Opinion
Stop the Axe: Kano Zoological and Botanical Garden next on line of destruction
Prof. Yusuf M. Adamu PhD, MNAL
Kano city, now metropolis is an important chapter in the history of world urbanization and if we describe Kano as the queen of Hausaland and the princess of western Sudan, we wouldn’t be mistaken. History makes a place and it is not just the passage of time that makes history but the different layers of cultural attributes that creates the landscape which people are associated with. What makes Kano tick like all great cities, is its ability to absorb its residents into its citizenship thereby getting their loyalty and trust.
History of Kano Zoological Garden
In July 1971, the military governor of Kano State, Audu Bako laid the foundation stone for the Kano Zoo and by November 1972, it was completed. The late visionary Governor in his opening speech on November 14 said to the gathering “I am surprised to hear from a lot of people, including those who call themselves elites criticizing my idea of establishing a zoo or game reserve and not only that but also making it an item of mockery. I am openly condemning such people as people without foresight and wisdom. I am glad to say that there are not many of them in Nigeria for otherwise, general progress would have been retarded.” In concluding his speech, he said “In the name of God, I declare the Kano Zoological Garden open for the general public of Nigeria and anybody from outside the country, and I pray that it will serve mankind forever. To the people of Kano State, I hand to you this zoo as an object of pride. Please hold it as an egg. May God help us?”
When Police Commissioner Audu Bako the Governor of Kano State commissioned the zoological garden he informed the gathering that the Zoo was the only one of its kind in West Africa and it was the intention of his government ‘to develop this zoo into one of the best in Africa’ The late Audu Bako made the statement above not knowing what we will be discussing 48 years after. This is an historical preamble to contextualize the issue at hand. I am talking about the perhaps largest protected ecosystem in one of the largest indigenous cities of Africa: the Audu Bako Zoological and Botanical garden located in Kano, Nigeria. The satellite image shows the current status of the area. Note the contrast between the green area and the settled area. The proposed relocation will make the green zone bare too.
Like other important landmarks of this great city, the Kano Zoo is next on the destruction list by Kano State Government. In the last 21 years, we have witnessed the systematic erasure of Kano’s historical and cultural signatures that gave the city its identity. Its planning system have been debased, the reserved low-density areas are downgraded to high density areas, the lands of public institutions like the Kano State Polytechnic Daula Hotel and Triumph Publishing Company, have been sold, all the open spaces and green spaces have been converted to largely commercial land uses. All the parks and gardens in the metropolis have been sold. . So much mismanagement of land resources is taking place in Kano all in the name of development. One question we wish the State Government will answer is who the buyers of the sold public lands are. It will be great to have a list.
Kano is a dual city where two cities (Indigenous and township) living side by side. With an estimated population of 4-5 million, the city is in utmost need of more green areas.The zoo is perhaps the largest existing green area in the metropolis with a 53 hactre land devoted to plants and animals. It is amazing that other large city of the word such as New York which is the world’s commercial centre with a population roughly twice as that of Kano metropolis sees the need to maintain a green area despite the need for business premises and the billions they will generate as tax. The Central park which is the largest and most important public park in Manhattan occupies a whooping 340 hectares of land (6.4 times the size of Kano Zoo) covering about 4km. It was established in 1857 and opened in 1876, it is still there standing and serving mankind. The green spaces in London occupy over 142 hectares. Take some parks for example Central park is 3.41km2, English garden is 3.75km2, Regent’s park occupies 166 hectares, in fact London is 40% public green space including 3000 parks. These two cities are commercial centres, yet they understand the importance of vegetation to their survival.
satelite image of Kano Zoo
Kano state Government plans to relocate the Garden
Three weeks ago, the Kano State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Ibrahim Ahmed announced that the Governor of Kano State has ordered the relocation of Kano Zoological gardens from its current location to Tiga town, Bebeji Local Government because, according to the Governor the present location is inconvenient due to the high population density of the area This, according to him disturbs the animals. On a soft note, Malam Musa Tanko of Geography Department BUK has asked ‘Who did the animals at Kano Zoo told they’re not comfortable there? What about the Trees? Did they also complain?’ He further explained that ‘There is no place in the whole of Kano city that has high density of vegetation as the Kano Zoological garden. One of the numerous beauties the nature has blessed us with is vegetal cover, comprising of trees, shrubs and grasses which are very much important and necessary for life. Vegetation, especially trees are important to man and his environment in a variety of ways’.
Perhaps that is why the news was received with bad feelings. Some important points worthy of noting include the following:
The proposed area is far away from the metropolis and this will reduce the level of patronage especially by primary schools pupils.
With the increasing insecurity, it might be difficult for pupils to visit it.
The government did not give concrete reason other than the street-like reason that zoo animals do not like human noise.
No timetable was given.
Most importantly the public were not told what will happen to place when the animals are transferred.
Noting the antecedents of the Government of selling public parks and gardens, prayer grounds, parking spaces, historical sites and other open and green spaces, every environmentally aware person in Kano will be alarmed. Not only the citizens of Kano, even professional bodies like the Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Park were quick to write to the governor alerting him of the dangers of the proposed relocation. Many individuals have written essays trying to persuade the state Government from the project, people have spoken in the radio and other outlets all in an attempt to draw the attention of the State Government to let the Zoo be. Forestry Association also pleaded with the Government. As at now, we have not heard anything from government other than its hawks who attack responsible citizens who spoke against the proposed relocation.
The Destruction of Zoo Garden is one of the greatest planticide of the century
At this point it is good to ask the State Government what it intends to do with the Kano Zoo after relocating it. The most likely thing that will happen is that they will clear the place and create a commercial layout. In doing that, the government will claim that it is doing so to make Kano more commercially viable by building modern malls and creating jobs. As expected, I had the opportunity to hear a government officer saying that the zoo will be converted to a residential-cum commercial area and that not all the trees will be cut off. That the company that will take over the zoo will build the new one at Tiga and will decide what it will do with the old zoo. Anyway, whatever it is, it is destruction. The world will witness one of the greatest planticide (ecocide) of the century. The implications of this to Nigeria will be enormous. Many environmental groups around the world will mark Kano State red and we will lose good will that will last long and probably face sanctions.
It is sad that whenever you talk about ecology and environment or even cultural heritage, the government and its official and unofficial spoke persons will say they are bringing development to Kano thinking that building flyovers or structures is what development is all about as argued by Dr. Mahmud Abba of Geography Department, Bayero University Kano ‘Part of the genesis of this problem is our narrow perception of the concept of physical development. The authorities believe that to achieve physical development every available open space must be converted to building. Do they forget that every city in the world is made up of three major physical components namely; structures, networks and open spaces? Are they turning a blind eye on the numerous social and ecological services being provided by the zoo?’ In addition, the fallacy that building shops is development: Kano used to be the second major centre of industries and manufacturing in Nigeria, not any more. Without manufacturing Kano has become a dumping ground for manufactured goods from elsewhere. Building shops and malls will not develop the economy rather gradually weakens it. The emergence of malls, so-called plazas and super markets is in reality killing the local businessmen. Kwari market will in some years come become history. All the thousands of people employed there will lose their jobs. The malls owned by multi-nationals, politicians and big businessmen will takeover. As it has always been to the best of my knowledge, the State Government has no business with Kano business men except to collect taxes. So there will be no plan for the thousands that will lose their jobs.
The implications of relocation
The relocation of the Kano Zoo and Botanical Gardens is uncalled for as many people have argued because if we measure the costs and the benefits we will rather let it be. There are serious implications for the relocation. The implications include among others:
Reduced access: moving the zoo to about 75 kilometres away from Kano to Tiga, Bebeji Local Government, many prospective visitors will miss out. Majority of the visitors are school children and taking pupils to a 75 kilometres journey will not only be expensive to parents but also put the lives of our children in danger. This will deny millions of people the opportunity created by Audu Bako to see, learn and enjoy nature. No matter how much money the government will generate from the sale of the land, it can’t be compared to the damage it will cause and the lives of children that will be exposed to risk. The school children are the future of Kano not the new shops that will be constructed.
Loss of Biodiversity: hundred thousands of plants and animals species living in the area will be lost forever. Come to think of the thousands of trees, shrubs, grasses and insects that will be displaced just because someone wants to get money. Kano Zoo according to Dr. Mahmud Abba said is ‘a biodiversity hot spot, a repository of endangered plants and animals; the last biological sanctuary in the desert of humans and buildings.
Stress relief destruction: Many people used the park to release themselves from the daily stress they are experiencing as Dr Mahmud captures ‘The garden provides an avenue for relaxation to thousands of residents of the city. It is also a centre of social interaction amongst the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society thereby promoting cultural integration and social inclusion in the city’
Exposing people to new diseases: the destruction of the zoo may expose us to new zoonotic diseases that are thriving in the zoo. One way humans are exposed to new disease causing microbes is through the destruction natural habitats Diseases such as COVID-19 might have originated from the destruction of natural habitats.
Loss of clean air: the thousands of trees in the zoo cleans the air, consume all the industrial air emissions from Sharada Industrial Estate and gives a healthy atmosphere in that high density area thus reducing the risk of respiratory tract infections among the residents around the zoo area. Once the trees are gone, we will see rise in respiratory tract infections and other pollution-induced conditions. This will not only make the people sick but also add the cost of health care on the people and the government.
Flood control: the area also provides storm-water ecological service at the interface of the surrounding residential area for many years. Converting the area to other land uses will trigger incessant flood events which may lead to loss of lives and property in the surrounding area.
Exposing Kano to the dangers of Climate Change: A Biogeographer from Bayero University Kano, Dr. Muhammad Nuraddeen Danjuma has captured this implication aptly when he said ‘The Zoological Garden has been a major carbon sink in the Kano Metropolis. Interestingly, this characteristic green space constitutes about 24 genera and 14 families of various plants which primarily sink the terrestrial carbon generated by human activity free of charge. In absolute carbon terms, the protection of green space and specifically the avoidance of deforestation deliver the highest carbon saving tasks. Therefore rather than spending huge billions on carbon sequestration and addressing climate change, it is imperative to keep the protected area intact. In the era of ‘donor fatigue, dwindling revenues and nature fighting back, I am sure the Governor will think twice and save Kano from everlasting implications and risks associated with defamation of this iconic landscape. According to the 2018 World Air Quality Report, air quality in Kano contains an average mean PM 2.5 concentration of 53.4μg/m3 which is more than 5 times above the maximum limits recommended by the World Health Organization. I am sure should there be the likes of the Garden in the metropolis to play vital role is air purification; the widespread apparent rates of respiratory tract diseases might be decimated.’ This is a long term effect that will cost the people long after the incumbent government has gone.
Displacement of local traders: As earlier noted, the new shops that will be built there will displace other local shops that have thrived for years. This means, the new structures will be detrimental to the people living in the area.
Options
Now, when you advise a government not to do one thing, it is only fair to give it options. For this reason, we wish to provide options to the State Government if indeed; it is after developing Kano State.
Let the Kano Zoo remain where it is, upgrade it to international standard since there is already plans for that.
If you must move the zoo, please let the place remain Kano Central Park, make another history by giving Kano what it deserves.
Leave the zoo in Kano emirate and let other emirates have its world class zoos, the proposed zoo at Tiga can serve Rano Emirate. We can have one each in Kano, Bichi and Gaya emirates.
Our Prayer
I am calling on the head of the government in Kano to please let the zoo remain. I will refer to the prayers made by Dr. Danjuma who in his article wrote ‘Kano State is lucky to have such a religious man as their Governor. Sir, for being outstanding in success stories of Abuja City and most importantly an embodiment of Islam, this destruction to the ecosystem must not take place under your watch. Such misapplication of force to isolate and devastate the garden will only lead to large-scale environmental perturbations and crises’ This is on behalf of the 15 million inhabitants of Kano metropolis and the citizens of Kano yet unborn..
Conclusion
This write up is one of the many that have been published and one of the many concerns expressed privately and in public. Many feel that we are just wasting our precious time as the government will not listen. We have written a strong petition to the Kano State Government when they allocated the land near the city wall along BUK road, we have over 100 signatures (over 10 Professors) from the Universities in Kano but the government ignored us and continued. But this will not discourage us from admonishing the government. What we want to tell every citizen of Kano is that we as scholars have done our part. History will not be unfair to us and lump us with the onlookers. Allah will not hold us accountable for being silent. As for those who because of the meagre amount they will receive and those who are intoxicated with power, their legacy will haunt them and their lines for eternity and Allah will judge them. Finally, I want to draw the attention of all those in the helm of Kano affairs that in the end they will account to Allah for their actions.
Prof. Adamu PhD, teaches at Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano.
Opinion
From the Governor’s Voice to Kano’s Information Vanguard: Why Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa Is the Right Choice
Lamara Garba
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of the most influential thinkers on democracy and liberty, is widely credited with making a profound observation about the relationship between government and the press: that if he had to choose between a society with a government but no newspapers and one with newspapers but no government, he would not hesitate to choose the latter. Although the quotation has appeared in different forms over the years, the principle behind it remains remarkably relevant: a government, no matter how well-intentioned or accomplished, cannot sustain public confidence for long without an effective means of communicating with the people it governs.
The lesson is particularly relevant to Kano State at this moment. A government may construct roads, improve schools, strengthen healthcare, invest in agriculture, empower young people, expand social interventions and pursue policies capable of transforming lives, but if those initiatives are not properly communicated, explained and understood by the public, their impact can easily be diminished in the court of public opinion. Good governance, therefore, requires good communication, and good communication requires competent leadership.
It is against this background that the appointment of Alhaji Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa as Commissioner for Information in Kano State assumes considerable significance. His emergence is not simply another appointment to the State Executive Council; it is a strategic decision to place an experienced communicator at the centre of the machinery through which the government communicates its policies, programmes, achievements and challenges to the people of Kano.
Sanusi Bature is not entering the business of government communication as a stranger. Indeed, his previous assignment has provided him with perhaps the most relevant preparation for the portfolio he now occupies. Before his appointment as Commissioner, he served as Director-General of Media and Publicity at Government House, Kano, where he was one of the principal voices of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s administration. In that capacity, he communicated government policies, explained decisions, responded to criticism, engaged journalists and helped the administration navigate the increasingly complex relationship between government, the media and public opinion.
That experience is now being deployed on a much larger platform.
The transition from Director-General of Media and Publicity to Commissioner for Information is, therefore, not a leap into the unknown but a logical progression from one level of responsibility to another. The man who previously stood close to the Governor to explain the administration’s position has now been entrusted with the broader responsibility of leading the ministry charged with communicating the activities of the entire state government.
And the Governor himself has made clear why he has confidence in the new Commissioner.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of two newly appointed Commissioners at Government House, Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said the selection of the appointees was carefully undertaken on the basis of merit, competence and integrity, stressing that they were expected to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state. In addressing Sanusi Bature specifically, the Governor charged him to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the Ministry of Information by ensuring the timely, effective and strategic dissemination of government information to the general public.
That statement provides important context for the appointment because it demonstrates that Sanusi Bature’s elevation was not presented merely as a political reward or routine cabinet reshuffle. Rather, the Governor explicitly linked the choice to competence, integrity, experience and the capacity to contribute to the development of Kano State. In the case of the new Information Commissioner, the relevance of that experience is particularly obvious because the responsibility he has now assumed is closely connected to the work he previously performed at Government House.
Governor Yusuf’s charge is also a reminder that the Ministry of Information is much more than a publicity office. In a modern democracy, it is one of the principal bridges between government and citizens, with the responsibility of translating policies into public understanding, providing accurate and timely information, correcting misinformation, facilitating access to government programmes and creating an environment in which citizens can engage meaningfully with the administration.
This responsibility is especially important in Kano, a state with a highly politically conscious population, a vibrant media environment and a long tradition of public debate. Government decisions are closely scrutinised, political narratives are vigorously contested, and information travels rapidly through radio, television, newspapers, social media and countless informal communication channels. In such an environment, a government that does not communicate effectively risks allowing others to define its story for it.
The Information Commissioner, therefore, occupies a strategically important position. A competent communicator can amplify the achievements of a government, explain difficult policies, calm unnecessary fears and provide clarity when confusion arises, while an ineffective communication structure can create information gaps that are quickly filled by rumours, speculation and misinformation. The responsibility is not simply to announce what government has done, but to help citizens understand why it is doing so, how its policies affect them and where they can access the opportunities created by those policies.
This is precisely where Sanusi Bature’s experience becomes an important asset. His years as Director-General of Media and Publicity gave him a front-row seat to the workings of the Yusuf administration. He witnessed policies and programmes from close quarters, interacted with journalists and other stakeholders, responded to controversies and defended the administration’s position on issues of public interest. More importantly, he experienced the pressure that accompanies government communication in an environment where every statement can be scrutinised, challenged and amplified within minutes.
Such experience cannot be acquired overnight. It is earned through service, exposure and responsibility, and Sanusi Bature now brings that accumulated experience to the Ministry of Information.
His challenge, however, is to move beyond the role of being the Governor’s voice and help build a stronger institutional voice for the entire government. As Director-General of Media and Publicity, his principal responsibility was closely associated with the Governor and Government House; as Commissioner for Information, his mandate is considerably broader. He must now help coordinate the communication activities of ministries, departments and agencies, strengthen government-media relations, promote public enlightenment, harness digital platforms and ensure that citizens have timely access to credible information about government policies and programmes.
This is particularly important in the digital age, where the traditional boundaries between the newsroom, the government press office and the public have virtually disappeared. A government statement can reach thousands of people within minutes, while an inaccurate social media post can travel even faster. A rumour can become accepted as fact before the government has an opportunity to respond, making speed, accuracy and credibility essential components of modern public communication.
The Ministry of Information must, therefore, understand both traditional media and the digital communication ecosystem. It must appreciate the discipline and credibility of journalism while also understanding the speed, reach and conversational nature of social media. Government communication can no longer be confined to press releases, official ceremonies and occasional media briefings; it must be continuous, strategic, accessible and responsive to the information needs of citizens.
Perhaps the most significant indication of what Governor Yusuf expects from the new Commissioner is the specific directive he gave him concerning the growing challenge of drug abuse. The Governor emphasised the need for increased public sensitisation and education of young people on the dangers of drug abuse, illicit drugs and tobacco consumption. He also directed the Commissioner to work closely with the recently established Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to intensify public awareness campaigns and promote collective efforts to tackle the menace.
That directive illustrates the expanding role of the Ministry of Information in contemporary governance. The fight against drug abuse is not exclusively a law enforcement responsibility; it is also an information, education and community mobilisation challenge. While law enforcement agencies may arrest offenders and the justice system may prosecute them, prevention requires sustained communication that reaches young people before harmful habits become entrenched. Schools, families, religious leaders, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the media and government agencies must, therefore, be brought into a coordinated public enlightenment campaign.
This is an area in which Sanusi Bature’s communication experience could become particularly valuable. He understands how to develop government messages, engage the media and take public information beyond the walls of government offices. Under his leadership, the Ministry can help turn information into a preventive tool by using radio, television, newspapers, digital platforms, schools, community structures and youth organisations to communicate the dangers of substance abuse in language that resonates with young people.
The Governor’s emphasis on dedication, humility, transparency and accountability is equally significant. While administering the oath of office, he reminded the new Commissioners that public office is a public trust and a commitment, urging them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and discipline in the discharge of their responsibilities. For an Information Commissioner, that responsibility has an additional dimension because information itself is a public trust. Citizens have a right to accurate information about the policies being implemented in their name, just as they have a right to explanations when government takes decisions that affect their lives.
This is why credibility must remain at the heart of the new Commissioner’s communication philosophy. Government communication should not be reduced to celebrating every achievement or defending every decision. Its real strength lies in its ability to provide facts, explain policies, correct misinformation and engage legitimate criticism constructively. A mature Ministry of Information should not fear questions from journalists or citizens; rather, it should regard informed public questioning as part of the democratic process.
Sanusi Bature, therefore, has an opportunity to build a Ministry of Information that is not simply a publicity machinery but a strategic communication institution. Such a ministry would help government ministries and agencies communicate more professionally, ensure that important information reaches citizens promptly, strengthen the relationship between government and the media, and establish public enlightenment as an integral part of policy implementation rather than an afterthought.
This is where the Governor’s confidence in him becomes particularly important. Governor Yusuf has already seen Sanusi Bature operate in the demanding environment of Government House, where he was required to communicate government positions under pressure and in the face of competing political narratives. He, therefore, knows the experience and capacity that the new Commissioner brings to the table. His decision to appoint him to the Information portfolio, followed by the explicit charge to deploy his wealth of experience to the ministry, represents a clear vote of confidence.
But it is also a responsibility that must now produce results.
The new Commissioner must convert familiarity with the administration into institutional capacity, experience into innovation and political understanding into professional communication. He must help ensure that government achievements are properly documented and communicated without exaggeration, that policies are explained in language ordinary citizens can understand, and that information gaps do not become unnecessary crises.
The appointment also carries a broader lesson about the relationship between governance and public perception. Governments are ultimately judged not only by what they do but also by what citizens know, understand and experience about what they do. An achievement that is not properly communicated can easily be forgotten, while a policy that is poorly explained can be misunderstood. This does not mean government communication should become propaganda; rather, it means that good governance deserves a communication system capable of presenting facts clearly and credibly.
In that regard, Sanusi Bature’s appointment appears to address an important need in the Yusuf administration. The Governor has chosen someone who understands the administration, knows its communication environment, has worked closely with the media and has already been tested in the public arena. More importantly, he has chosen someone whose previous responsibilities are directly relevant to the portfolio he has now been asked to lead.
It is, therefore, difficult to see the appointment as anything other than a logical and strategic choice.
The journey from Director-General of Media and Publicity to Commissioner for Information is, in many ways, a progression from representing the Governor’s voice to helping shape the institutional voice of government. It gives Sanusi Bature the opportunity to take the experience he acquired at Government House and use it to build a broader communication system capable of connecting the government with millions of citizens across Kano State.
The expectations are understandably high, but so is the opportunity. If he combines his previous experience with professionalism, humility, transparency, accountability and a willingness to embrace new communication technologies, he can help transform the Ministry of Information into a more responsive, strategic and citizen-centred institution.
Ultimately, the wisdom behind Jefferson’s famous observation remains relevant: government without effective communication risks becoming disconnected from the society it exists to serve. In today’s world, the equivalent of the newspaper in Jefferson’s formulation is not merely the traditional press but the entire ecosystem of credible journalism, digital communication, public enlightenment and citizen engagement.
Kano, therefore, needs a government that does not merely govern well but communicates well; a government whose policies are understood, whose achievements are documented, whose decisions are explained and whose citizens are given the information necessary to participate meaningfully in public life.
For that reason, the appointment of Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa as Commissioner for Information can rightly be regarded as a significant choice by the Yusuf administration at this stage. He comes into the ministry with institutional knowledge, media experience, political understanding and a tested record of communicating the Governor’s message. More importantly, he comes with the explicit confidence of the Governor, who has publicly identified merit, competence, integrity and experience as the qualities that informed his selection.
The microphone is now bigger, the responsibility is considerably greater, and the expectations are higher. But the man holding it is not new to the sound of government.
He has been the Governor’s voice.
He now has the opportunity to become one of the principal voices of Kano.
And if he succeeds in turning experience into effective institutional communication, he will not merely tell Kano what its government is doing; he will help Kano understand why it matters.
That, ultimately, is what good government communication should achieve.
Lamara Garba is a veteran journalist based in Kano.
Hashim Yusuf Hassan
It is strange how the world keeps turning. The sun still rises, the seasons still change, and people continue to go about their daily lives. But there is now a quiet space in my world, a silence where your voice used to be. It is a silence that has taught me more about love and loss than words could ever express.
I still find myself reaching for my phone to tell you something, seek your advice or simply hear you say, “Don’t worry, it’ll be alright.” I still see you in the most unexpected places—in a particular shade of blue in the sky or in the way someone leans back in their chair. For a fleeting moment, it feels as though you are still here. Then the moment passes, and the ache reminds me that you are no longer with us.
But here is the truth I am learning to live with: you are not truly gone. You are woven into the very fabric of who I am. I am the person I am today because of the lessons you taught me, not just through your words but also through the way you lived. You taught me what quiet strength looks like. You taught me that integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. You taught me how to be strong, but, more importantly, you taught me how to be kind.
When I look in the mirror, I see your eyes. When I hear my own laughter, I sometimes hear yours. When I stand up for something I believe in, I feel your hand on my shoulder. You remain the compass that guides me and the voice in my head that says, “You can do this.” You are the reason I know what it feels like to be truly and unconditionally loved.
I will not pretend that I have no regrets. I wish I had called you more often. I wish I had listened more. I wish I had told you “I love you” one more time, or a thousand more times. I wish you could see all that I have accomplished and the person I have become. But I choose to believe that, somehow, you know. I choose to believe that you are proud of me.
Grief, I have learned, is simply love with nowhere to go. And my love for you is an ocean. Now that you are gone, it has nowhere to land, so it washes over me, sometimes in gentle waves and sometimes in a tide that threatens to pull me under. It is the price of having loved you so deeply, and it is a price I would gladly pay a million times over.
Thank you, Baba, for everything, for the laughter, the lessons, the protection and the love. You were my first hero, my protector and my safe place. Even now, you remain my anchor.
I miss you more than words can ever express. I will carry you with me in every step I take, in every choice I make, and in every moment of joy and sorrow. I will strive to live a life that would make you proud. I promise.
Allah Ubangiji Ya yi maka rahama.
Your son, forever and always.
Hashim Yusuf Hassan.
By Dr Dahir M. Hashim
Outgoing Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change and Commissioner for Water Resources, Kano State.
Looking back on my time at the Kano State Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, one of the achievements I value most is the growing recognition of environmental protection as a shared responsibility and a critical component of public health, community wellbeing, livelihoods and the future of our state.
Over time, environmental issues became more prominent in public discourse, with more residents participating in government programmes, supporting interventions and demanding accountability. This growing public engagement remains one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.
For this, I am deeply grateful to the people of Kano State.
My journey at the ministry began on January 6, 2025, when His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
I assumed office at a time when the sector faced significant challenges. Public facilities had deteriorated, existing policies required updating, enforcement mechanisms were weak, and frontline workers were owed outstanding payments. However, the governor recognised the enormous potential of the ministry and provided the political backing and institutional support needed to begin the process of rebuilding it.
Rebuilding environmental infrastructure
One of the areas where we recorded significant progress was the restoration of government-owned tree nurseries. Eight previously non-functional facilities were fully rehabilitated, restoring the state’s capacity to produce seedlings locally and sustainably.
Building on the administration’s three-million-tree planting programme in 2024, the initiative expanded to five million seedlings in 2025 and ten million in 2026. Significantly, all the seedlings were raised in government-owned nurseries.
Beyond the impressive numbers, the achievement represented the revival of public infrastructure and the restoration of the state’s capacity to sustain its environmental programmes without depending entirely on external sources of seedlings.
We also prioritised the restoration of the Kano State Pollution Control Laboratory. The facility was renovated, equipped and recommissioned, providing the state with renewed scientific capacity to test and monitor pollution, generate environmental data and strengthen regulatory enforcement.
To consolidate these efforts, we operationalised the Environmental Pollution Control Law and developed the Environmental Pollution and Waste Control Regulations, providing a stronger legal and institutional framework for environmental protection.
Improving waste management and flood control
At the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB), we introduced reforms aimed at improving the coordination of waste collection, evacuation and disposal. These interventions made waste management operations more organised and responsive, supporting the evacuation of approximately one million metric tonnes of waste.
We also restored the Dorayi Compost Plant to operation, reviving its capacity to convert organic waste into useful compost. Beyond addressing waste disposal challenges, the facility offers opportunities for investment, employment and the development of a circular economy.
Recognising the recurring threat of flooding in several communities, we undertook drainage construction, clearance and erosion-control interventions across flood-prone areas.
The stormwater harvesting intervention in Toranke and the development of the Kano State Drainage Master Plan were particularly important components of our broader strategy to strengthen flood management and move towards more sustainable urban drainage planning.
Our approach was not limited to responding to immediate environmental challenges. We also sought to establish a framework for long-term resilience and better management of the state’s environmental resources.
Restoring public parks and recreational spaces
Another area of progress was the rehabilitation of public parks and recreational facilities.
We restored four public parks, with additional facilities undergoing similar interventions. Parks that had suffered years of neglect were given new management arrangements and clearer maintenance responsibilities.
These interventions were designed to restore public spaces where families could relax, children could play and residents could enjoy a healthier urban environment.
The reforms also produced encouraging financial results, with the combined annual revenue generated by the parks increasing from approximately ₦5 million to ₦90 million.
This demonstrated that properly managed public recreational facilities can serve both social and economic purposes while contributing to the state’s revenue base.
Building a stronger policy and climate governance framework
Perhaps one of the most important aspects of our work was the effort to strengthen the policy and legislative foundations of environmental governance in Kano State.
During my tenure, we developed the Kano State Climate Change Policy, alongside its implementation plan and results framework. We also advanced the Climate Change Bill and undertook a review of the state’s Forestry Law, which had remained largely unchanged for more than five decades.
In addition, we developed the Climate Finance Reform Action and Implementation Plan and the Green Bond Framework to position Kano State to attract investment for environmental protection, climate adaptation and sustainable development.
These initiatives were intended to ensure that environmental governance would not depend solely on individual administrations or isolated interventions but would be supported by policies, laws and institutions capable of sustaining progress over time.
Kano State’s third-place finish in the 2026 Climate Governance Performance Ranking and the opportunity to present our work at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, were encouraging milestones.
They demonstrated the potential of consistent institutional support, strategic planning and collective action to improve the state’s standing in environmental and climate governance.
However, such recognition should not be viewed merely as an award or international exposure. It should serve as a reminder of the responsibility to sustain the reforms and deliver tangible benefits to the people.
Putting environmental workers at the centre of reforms
I have always believed that environmental reforms cannot succeed without the commitment and welfare of the people who implement them.
Street sweepers, sanitation workers, environmental inspectors and forest guards constitute the backbone of environmental management. Unfortunately, many of these frontline workers had experienced difficult working conditions and outstanding payment challenges.
With the support of Governor Yusuf, we cleared nine months of salary arrears owed to 2,369 verified street sweepers and doubled their stipends.
We also re-engaged environmental inspectors and forest guards while doubling the stipends of 875 sanitation vanguards.
These interventions were not merely administrative decisions. They were an acknowledgement of the dignity of labour and the indispensable contribution of frontline workers to maintaining a clean, safe and healthy environment.
I remain grateful to these men and women whose daily sacrifices often go unnoticed but whose contributions are essential to the wellbeing of our communities.
A legacy of collective responsibility
As Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf restructures the ministries and appoints a new Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, my overriding feeling is one of gratitude.
I am particularly grateful to His Excellency for the confidence he reposed in me, the opportunity to serve and the support he provided throughout my tenure. His willingness to listen to proposals and support difficult but necessary decisions made it possible for us to undertake many of the reforms highlighted in this account.
I also appreciate the staff of the ministry and its agencies, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, young volunteers, private-sector operators and residents who contributed to our work.
Their participation, constructive criticism, patience and cooperation helped shape our interventions and improve their implementation.
I must emphasise that these achievements are not the accomplishment of one individual. They are the product of collective effort, institutional commitment and the contributions of many people who believed that Kano deserved a cleaner, greener and more environmentally sustainable future.
To the incoming Honourable Commissioner, I extend my congratulations and wish you success in this important responsibility. I also assure you of my willingness to offer any necessary support to sustain the progress already made and advance the environmental agenda of our dear state.
Public service is ultimately about the people and the institutions we build to serve them. Positions may change, and responsibilities may be transferred, but the obligation to contribute to society remains.
Serving Kano State as Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change has been a profound privilege. I leave with gratitude for the opportunity, satisfaction in the progress recorded and the hope that the foundations we have laid will continue to support a cleaner, greener and more resilient Kano.
Thank you, Kano State, for the trust and support.
Dr Dahir M. Hashim is the Commissioner for Water Resources and outgoing Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Kano State.
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