Headlines
Five factors that increase divorce rate in Kano
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 not 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.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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