Headlines
Opinion: Ese Oruru: A Post-Script

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed
“If you want to know the end, look at the beginning.”–African proverb
A little over four years ago, I wrote the material below in this paper.
It was intended to speak against a national hysteria being fired by our poisonous national patents of ethnic and religious stereotypes and prejudices.
I have since followed this matter even when it threatened to disappear under our penchant for finding new causes to fight over.

Last week, there was a major development around the story.
First, though, please read my comments on the matter.
“Any responsible parent of a girl of fourteen that disappears and is then reported to be with an unknown person hundreds of miles away from home will be beside themselves with worry.
“If they also hear that she has changed her religion and is planning to marry the person responsible for her disappearance, their concerns will deepen.
“They will do everything to trace the girl and utilise every available source of redress and relief to retrieve her and get justice.
“If they meet their daughter, and then encounter difficulties in retrieving her from any quarter, they will raise their voices to the high heavens in protest.
“Everyone who hears the side of the parent’s story will line up in their support.
This is what all Nigerians have done in support of the demand of the parents, relations and the community of 14 year old Ese Oruru for her return to her home in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from a village in Kano State where she has been for the last few months.
This universal support behind the return of Ese to her home is the only peg on which you could hang some sort of consensus.
Ese’s reported ill-advised elopement with a young man from Kano is presented as abduction, forceful detention, and conversion to Islam in many versions.
Sloppy handling and laxities in the operations of institutions with responsibilities to protect the weak and vulnerable are interpreted in other quarters as high level collusion to violate the fundamental and other rights of a Nigerian minor.
A saga that has been active for months, with many stops and gaps substantially outside public glare suddenly assumed the status of a national scandal with all the trappings and muck of our politics.
A child everyone should look at with responsible sympathy suddenly became the source of the rediscovery of all that is wrong with our politics and other values as a nation.
Ese was, a few months ago, one among millions of Nigerian children from whom you will buy pure water or snacks without a second look.
Today, she is at the center of an almighty row about faith, cultures and damaging politics.
Long after this dust is settled, this child will deal with the effects of our quarrels over her.
Whether she is a victim of childish impetuousness or adult abuse and cynical manipulation is not likely to matter.
Collectively, we would have further injured a child that ought to have been in school learning to be a responsible adult, with the support of her parents and community.
There are quite possibly many angles to this sad story that would have been permanently drowned by indignation and outrage from just about everyone who has scores to settle, or a cause to advance.
A range of persons and interests from the Emir of Kano to all Muslims and many northerners are likely to feel hard done because their status and faith are being portrayed in very bad light.
They will attempt to distance their faith from abduction, forceful conversion or marriage without consent of parents, to no avail.
Palace officials, police and community leaders will roll out all manner of evidence that they played their parts.
No one will care, after the devastating conclusions of social media warriors has reached many ears, galvanising opinions in support of a child who desperately needs to be freed from abduction and forced conversion and impending marriage.
Ese’s sojourn has attracted to the poor child an entire army of sympathisers, many of whom she does not need, and they do not deserve mention.
Minister of women affairs says Ese is a wake up call to improve the protection of women and child rights.
Hashtags in support of Ese’s return have been gaining support in social media.
Traditional and stereotype insults against people, regions and religions are being unearthed, with reminders of child marriages by prominent northerners, the Chibok girls, sponsored pregnancies, commercial baby factories and entire communities living off remittances from prostituting daughters in Europe filling all social media spaces.
In this bedlam, which says more about how we treat each other as adults than how we relate to our young, there are a few islands of sanity.
The governor of Bayelsa State went out of his way to engage governor of Kano State and the Emir of Kano, and publicly commended both for the roles they played in reuniting Ese with her parents.
The Kano Emirate Council released a measured statement distancing the Emir and the Emirate Council from accusations that they colluded in keeping Ese in Kano State, away from her parents.
On the other hand, the legion of shrill joiners piling on sensation and crude opportunism reminds us all that we are stuck in some deep gutters as far as inter-community relations go.
The Nation newspaper screamed an editorial that should lose it a substantial amount of respect.
It said: “The story which was, at press time still developing, has all the evil trappings of molestations, child abuse, sexual deviance, abduction, religious coercion, constitutional violation, a network of shadowy big men manipulating the law…”
This comment will force all people with a hint of civilised humanity to grit their teeth and read the trademark drivel rolled out routinely by Femi Fani-Kayode because it appears that he shares the same space with this newspaper on this matter.
Forgive me for giving this man who clearly needs help a few minutes of your time, but this is part of Fani-Kayode’s contribution on this matter: “The truth is that this is not a love story about two inseparable young people: it is rather a sad and tragic tale about pedophilia, child abduction, kidnapping, human trafficking, slavery, rape, impunity, wickedness, religious bigotry and ritual sex.
“Worse still, it is an unfolding drama at the end of which Emir Sanusi Lamido (sic) may well have a case to answer.
“The truth is that the little girl would have been raped over and over again and she may well have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDs), Vesico vaginal Fistula (VVF) or some other strange sexual disease by now”.
There must be people who enjoy this type of delusion in print, because newspapers give it space.
But Ese does not need it.
What she needs is a quiet and productive reunification with her family, and a lot of time to sort out deeply personal issues.
What we need as a nation is to move on and find other grounds for a quarrel.
Everyone involved in this sensitive issue should examine their roles, or have them examined by those who police accountability.
Where amends or restitutions need to be made, they must be made.
Ese will develop into an adult and decide what she wants to do with her life.
The best way we can help her reach that stage without further damage is to create appropriate distance between her life and our many preferences and prejudices.”
Since this piece was published, Ese was separated from Yinusa Dahiru (alias Yellow) February 2016 and taken home with a five months-old pregnancy.
She delivered a girl three months later.
Yinusa was arrested and detained in prison custody, and has been on trial until last week when he was sentenced to 26 years in prison.
He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A newspaper that had vigorous championed Ese’s case quoted her father as saying that an attempt was made to steal the baby at the Police Officer’s Mess in Yenagoa where mother and child were staying.
The same paper interviewed the father in 2018 during which he said all the promises for scholarship and support made by the Bayelsa and Delta State governments for Ese’s education were not fulfilled.
She is now in SS3, living away from, but being supported only by her father.
In all likelihood, Yinusa will appeal.
But the court of sectional opinion is already split right down the middle.
Champions of Ese’s case who paid for her lawyers hail his conviction as rightful vindication.
His sympathisers say he has been abandoned and betrayed by his own people who, in addition cannot raise their voices at the reported cases of Hausa children routinely stolen and taken to the East, culturally re-processed and converted.
Yinusa and Ese have played their roles as pawns, and they will continue to remind us that in most of our fights, there are no winners.
This, however, does not stop us fighting in filth.

Headlines
KSCHMA to integrate family planning into health contributory scheme

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) is planning to integrate family planning services into the scheme.

KANO FOCUS reports that the agency in ollaboration with the Society for Family Health organised a highly technical workshop in Kaduna Wednesday in that regard.
The workshop will also review the benefit package being offered by the Agency while also look at ways to include MNH innovations in the benefit package and finalise a clear actionable plan for immediate implementation and alignment with MAMII to reduce maternal mortality in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that Family Planning services and commodities have recently been identified as one of the ways that can grossly affect and reduce maternal mortality in Kano State and KSCHMA is fully aligned to work in tandem with efforts of the Kano State Government, the SMOH and other partners to see a remarkable reduction in Maternal Mortality.

Headlines
Dangote refinery exports two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia

NESG says FG Must Support Domestic Industries to Achieve a $1 Trillion Economy
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

Dangote Petroleum Refinery recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully exporting two jet fuel cargoes to Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer and a leading integrated oil and gas company globally.
KANO FOCUS reports that Saudi Aramco is the official Saudi Arabian Oil Company, which is a majority state-owned petroleum and natural gas company that is the national oil company of Saudi Arabia.
President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, revealed this on Tuesday during a visit by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), team to both Dangote Fertiliser Limited and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
Dangote said exporting products to the global markets, especially Saudi Aramco, was because of his refinery’s world-class standards and advanced technologies.
“We are reaching the ambitious goals we set for ourselves, and I’m pleased to announce that we’ve just sold two cargoes of jet fuel to Saudi Aramco,” he said.
Since its production began in 2024, the Dangote refinery has steadily increased its output, now reaching 550,000 barrels per day.
While commending Aliko Dangote for establishing the $20 billion refinery – the largest single-train refinery in the world – NESG Chairman, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, stated that Nigeria needs more investments of this calibre to reach its $1 trillion economy goal.
“To achieve a $1 trillion economy, much of that must come from domestic investments. I joked during the bus ride that while others are dredging to create islands for leisure, you’ve dredged 65 million cubic tonnes of sand to create a future for the country. This refinery, fertiliser plant, petrochemical complex, and supporting infrastructure are monumental,” he said. “My hope is that God grants you the strength, courage, and health to realise your ambitions and that in your lifetime, a new Nigeria will emerge.”
Yusuf emphasised that such local industries are essential to Nigeria’s industrialisation and will help foster the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). He added that the NESG would continue to advocate for an improved investment climate to attract entrepreneurs, boost development, ensure food security, and address insecurity.
He lamented that Nigeria has become a dumping ground for foreign products and stressed that the country must support its entrepreneurs to become a global player. “It’s inconceivable that a nation of over 230 million people, with an annual birth rate higher than the total population of some countries, is still dependent on imports to feed its citizens.”
Yusuf also praised Dangote’s bold vision for making Nigeria self-sufficient in several key sectors.
“The NESG is grateful, and I believe the nation is as well. This refinery represents the audacity of courage. It takes immense effort to do what you’ve done and still be standing and smiling. Thank you for inspiring us and showing that nothing is impossible. You’ve transformed Nigeria from a net importer of petroleum products to a net exporter,” he said. “We’ve all read Think Big, but this is truly about thinking big. The message is clear: the private sector can bring about real change.”
Yusuf, alongside NESG board members and stakeholders, toured the refinery and fertiliser plants, lauding the level of investment, technology, and sophistication of young Nigerian engineers running world-class laboratories and central control units. He acknowledged Dangote’s perseverance and success in overcoming numerous challenges.
Dangote, in his response, reiterated the importance of the private sector in national development, asserting that Nigeria’s challenges could largely be overcome by providing gainful employment to its people.
He stated that the concept of a free market should not be used as a pretext for continued import dependence, highlighting that both developed and developing nations, including the USA and China, actively protect their domestic industries to safeguard jobs and promote self-sufficiency. Dangote also cited the example of the Benin Republic, where cement imports are restricted as part of a deliberate strategy to protect local industries, despite the proximity of his Ibese plant.
“The President is a personal friend, and my Ibese plant is just 28km from Benin, yet they refuse to allow imports to protect their local industries, most of which are grinding plants,” he remarked.
He further emphasised that the government stands to gain substantially when the private sector flourishes, noting that 52 kobo (52%) of every naira Dangote Cement generates goes to the government.
Dangote also pointed out the significant challenges involved, in setting up industries in Nigeria, particularly the substantial capital investment required due to the lack of infrastructure. He stressed that investors are often forced to take on responsibilities for essential services such as power, roads, and ports – services that should be provided by the government.

Headlines
Gov Yusuf constructs 400 classrooms in basic schools – SUBEB chair

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has constructed 400 classrooms to decongest lower basic schools.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Alhaji Yusuf Kabir revealed this on Tuesday while receiving members of Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) who paid him an advocacy visit.

Alhaji Yusuf Kabir
The chairman added that the state government is expending billions of Naira in renovation of schools through Community Reorientation Committees (CRC) across the forty four local government areas.
He said the project is part of the governor Yusuf-led administration’s campaign promises to reform the decayed education sector in the state.


0-0x0-0-0#
Kabir appealed to corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to complement government’s effort in that direction.
He however solicited the support of K-SAFE in addressing the menace of students’ absenteeism and late coming which he described as the major challenge to effective teaching and learning.
The chairman extended an invitation to K-SAFE to be attending teachers recruitment exercises and procurement processes as he is committed to transparent and prudent management of public resources.

0-0x0-0-0#
Earlier the Co-chairperson of K-SAFE Dr Auwalu Halilu said they were in SUBEB to formally introduce the forum as accountability platform working in education sector.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE is a co-creation of government, civil society organisations and media workers aimed at improving education in Kano state.

Dr Auwalu Halilu
He assured readiness of K-SAFE members to support SUBEB in school monitoring across the nooks and crannies of the state.
Also speaking the Secretary of K-SAFE Dr Abdussalam Kani raised concerns over the alarming data frequently released by development partners and Non Governmental Organisations, which he said contradicted all obtainable indices.
He therefore called on Kano State Bureau of statistics to regulate publishing unjustifiable data by Non Governmental organisations in Kano state.
