Headlines
Kano Assembly stalls Ganduje’s bill to elevate Emir Bayero, return Dan Agundi as Kingmaker
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano state House of Assembly has postponed deliberations on a bill for the amendment of the 2019 Kano Emirate Council law.
Kano Focus reports that the Assembly had earlier planned to tackle the bill on Monday but decided to go on Sallah Break till August 24.
Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje had on Wednesday sought the Assembly’s permission to make the Emir of Kano permanent chairman of the state Emirate council thereby elevating his rank above the remaining four first class emirs.
The bill also seeks to include the holder of the newly created Sarkin Dawaki Babba title among the Kingmakers of the Kano Emirate.
Exiled Kano emirs and their privileges
Emir of Kano gets new appointment
Emir Bayero reverses father, returns Dan Agundi to Emirate Council
It could be recalled that the Kano Emirate had appointed Aminu Babba Dan Agundi to the new position after a Supreme Court verdict upheld the decision of late Emir Ado Bayero to depose him as Kingmaker and Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta 17 years ago.
Plot to sabotage new emirates
The decision to reinstate Mr Dan Agundi has been characterized by analysts as a means to downgrade the four first class emirates created by the Ganduje administration, a charge that the government has denied.
Professor of History, Dahiru Yahaya told Kano Focus that Mr Dan Agundi’s re-appointment to the Kano Emirate Council is a threat to the sustainability of the four new emirates created by the Kano state governor.
Mr Yahya said Mr Dan Agundi will use his position to help the Kano emir in bringing down the four newly created emirates of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye.
“Reappointing him is like digging a hole for the other emirates, because he is a powerful man – if he returns to the Kano emirate he will collaborate with the Emir of Kano and destroy the other four emirates.” He said.
The historian observed that even though the emir has the power to re-appoint any deposed title holder, reappointing Dan Agundi was the highest form of disregard to the rule of law and the traditional institution.
“Going by the Supreme Court’s judgment that the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was right to remove Sarkin Dawaki, it means what Sarkin Dawaki did was wrong, and if he was wrong, why should the emir now turban a wrongdoer?
“What I am saying, in essence, is that it is not right to turban somebody who was said to be wrong by the Supreme Court, even if you are giving him another title, it’s wrong and shameful.” He said.
Baseless claim
However, Special Adviser to Kano state governor on council of emirs Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka said reinstating Mr Dan-Agundi will not pose any threat to the existence of the other four emirates.
“Aminu Babba will not cooperate with the Kano emirate to bring down other emirates rather he will help the emirate in bringing cordial relation among them.
“As the Emir of Kano will permanently chair the Council of Emirs, he will not do anything to sabotage the other emirates being the pioneer Emir of one of the new emirates.” Mr Sanka said.
He also debunked claims that it is against Kano tradition to re-appoint deposed title holders.
“Emir of Kano Alu deposed his young brother Galadima Mahmudu, and Emir Usman re-appointed him as Magajin Gari.
“Also Wamban Kano Abubakar was removed from his position and Emir Ado Bayero returned him as Dan Buran after he repented”
“Sarkin Dawaki admitted his wrongdoing to the Emir and repented, that’s why he is set to be returned by the Emir.”
Mr Sanka also denied that Governor Ganduje might have forced Emir Aminu Bayero to reverse his late father’s decision.
“If the governor was the one who forced the Emir to return him, why are we still waiting for his approval?
“He has no hand in this and I tell you all these are baseless rumors.” Mr Sanka said.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
