Headlines
Emir Sanusi advocates removal of fuel subsidy
Nasiru Yusuf
The former Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi ll said the time has come for outright removal of fuel subsidy, saying it is long over due considering the current economic realities.
KANO FOCUS reports that the former Governor of Central Bank (CBN), echoed this at a colloquium to mark his 60th birthday anniversary on Saturday in Kaduna.
Mr Sanusi recalled an attempt to attack his house in Kano when he raised alarm on fuel subsidy scam as a governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.
“Many years ago, when I was screaming about the billions being spent on fuel subsidy. I remember there was actually an attempt to attack my house in Kano. I was in central bank. Where are we today? We were face to face with the reality that this is unsustainable.
“When the decision is being taken, it is even more painful and more difficult than if we had taken it ten years ago or five years ago,” he said.
I have paid a price for speaking the truth
Mr Sanusi said he has paid a price for criticizing government’s harmful economic policies.
He however said Nigerians are also paying the real price for ineffective economic policies.
“Whenever i am seeing to criticise, I simply speak to the best of my understanding and try to advise, and try to say that which I think is in the interest of the country. I have been critical of economic policies, and I paid a price for it.
“We know the real price is being paid by Nigerian people. It is a price we see in increased poverty. It is a price we see in increased insecurity. It is a price we see in high rate of inflation. It is a price we see in the loss of value of our currency. It is a price we see in the numbers around malnutrition, around unemployment, around out of school children, maternal mortality and infant mortality.
“Call me controversial or call me on enemy or call me a critic will not make those facts go away. And wherever we go, we must turn back and face those facts and reality.
“So am I happy on my sixtieth birthday? No. Because sixty years ago when I was born, United States government advisory was telling investors Nigeria had a better economic future than Japan. Where are we today and where is Japan? Is not about one government, is not about two governments, it is about decades of people throwing away opportunities. And everytime we are handed an opportunity to change, everytime we were given chance to reset, we go back to the same old thing,” the monarch lamented.
Nigeria made zero progress in the past 40 years
Mr Sanusi also said that Nigeria as a country has made no progress in the past 40 years.
“In 1980, Nigeria’s GDP per capita on purchasing power parity basis was $2,180. In 2014, it appreciated by 50 per cent to $3,099. According to the World Bank, where were we in 2019? $2,229.
“At this rate in the next two years in terms of purchasing power parity, the average income of a Nigerian would have gone back to what it was in 1980 under Shehu Shagari.
“That means, in 40 years, no progress, we made zero progress. 40 years wasted. We wiped out all the progress made in 35 years,” he said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
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