Headlines
Abduljabbar suffers legal setback as Kano High Court fails to set aside debate outcome
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano State High Court, presided over by Chief Judge, Justice Nura Sagir Umar refused to set aside the proceedings, verdict and recommendations of Salisu Shehu of Bayero University, Kano against Abduljabbar Nasiru.
KANO FOCUS reports that the court ruled that the outcomes of a panel after a debate between Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, a cleric, who was accused of a making a blasphemous statement against the Prophet of Islam, and other clerics, stand.
The debate between Sheikh Kabara and some Kano Islamic scholars was conducted in the state on 10 July, 2021, and the Sheikhs were said to have defeated him.
Kabara later rejected the outcome of the debate, insisting that he was not given fair hearing, something that resulted to his legal actions against the recommendation of the debate.
Shehu, a director at Centre for Islamic Civilisation and interfaith dialogue at Bayero University, who was the anchor of the debate, recommended that, Abduljabar Nasiru Kabara, had failed woefully in the debate and as such it left to government to take appropriate measures against him.
However, Kabara rushed to court, kicking against the outcomes of the debate, but the State Chief Judge, Nura Sagir refused to set aside the outcomes of the debate, saying all the recommendation given out by the anchor of the debate, Shehu Salisu stand.
Trial of Abduljabbar Kabara
Abduljabbar Kabara had earlier appeared in a public debate organised by the Kano state government for him to defend his comments but refused to answer questions from his opponents, despite being the one who requested the public debate.
During the debate, the moderator, Salisu Shehu, a director at Centre for Islamic Civilisation and interfaith dialogue at Bayero University, Kano, ruled that Mr Kabara “consistently strayed off the topic of discussion and avoided answering questions asked him.”
Mr Shehu ruled that the cleric’s earlier comments on Prophet Muhammad’s companions “were his personal opinion, not part of Islamic teaching” as he claimed.
On every topic raised, Mr Kabara dodged questions and refused to open a book in his possession to clarify comments he made, citing short timing and not being fully prepared for the discussion, the judge said.
Two days after the public debate, Mr Kabara on Sunday offered an apology.
”If my comments on the contending issue are offensive, I seek God forgiveness and the entire Muslims faithful,” he said.
Mr Kabara said his comments were misinterpreted and that he was just trying to defend the sanctity of Prophet Muhammad.
He however, released a video on Facebook recently explaining why he could not respond to Kano clerics during the debate. And maintained his stand on controversial statements.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
