Headlines
Blasphemy: UNICEF urges federal, Kano governments to reverse sentence
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on the federal and Kano state governments to reverse a Shari’a Court judgment sentencing a minor to 10 years imprisonment for blasphemy.
Kano Focus reports that UNICEF representative in Nigeria Peter Hawkins made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“The sentencing of this child – 13-year-old Omar Farouk – to 10 years in prison with menial labor is wrong.
“It also negates all core underlying principles of child rights and child justice that Nigeria – and by implication, Kano State – has signed on to.” Mr Hawkins said.
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It could be recalled that on August 10, 2020 a Shari’a Court sitting at Filin Hockey, Kano sentenced Omar Farouk having found him guilty of committing blasphemy during an argument with friends.
A Lagos-based lawyer Kola Alapinni appealed against the sentence on September 09, 2020.
Mr Hawkins said the sentence contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act.
“This case further underlines the urgent need to accelerate the enactment of the Kano State Child Protection Bill so as to ensure that all children under 18, including Omar Farouq are protected – and that all children in Kano are treated in accordance with child rights standards,” said Mr Hawkins.
Kano state will not reverse judgment
However, spokesperson of the Kano High Courts Baba Jibo Ibrahim said the state government has not officially received UNICEF’s complaint.
Mr Ibrahim told Kano Focus that even when UNICEF lodges an official complaint the state government cannot overturn the judgment.
He noted that UNICEF is established by law and it knows that all nations and states have their own laws.
“Their allegation is false and selfish because they have no right to tell us what our laws should be.” He said.
Mr Ibrahim told Kano Focus that Omar Farouk is 16 years not 13 as claimed by UNICEF.
He added that Farouk was convicted for blasphemy according to the Kano State Shari’a Penal Code 2000 and Kano State Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
“He was convicted for an offence whose punishment is death but because he is a minor, the Kano state Sharia Code says he will not be sentenced to death but given a severe punishment.” Mr Ibrahim said.
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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