or its surrounding to wear a face mask. To protect himself and others. Water and soap will be placed at entrance. Anyone attending must wash his hands. Sanitizer will also be there,” he said, in a statement by his spokesperson, Abba Anwar.
Mr Ganduje also appealed to the Imams to enlighten worshipers on COVID-19 and its protocols, like the use of face masks, hand washing with soap and running water, use of sanitizer among others.
“People must follow protocols for us to get rid of this global pandemic called COVID-19. That is why we decided to call you and intimate you about these protocols,” he said.
Nasiru Yusuf
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, Journalists and government officials, Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) has advocated the allocation of 1% of Internally Generated Revenue for Basic Health Care Provision Fund.
Kano Focus reports that the Co Chair of the group Maimuna Muhammad made the call on Thursday at a public hearing on the 2021 appropriation bill held at Kano state House of Assembly.
Mrs Muhammad also called for a speedy implementation of Basic Health Care Provision Fund through the allocation of 25% as counterpart fund in 2021 budget.
“The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is what goes to the community level at the grassroot level. We are talking about Basic Health Care at community level.
” We also want ensure human capital development in 2021. You will agree with me that, the level of human resources we have is dwindling. A lot of people are retiring, they are not being replaced either in health facilities or teaching.
“We want recruitment, training and retraining of personnel in health and education sectors which include nurses, doctors, CHEWs and teachers. Because without human capital development, all the structures we have on ground is going to be useless.
” We need allocation of funds for the Basic Health Care funds emergency medical treatment for oversight committee, so that they will be able to track and make sure that they provide all the services and also track resources,” Mrs Muhammad appealed.
The Co chair has also called for adequate provision of funds for emergencies such as COVID-19, Ebola and meningitis to reduce lost of lives.
Mrs Muhammad also appealed to the Assembly to ensure speedy implementation of disability law in the state.
“These are our brothers and sisters. All of us have one thing or the other. If we don’t have that law in place, we cannot target them, and they need assistance.
” Strengthening of the free and compulsory education policy. Not policy on paper, we need implementation. We are asking for that from Civil Society organizations,” The KanSLAM Co Chair appealed.
Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
Another faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano State has expressed readiness to participate in the forthcoming Local Government elections scheduled for January 2020.
Kano Focus reports that the state Interim Chairman of the faction, Muhammina Lamido announced this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.
On Tuesday, the Kwankwasiyya faction of the PDP addressed newsmen that they will not partake in the coming election.
According to Lamido, “the attention of the PDP interim administrative committee in Kano State has been drawn to a media statement accredited to one Danladi Abdulhamid, saying that the PDP in Kano State does not have candidates and may not partake in the election.
“This is far from the truth. For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP in Kano State did not authorise the said person to make the statement and does not possess the standing and mandate to make the statement.
“As matters stand, the only organ of PDP with the power to act under section 24(2)(b) of the PDP constitution.
“Is the state Executive Committee through the Interim administrative committee led by the undersigned preparations for participation in the election are on top gear and the committee shall in due cours inform the general public and Kano State Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) of its candidates for the election.
“We wish to inform you to call upon KANSIEC to consider bringing down the cost of the application forms for candidates in the election in order to make it more affordable for oppositions parties in the State.
“This is one step towards providing a level playing field and opening the political space for all. Kano State should not be turned into a one party state with the attendant consequences.” He said.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Crisis rocks Kano All Progressive Congress APC as factional Leadership under Hussaini Isa Mairiga sacked Abdullahi Abbas Executive Members loyal to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje Government.
Kano Focus reports that the factional leadership of the APC who are all members of the Legacy group that comprises defunct ANPP, CPC and ANC have been running a dissenting voice against the leadership of Abdullahi Abbas whom they accused of overstaying his welcome in the party affairs.
The legacy group alleged that the Kangaroo election that saw Abdullahi Abbas Executive into office was right from the beginning done on a very lousy foundation which was unconstitutional.
He said, “although, Abdullahi Abbas came into being as Chairman of the Party through a Kangaroo election but instead of him to try to mence fences with everybody he was busy ruling with impunity”.
Hussaini Isa Mairiga warned that, “because the fact remains that his Executive Leadership are unconstitutional and illegal body, anything that came under them is null and void”.
“In another words, what I mean is that anybody who contest the forthcoming January 2021 Local government elections under the Abdullahi Abbas Executive Leadership he is wasting his time because his election even if he wins is null and void “.
“You can see that even the process that produced all the local government Chairmen candidates was so manipulative and undemocratic, where Forms into the Context where not allowed to be sold to anybody but to their selective crannies”.
He added, “this is the hight of impunity one can see in a Democratic settings like this one we are running, that is why we unanimously agreed to remove him as Chairman and anything that came under him is null and void”.
Hussaini Isa Mairiga urgently called on the Party Headquarters in Abuja to send in caretaker Leadership that will see to the election of a new leadership for party prosperity in Kano, warning that failure to do so will lead to the total failure and collapse of the party in the State.
KanSLAM advocates allocation of 1% Kano IGR to Basic Health Care Fund
Crisis rocks Kano PDP, as two factions differ in LG election
Crisis rocks Kano APC, faction sacks Exco loyal to Ganduje
CSOs fault newspaper story on SSS Director
Kano Govt deploys 50 doctors to Primary Health Centres
Sheikh Abdulwahab calls FG, ASUU to end university strike
KUST to begin part-time Degree
Kano gets one-day commissioner of education
Ganduje directs JSS 1, SS 1 Students to resume schools Monday
