Headlines
Kano Ulama ask Assembly to enact blasphemy law
Nasiru Yusuf
A Coalition of Ulama in Kano State and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have urged the state’s Assembly to enact a blasphemy law in the State.
Kano Focus reports that the coalition expressed their decision on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Abdulazeez Gafasa.
Speaking during the visit, a member of the coalition, Ibrahim Muazzam said the decision was made during a public lecture over the blasphemy on Prophet Muhammad PBUH by Emmanuel Macron, the France President.
According to Muazzam, the decision was necessary to prevent such irresponsible act in the State, saying the act is capable of breaking the existing peace and unity in Kano.
He explained that following the Macron’s statement on Prophet Muhammad, the coalition immediately embarked on consultations to prevent any violent reaction that can threaten the peace.
Muazzam said, “Our resolutions include, that the state government should replace the teaching of French language in all schools with Arabic language.
“Muslims should boycott French products as well as their economic, financial and political interests until France is pulled down to its knees.
“Muslims worldwide should consider Macron and his administration as paragons of Islamophobia
“Muslims should re-affirm their faith in, and love of, Prophet Muhammad (Upon Whom is Peace) and should strive to spread his message and character of mercy and peace.”
“United Nations Organization (UNO) to prevail upon its agencies as well as international NGOs to desist from supporting all acts of blasphemy and to caution them that freedom of speech does not extend to infringement on other people’s faith.”
In his response, the Speaker of the House Mr. Gafasa assured the coalition of the assembly’s readiness to enact any law that can support the existing peace and unity in the State.
According to him, the assembly is 100 percent in support of their resolutions, saying the coalition will be invited when the lawmakers returned from recess for further deliberations on the issue.
He commended the coalition for their efforts towards ensuring that the long existing peace in the State continue to remain.
“We are fully in support of the resolution, and we are going to do everything within our power to ensure the enactment of the law, and also the enforcement.
“In those areas that we have no power over it, we are going to write to the relevant authorities on the issue.” The speaker said.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has inaugurated the Kano Online Media Chapel, marking a new chapter for digital journalism in the state.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday at the NUJ Secretariat, was attended by top government officials, media executives, and stakeholders, including the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ambassador Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, and the NUJ Kano Council Chairman, Comrade Suleiman A. Dederi.
During the event, the following officials were sworn in to lead the new Chapel:
• Chairman: Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo (Publisher, Independent Post)
• Vice Chairman: Kahdija Aliyu (Publisher, Paradigm News)
• Secretary: Isiyaku Ahmad (Publisher, Stallion Times)
• Assistant Secretary: Zahrau Nasir Ahmed (Publisher, Daily Watch 24)
• Financial Secretary: Zainab Abdurrahman Mai Agogo (Publisher, Kakaki24)
• Treasurer: Abbas Yushau Yusuf (Publisher, Nigeria Tracker)
• Auditor: Musa Ahmad Durumin Iya (Publisher, Alifijir News)
In his acceptance speech, Chairman Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, emphasizing that the Online Media Chapel would not compete with traditional media but complement it.
He stressed the importance of promoting ethical, responsible, and impactful journalism in the digital era, pledging to uphold the highest standards of truth, fairness, and integrity.
“We are committed to fostering professionalism, unity among practitioners, and building the capacity of online journalists to meet global standards,” Dangambo said.
Commissioner Waiya described the inauguration as a historic moment for Kano State, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting media reforms. He called on all online practitioners to embrace unity and professionalism, promising that all necessary support would be provided to strengthen the Chapel.
The formation of the Kano Online Media Chapel is seen as a major milestone aimed at uniting online journalists under one umbrella to ensure the delivery of authentic, reliable, and development-driven information to the public.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Friday nabbed a 60-year-old grandma Safiya Shamsu at Samegu area of Kumbotso LGA with 5.6kg skunk, a strain of cannabis.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Femi Babafemi announced this in a statement issued on Sunday.
The statement added that another suspect Muntari Labaran, 35, was taken into custody following the seizure of 100 litres of codeine syrup from him at Yalwa quarters of Dala LGA.
“In another major interdiction in Jigawa state with a follow up operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence on Wednesday 23rd April seized consignments of opioids being moved from Kano to Niger Republic and Yobe state through Jigawa.
“The psychoactive substances were being moved in a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked ABJ 182 NW at about 2:30am on Wednesday along Kano- Ringim road, Gumel town when anti-narcotic officers on patrol intercepted them with two suspects: Abba Ibrahim, 28, and Shuaibu Umar, 29 arrested.
“Recovered from the Sienna vehicle were 200,000 pills of tramadol 250mg and 217,500 capsules of pregabalin. A swift follow up operation in Kano led to the arrest of the supplier, 41-year-old Jamilu Muhammad, at his residence located at Mil Tara, Layin Technical area of Kano while additional 1,584,000 pills of tramadol 250mg stacked inside a Nissan 18-seater bus marked DAL 372 XA and a room in his house were discovered and evacuated. This brings the total number of the recovered opioids to 2,001,500 pills,” the statement added.
While commending the officers and men of Kano,and some Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that the airlift of pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise will officially commence on May 13, 2025.
The Chairman of the Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, revealed this during an inspection visit to Hajj training centers in Ungogo and Bichi Local Government Areas.
The visit was part of the state’s preparations for a smooth and successful Hajj operation this year.
Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u stated that, according to the schedule released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Kano State will be among the first to begin the airlift of pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, using Max Air airline.
He emphasized that the Board had concluded all necessary arrangements ahead of time to guarantee a seamless transportation process and to ensure the welfare of pilgrims throughout the exercise.
Speaking during the visit, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, urged intending pilgrims to consistently attend the Hajj training sessions organized across the state.
He explained that the training was crucial for educating the pilgrims on the rites of Hajj and ensuring they perform the religious exercise properly.
Alhaji Yusif also cautioned pilgrims to comply fully with the guidelines set by both Nigerian authorities and Saudi Arabian officials to avoid any disruptions during the pilgrimage.
The Chairman, alongside board members, committee members, and directors, participated in the visit to assess the level of preparedness at the training centers.
The Board reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Kano pilgrims and ensuring a successful 2025 Hajj operation.
Dangambo Leads as NUJ Inaugurates Kano Online Media Chapel
NDLEA Intercepts over 2 million pills of tramadol in Kano
Kano Pilgrims board to Begin Airlift to Saudi Arabia May 13
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