Headlines
Kano elites betrayed my husband – Maryam Abacha
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Kano elites have betrayed late Nigerian military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, according to his widow Mrs Maryam Abacha.
She disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Kano Focus marking the 22nd memorial of late Abacha’s death.
Mrs Abacha said even though majority of Kano people still love the late Head of State, Kano elites have abandoned his family after his death on June 08, 1998.
“I hope Kano people will realize that Sani was their son.
“And this man was born in Kano in Sabon Gari and later he came to Fagge and grew up but his name is Abacha – a Kanuri name from Borno.
“He has marks, Kanuri marks on his face but he chose to be a Kano man.
“And he worked for Kano and he planted Kano people but there are people that he helped a lot but they are not even greeting me now for no reason.
“They just hate us! But why? This is a very bad attitude.
“It is Haram and Allah is watching us.” She said.
On “Abacha loot”
Mrs Abacha also defended her late husband against continuing allegations of looting Nigeria’s treasury.
“So how come this man was not a thief until he died?”
“What is this amount of money after 22 years you say oh we have found this amount of money and we’re bringing it back?”
“It’s a shame! It’s a shame to tell lies on a dead man! It’s a shame to tell lies on your leader!” she lamented.
The former first lady said General Abacha was a four-star General who had reached the pinnacle of his military career before becoming Head of state.
She said the five years Abacha spent ruling Nigeria shouldn’t overshadow all the contributions he gave right from the Civil War up to his stint as Minister of Defence.
Mrs Abacha added that the truth will eventually triumph regarding her husband’s true legacy.
“If he has done wrong God knows, if other people are putting the wrong on him it’s a matter of time.
“They will kneel down like America is kneeling down now. And everybody – a liar or a bastard – anybody that is evil will kneel down just like this Corona has come to shut this world.” She said.
Advice to Nigerians
Mrs Abacha advised Nigerians to value, respect, and love their leaders like other countries do.
Going down memory lane, Mrs Abacha said when her husband died some countries offered to erect his statues in Kano and the FCT but she rejected the offer on religious grounds.
“But unfortunately in our country no matter how hard you work and no matter how well you take care of people, it’s just a matter of ‘you are not a good person’.
“I want the youth not to only know who Abacha was or Maryam is, but I want them to know whoever it is God has risen to the pinnacle of the nation must have something good, must be hardworking, there must be something that is of value about that person whoever he is.” Mrs Abacha said.
She therefore called on Nigerians to learn to love, respect, tolerate, and value each other.
She explained that Nigerians should teach their children to accept and understand the different cultures and religions of the country.
“But the way we live in Nigeria, is what is causing all our problems – Oh you are a Fulani, this is Igbo, this is Yoruba – This will not take us anywhere.
“We should all come together as human beings not as Fulani or Hausa, or Igbo or Yoruba or Arab.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Kano State Chapter, has elected Hassan Ibrahim Gama as its new State Coordinator.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gama emerged unopposed during the coalition’s 2026 state election, which was described as peaceful and transparent.
The election was conducted by an election committee chaired by Dr. Auwalu Halilu, who said the exercise marked another milestone in strengthening the coalition’s leadership and its commitment to promoting inclusive and quality education in Kano State.
Other officers elected are Mahdi Abdullahi, Deputy Coordinator; Sunusi Hashim, Secretary; Dr. Abubakar I. Hassan, Assistant Secretary; Ghazali I. U., PRO I; Abdulbaki Mohd, PRO II; and Muhammad Abdullahi, PRO III.
Others are Garba Hamma Dikko, Provost; Rukayya Abdulrahman, Financial Secretary; Saratu Maigida, Treasurer; and Suleiman Zubair, Auditor.
Halilu expressed appreciation to the CSACEFA National Secretariat, represented at the election by its Policy Advisor, Mrs Ordinaka, for the guidance and support provided throughout the electoral process.
He also commended members of the election committee, CSACEFA Kano members and other stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring the success of the exercise.
The election committee chairman congratulated the newly elected leadership and urged them to build on the achievements of the coalition by strengthening civil society participation, advocacy, accountability and strategic partnerships.
He tasked the new executives with working towards improving education service delivery and advancing the Education for All agenda in Kano State.
The former Kano State Coordinator of CSACEFA, Prof. Muhammad Bello Shitu, and the Kano State Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) Alhaji Tijjani Haladu Baraya, were among the dignitaries who supervised the conduct of the election.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Hausa people as important pillars of Nigeria’s unity and progress.
KANO FOCUS reports that the President said the Hausa language had grown beyond its traditional boundaries to become a major language of unity and commerce across the world.
Tinubu stated this in a message posted on his verified Facebook account on the occasion of Hausa Day, being celebrated at the historic Daura Palace.
“The Hausa people are great pillars that play a vital role in the unity and progress of Nigeria,” the President said.
He added that “the Hausa language, without doubt, has flourished and has become a major language of unity and commerce across the world.”
The President congratulated the Hausa community on the occasion, describing the celebration at Daura Palace as an important event.
“I congratulate the vast Hausa community on the occasion of Hausa Day, which is being celebrated at the historic Daura Palace today,” Tinubu said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has urged Muslims across the state and Nigeria to emulate the exemplary life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as they commemorate Maulud.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call in a statement issued by his spokesman, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday.
Yusuf congratulated Muslims on the occasion and urged them to use the celebration to reflect on the life and teachings of the Prophet, particularly his virtues of peace, justice, compassion, honesty, patience and tolerance.
He called on Muslims to demonstrate these values in their daily lives while promoting peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual respect among people of diverse backgrounds.
The governor also urged parents, religious leaders and community elders to intensify efforts to educate younger generations on the teachings and exemplary conduct of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Yusuf prayed for continued peace, stability and prosperity in Kano State and Nigeria, while urging residents to support initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of citizens.
The governor also used the occasion to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, wishing them a successful first tenure and a smooth re-election bid in 2027.
He urged Muslims to use the Maulud celebration to pray for peace, progress and unity across the country, and wished the faithful a peaceful and spiritually rewarding celebration.
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