Headlines

Edo governorship election: Ganduje, Shekarau, Kwankwaso canvass Northern community

Published

4 days ago

September 14, 2020

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.

Headlines

Five factors that increase divorce rate in Kano

Published

37 mins ago

September 18, 2020

Kano Focus

Aminu Abdullahi

A sociologist at Bayero University Kano (BUK) Aminu Sabo Dambazau has identified five factors that increase the rate of divorce in Kano state.

Mr Dambazau told Kano Focus on Thursday that the factors including mismatched characters, rivalry, forced marriage, suspicion, and dissatisfaction.

Mismached characters

Mr Dambazau said intending couples rush into marriage without understanding each other.

“Some people misuse the courtship period in solely expressing their feelings without exploring the characters and expectations of their partners.

“They neither understand the obligations and responsibilities of marriage nor do they have the chance to find out the characters, habits, and life views of each other.

“Therefore after marriage when their true characters appear they would start to have problem in their marriages.” Mr Dambazau said.

Rivalry

The scholar said about 45% of divorce cases in Kano state are caused by co-wife rivalry.

He said a lot of marriages come to an end the moment the husband starts wooing a second wife.

“Most women do not accept a co-wife and prefer to end the marriage than share their husbands with another woman.

“This habit leads to the breakup of many marriages,” he stated.

Forced marriage

Mr Dambazau said another major factor that causes divorce in Kano state is forced marriage.

He said women are still forced into marrying a man they do not love due to financial or social pressure on the parents.

“Whenever a wife doesn’t like her husband she will do anything possible to get a divorce.

“Frankly speaking, forced marriage will never last as no one can stay with a person he hates,” he stated.

Suspicion

The BUK sociologist said suspicion among couples contributes immensely to the high rate of divorce in Kano state.

“No couple will live in peace as long as they are suspicious of one another.

“Unfortunately this is a growing problem as some women always check their husband’s phones in order to find incriminating evidence.” Mr Dambazau said.

Dissatisfaction

He added that some husbands fail to gratify the needs of their wives such as feeding, clothing, and sexual desire.

“Whenever a husband fails to feed his wife he will get respect from her.

“How will you marry a woman when you cannot cater for her needs?

“This is what is happening in our society.” The lecturer said.

The road to divorce

Some divorcees in Kano corroborated the scholar’s findings.

Maryam Abdullahi, mother of a one year old child said she left her husband after a year because he refused to allow her continue with her studies.

“I was married off to him immediately after completing secondary school even though I told my parents that I want to continue to a higher institution.

“Before the marriage, he promised to allow me continue with my education but he broke the promise after our wedding.” She said.

Ms Abdullahi said she does not regret her decision to end the marriage.

“By God’s will I’ll fulfill my ambition and I’m optimistic to have my desired husband,” Maryam said.

Unfair husband

Another divorcee Surayya Abubakar whose marriage ended after eight months said her husband was giving priority to her co-wife.

“He favored her over me and used to buy things for her that he was not buying for me.

“When I complained, he divorced me.

“Our parents met several times but the mediation was in vain as he did not change.

“I also asked him if I was offending him but he said I wasn’t.” Ms Abubakar said.

I’ll never marry again

But Ramla Yusuf whose marriage lasted five months explained that her husband was a fraud who posed as a rich business man before the marriage.

“I realized that he was a liar during the wedding dinner when he couldn’t provide the bridal gown.

“He lied that he owned a big house but I was taken to an old rental house.

“It turned out that he was jobless and penniless.

“I really suffered in his hand and after only five months I asked him to divorce me.” She said.

Ms Yusuf added that she does not plan to marry again as she didn’t know that marriage could be so painful.

Dirty woman

On his part, a male divorcee, Usman Shehu said he divorced his wife after a year of marriage because she was dirty and did not know how to cook delicious meals.

“I cautioned her to change her habit but she refused and I also complained to her parents but still nothing changed.

“I swear she can spend two days without taking a bath – she was not a wife anybody will bear to live with,” Mr Shehu said.

Another person Umar Ibrahim said he divorced his wife because she did not respect him and his family.

“We married for love but I did not know she was bad until she came to my house.

“She cheated me severely and also inflicted tension between my family and I,” he lamented.

Mr Ibrahim said has been sleeping well since he divorced her two months ago.

How to reduce divorce in Kano

Mr Dambazau, who has a PhD in Sociology, said the best means of reducing the rate of divorce in Kano state is to revive the defunct Zauren Sulhu community forum established by the Ibrahim Shekarau administration.

“Zauren Sulhu was one of the ways to discuss community issues such as marital problems.

“The forum will listen to both sides and counsel them without leading to divorce. He said.

Mr Dambazau said the families of the couples can mediate and save the marriages from divorce.

Islamic perspective

An Islamic cleric Nuhu Muhammad said there are things that couples should observe before getting married.

“Every woman or man should make sure their partner has Islamic knowledge and good character.

“Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said you should marry whoever you agree with his religiosity,” he said.

Mr Muhammad advised couples to avoid telling lies before marriage because most marriages breakdown due to false expectations.

“They don’t display who they are because they blindly want to possess each other so after the marriage when the truth is revealed they divorce.” The Islamic scholar said.

He therefore advised couples to build their marriages based on the teachings of Islam and exercise patience with one another.

Headlines

Hisbah nabs 4 teenagers for illicit sex

Published

1 hour ago

September 18, 2020

Kano Focus

Zulaiha Danjuma

The Kano state Hisbah Board has arrested four teenagers engaged in illicit sex at Dorayi area of Kano metropolis.

Hisbah spokesperson, Lawan Ibrahim Fagge said two young men lured two female teenagers from Medile into a love nest at Dorayi.

Mr Fagge said one of the girls spent five days with the men while the other spent three days before they were arrested following a tip off from her brother.

He said one of the young men is the caretaker of the house while the other is his friend.

He added that both couples had been taken to court.

Headlines

Court summons KAROTA MD over tricycle tracker

Published

2 hours ago

September 18, 2020

Kano Focus

Mukhtar Yahya Usman

A magistrate court has issued a criminal summons to the Managing Director of Kano Road Transport Agency (KAROTA), for allegedly defrauding Adai-daita Sahu tricycle operators.

Kano Focus reports that the presiding judge of the court sitting at Gidan Murtala Kano, Muhammad Jibril ordered Bappa Babba Dan Agundi to appear on September 30.

Counsel to the tricycle operators, Abba Hikima filed a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating against Mr Dan Agundi.

Mr Hikima told Kano Focus that the KAROTA MD had issued stickers to tricycle operators who had paid N8,000 each for an electronic tracking device.

“We feel this is a breach of trust and it’s contrary to section 311 and 320 of the penal code of Kano State and can lead to imprisonment for not less than 7 years,” he said.