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Edo governorship election: Ganduje, Shekarau, Kwankwaso canvass Northern community
Nasiru Yusuf
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, who is the Chairman APC Gubernatorial Election in Edo state, and his former boss Rabi’u Kwankwaso have visited Northern community residing in Edo state soliciting votes for their candidates.
At a special campaign rally at Eyean/Kara Junction 2+2, a densely populated community of Northerners, that took place, Sunday, Mr Ganduje told them that, the upcoming Saturday election, was a struggle for freedom and emancipation.
He challenged the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that what Edo people need is “An indigenous governor who has indigenous knowledge of the state and who was born, bred and schooled in Edo state.
“We are here for a history, for a memorable occasion. History has been made here today. This election is won by the Grace of Allah, as we are presenting to you, somebody who is loved by his people. People should come out and vote enmasse.”
Mr Ganduje urged the Northern communities to continue living in peace with their host reminding them that security is one of the major concerns of APC in the state.
Former National Chairman of the party Adams Oshiomhole and the gubernatorial candidate Ize-Iyamu expressed their profound appreciation, and charged the gathering to vote APC in the forthcoming governorship election.
The former governor of Kano state and senator representing Kano central in the Senate Ibrahim Shekarau, who spoke at the rally, urged voters to always be ready to support the party during the polls, adding that, “Voters should strive hard to conduct themselves peacefully during the election. I am also urging you to work hard and pray hard.”
Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the gubernatorial candidate for APC, promised to bring back peace and security of the state, when elected into office, come September 19th, this year.
Arewa community endorses APC
Chairman of All Arewa Communities in Edo state Badamasi Babangida, who spoke on behalf of all Arewa communities in the state, assured the gathering that, their votes were entirely for APC’s Ize-Iyamu at the governorship polls.
He recalled that, Arewa communities started facing challenges in Edo state shortly after 8 year tenure of Oshiomhole when the current governor Godwin Obaseki started running the affairs of the state.
He later presented a Letter of Endorsement to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Ize-Iyamu through governor Ganduje reassuring their total and unalloyed support to his candidature.
Mr Ganduje has also paid a visit to the Enogie of Eyaen, Osazuwa Iduriase in his palace where he commended the him for a peaceful reign over his jurisdiction.
“Your Royal Highness we are in Edo to address the Northern communities and ask for their support to vote for our candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election, slated for this Month of September, on 19th.”
“As we are aware that our traditional rulers are fathers to all, we still believe that, good children seek blessings of their fathers. That is why we are here,” he said.
The visit, according to the governor, marks the beginning of good relationship between Kano state and the palace of the Enogie.
In his brief remarks, the Enogie showed his appreciation of the visit and thanked the governor for the respect accorded them few months back when the Oba of Benin was in Kano for a special visit then.
“I am, on behalf of my people, commending you, Your Excellency, the governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for promoting peaceful election in our state,” he concluded.
Kwankwaso commissions Hajj Camp
Also on Saturday the former governor of Kano state Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accompanied the Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki to seek the votes of Northern community residing in Benin City, Edo state.
Mr Kwankwaso has also commissioned Edo state Hajj Camp in Benin city with an appeal to Muslim community to turn out en masse on September 19 to vote PDP.
He described governor Obaseki as the bridge builder between Northern Nigeria and southern part of the country.
The former governor commended Obaseki’s sterling performance in his four year term, noting that he deserved reelection to consolidate on this achievement.
“Let me also thank Edo people and Muslims in the state for supporting present administration in the state.
“This is the time for all of us who have our Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) and are eligible to vote to come out en masse and ensure that we cast our votes for the PDP.
“I equally appeal to all of you especially those from the Northern part of the country to ensure you cast votes for the PDP come September 19, 2020.
“Please vote for the PDP, defend your votes and ensure Obaseki and his deputy, Shaibu win the forthcoming election in the state. I also call on you to ensure you pray for a peaceful atmosphere in the state.
“On the day of the election remember what the governor has done for the Muslims as well as the entire people of Edo state. I am glad to have an opportunity to commission this Hajj Camp. Thank you, your excellency for the way you handled Muslims as well as the support you have given to them in the state,” Kwankwaso added.
In his remarks the PDP governorship candidate Obaseki thanked the Muslims for ensuring peaceful coexistence with people of other religions in the state as the peace enjoyed in the state has led to the development recorded in all the local government areas.
“We should see our strength in diversity. As a government we are for all Edo people. We have never had any difficult in attending to the needs of Edo,” the governor said.
Mr Obaseki applauded former governor Kwankwaso for participating in the commissioning of Hajj Camp in the state, assuring the Muslim community of more developmental projects if reelected.
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.
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Experts in reproductive health have called for improved access to contraceptive services in Nigeria, saying women and girls should be provided with accurate information and the freedom to make informed choices about family planning.
KANO FOCUS reports that they made the call on Wednesday during a virtual engagement organised by the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) to mark the 2026 World Contraception Day.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps (CBHG), Dr Moriam Jagun, said misconceptions surrounding family planning remained a major barrier to contraceptive uptake.
Dr Moriam Jagun
Jagun said neither Islam nor Catholicism was against family planning, urging the media and health stakeholders to address religious and cultural misconceptions with accurate information.
She said fears that contraceptive use could cause infertility, cancer, excessive bleeding and other health problems also discouraged some women from using family planning methods.
According to her, such concerns should not simply be dismissed as myths, but should be addressed through honest counselling and evidence-based information that enables women to make informed decisions.
Jagun said contraceptive prevalence remained low in Nigeria, putting the national average at about 15 per cent, compared with 31 per cent in Lagos.
She also cited research showing that educated people were more likely to embrace family planning than those with lower levels of education.
She therefore called for greater attention to marginalised, vulnerable and underserved communities, saying national averages could conceal significant inequalities in access to reproductive health services.
Jagun said access should not be measured simply by whether contraceptives were available in health facilities.
She identified financial, physical, social, cultural and religious, as well as informational barriers that could prevent women from accessing services even when contraceptives were available.
“Availability is not the same as access,” she stressed, noting that a woman could have contraceptives available at a health facility but still be unable to obtain them because of cost, distance, stigma, provider attitudes or lack of information.
She also cautioned healthcare providers against allowing personal beliefs or biases to interfere with professional responsibilities, particularly when dealing with young and unmarried women seeking contraception.
According to her, providers should inform and support clients rather than make reproductive decisions on their behalf.
Jagun further urged stakeholders to prioritise adolescents, rural women, women with disabilities and other underserved populations in the design and delivery of family planning services.
She said the success of family planning should not be measured only by the number of women accepting contraceptives, but also by whether clients were properly informed, offered options, made voluntary choices and retained the freedom to change or discontinue a method.
On the role of the media, she urged journalists to rely on accurate and evidence-based information and avoid sensational reporting.
She also advised the media to clearly distinguish family planning and contraception from abortion in their reporting to prevent misinformation and confusion.
Presenting on the theme “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention, Access,” Executive Director of Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), Mrs Alu Azege, said contraceptive access should be viewed beyond the mere availability of commodities.
Mrs Alu Azege
Azege, who is also Chair of the Media and Visibility Subcommittee of the 9th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, said genuine access required women to have information, options, privacy, affordability, respectful counselling and freedom from pressure or judgment.
She said the word “all” in the World Contraception Day theme was particularly significant, stressing that contraceptive access should include unmarried young women, adolescents, widows, market women, students and other groups that could face barriers to services.
Azege described the media as an important channel for reproductive health information, particularly as young people increasingly encounter contraceptive information through social media before meeting healthcare providers.
She said traditional media could complement social media by verifying information, debunking myths, amplifying questions from young people and holding authorities accountable for gaps in health service delivery.
She also highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, saying AI could provide personalised, private and accessible reproductive health information, but warned that bias, misinformation and unequal access to technology could undermine its benefits.
In her welcome address, President of NRHJN, Mrs Oluyinka Shokunbi, said every Nigerian woman and girl should have access to safe contraception and the ability to decide if, when and how often to have children.
Mrs Oluyinka Shokunbi
Shokunbi said contraceptive access could help prevent unintended pregnancies, improve maternal and child health and advance women’s ability to pursue education, careers and participation in public life.
She said cultural, religious and information barriers continued to limit access to contraception, while young people were increasingly turning to social media and artificial intelligence for sexual health information.
She called for unhindered access to accurate information and contraceptive choices, particularly for women and girls who remain underserved by existing health systems.
KANO FOCUS reports that the engagement was held under the 2026 World Contraception Day theme,“No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now!”
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