Opinion
Be Dutiful To Your Mother, You Will Be Blessed And Succeed Here And The Hereafter!
Be Dutiful To Your Mother, You Will Be Blessed And Succeed Here And The Hereafter!
By Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah the All Knowing Creator. He placed mercy in the hearts of the mothers. To the point that the animal raises its hoof away from her son with mercy fearing that she will step on him. We praise Allah for His guidance. He ordained the religion for His servants. And distributed rights between them. He has given each person who has rights their rights:
“Allah makes clear to you [His law], lest you go astray. And Allah is Knowing of all things.” [Qur’an, 4:176]
Dear brothers and sisters! The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) visited the grave of his mother and wept, and caused those around him to weep. He said:
“I asked my Lord for permission to pray for forgiveness for her and He did not give me permission, and I asked Him for permission to visit her grave and He gave me permission.” [Muslim]
He (Peace be upon him) did not do that except to uphold her rights and to be dutiful towards her.
Respected servant of Allah! Be conscious of Allah and obey Him. And know what is due upon you of rights so that you can fulfill them. For there are rights purely to Allah such as the acts of worship. And rights related to our parents, our relatives, our neighbours and the people that we interact with. He the Exalted mandated them upon us. It is part of
His religion that He ordained for us. And on the day of Resurrection He will hold us accountable for it.
Muslim brothers and sisters! There is no right due upon a person that is bigger and greater after the right of Allah Almighty and the right of His Messenger (Peace be upon him) than the rights of the parents. That was demonstrated by the texts of the Qur’an and Sunnah. And Allah Almighty took a covenant in this regard from those who were before us. Allah Almighty says:
“And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], “Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good.” [Qur’an, 2:83]
And He the Glorified mandated in our Shari’ah with the strongest and most eloquent terms, and He coupled it with Tawhid of Him and prohibition of associating others with Him. He the Most High says:
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good.” [Qur’an, 4:36]
And He says:
“And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment.” [Qur’an, 17:23]
Allah expressed it in terms of the decree which is from the strongest expressions of commanding and mandating. And the decree of a judge is carried out. And Allah is the most just of judges. And the fairest and most powerful of them. Rather He made dutifulness to the parents an instruction that He enjoined upon His servants. Allah Almighty says:
“Say, “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment.” [Qur’an, 6:151]
Then He the Most High concluded the verse with:
“This has He instructed you that you may use reason.”
The mother takes precedence over the father with respect to dutifulness. And she has more rights due to her from her son than the rights owed by the son to his father. Because the pure Shari’ah came with this and she is the weaker of the two parents. And because she was pregnant, gave birth and nursed. Allah Almighty says:
“His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years.” [Luqman: 14]
And in another Qur’anic verse He says:
“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning [period] is thirty months.” [Al-Ahqaf: 15]
And this was indicated in the Sunnah as narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
“A man came to Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) and asked, “Who among the people is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (Peace be upon him) said, “Your mother.” He again asked, ”Who next?” “Your mother”, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) replied again. He asked, “Who next?” He (the Prophet (Peace be upon him)) said again, “Your mother.” He again asked, “Then who?” Thereupon he (Peace be upon him) said,” Then your father.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
And in another Hadith he (Peace be upon him
said:
“Allah enjoins you to treat your mother’s kindly” -three times- “Allah enjoins you to treat your fathers and the closest and the next closest kindly…” [Ibn Majah]
And Muawiyah Bin Haidah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“O Messenger of Allah! Who is most deserving of my fine treatment?” He (Peace be upon him) said, “Your mother, then your mother, then your mother, then your father, then your nearest, then nearest.” [Abu Dawud and Ahmad]
Based on these Hadiths, the mother has three rights and the father has one right. Therefore, a son should allocate three quarters of his dutifulness to his mother, and a quarter for his father. However, many people do not understand this matter.
And ingratitude towards the mother is a greater crime than ingratitude towards the father. Even though all ingratitude towards parents is a great crime. And as Prophet (Peace be upon him) indicated in the books of Bukhari and Muslim that Allah Almighty has forbidden ingratitude towards mothers.
It is obligatory to maintain good relations with the mother and being dutiful to her and treat her in the best fashion even if she is a disbeliever while not obeying her in sin. Allah the Most High says:
“But if they endeavour to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness.” [Luqman: 15]
And Asma’ the daughter of AbuBakr (may Allah be pleased with them) said:
“My mother came to me during the lifetime of Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) and she was a polytheist. So I sought a verdict from the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) stating: my mother came seeking my kindness, shall I maintain good relations with her?” He (Peace be upon him) replied, “Yes, maintain good relations with your mother.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
We ask Allah Almighty to grant us the religious knowledge and putting it into practice and to help us with being dutiful to our parents and excellence in kindness towards them. As Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said:
“Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established.” [Qur’an, 14:41]
Dear servants of Allah! Whoever is seeking the greatest deeds and reward should know that gratitude to the mother is one of the wide doors of paradise. It is not neglected except by those who have deprived themselves.
It was narrated that Mu’awiyah Bin Jahimah As-Sulaimi came to the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) three times seeking to accompany him in Jihad. Each time he (Peace be upon him) responded to him:
“Woe to you! Is your mother still alive?’ He said: ‘Yes.’ He (Peace be upon him) said: ‘Go back and adhere to her leg (serve her), for there is Paradise.” [Ibn Majah]
And from this, some righteous people adopted the practice of kissing the feet of their mother. A righteous man used to kiss his mother’s feet every day and once when he was late in meeting his brothers they asked him where were you? He said: I was basking in a meadow of Paradise, for it has reached us that paradise is under the feet of the mothers.
When the mother of Qadi (Judge) Iyyas passed, he wept and it was said: What makes you weep Abu Wathilah?! He responded:
“I had two open doors to paradise and one of them closed.”
And Muhammad Bin Al-Munkadir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“My brother Umar spent the night in prayer while I massaged my mother’s leg. And I would not like to replace my actions with his.”
And Hisham Bin Hassan said:
“I said to Al-Hassan: Indeed I learn the Qur’an while my mother is waiting with the dinner. Al-Hassan responded: Having dinner with your mother through which you please her is more beloved than performing a voluntary Hajj.“
Respected brothers and sisters! Where are the people with regards to being dutiful towards their mothers and looking after them? And serving them in accordance to these great Hadiths and traditions indicating the rights of the mother and the virtue of being dutiful towards her.
Beware dear servants of Allah for the rights of our mothers upon us are many. And being dutiful towards them is among the greatest obligations. And there are many textual evidences in this regard. And from them is the instruction of Allah to Prophet Isa (Jesus Peace be upon him) that he uttered as an infant:
“And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me Prayer and Zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant.” [Maryam: 31-32]
Today, I conclude my sermon with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon our beloved Prophet as your Lord commanded. Allah Almighty says:
“Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.” [Qur’an, 33:56]
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know.
O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know.
O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge.
O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good.
Dear servants of Allah! Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favours – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
All praises and thanks are due to Allah alone, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached through: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
This Jumu’ah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today Friday, Rabi’ul Awwal 04, 1444 AH (September 30, 2022).
Opinion
Our govt navigated through complex situations to keep Nigeria intact – Gen Akilu
Bello Sani Galadanchi
The eight- year rule of President Ibrahim Babangida went through a tough terrain of turmoils and uncertainties capable of derailing the country but always took decisive steps to restore peace and order. It was a leadership shaped not only to direct Nigerian affairs but also guide the West African sub- region and Africa as a whole.
These were some of the motives behind the creation of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group ( ECOMOG) that successfully brought lasting peace to the sister states of Sierra Leone and Liberia. The government firmly believed in laying the foundation of stability, promoting regional integration and economic reforms throughout the continent.
The former Chief of Defence Intelligence, Retired Brigadier-General Halliru Akilu made these disclosures while contributing to a Virtual International Colloquium on the Legacies of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in Ghana on Saturday.
Organized by the Africa Islamic Education Forum, the event attracted eminent participants including former Presidents and Heads of State, political leaders, the academia and researchers from across the continent.
On security generally, General Akilu advised leaders in the sub region to take a closer examination of the IBB reforms in the sector which resulted in the splitting of the defunct Nigerian Security Organization( NSO) into three new security outfits namely the Defence Intelligence Agency( DIA), the National Intelligence Agency ( NIA) and the Department of State Services( DSS).
He emphasized that with the current spate of banditry, kidnappings and general insecurity in the region, now was the time for leaders to replicate the ECOMOG model enunciated by the Babangida government to restore peace and economic freedom.
On human development, General Akilu told participants that IBB deeply connected with the people he served, citing the founding of the famous Better Life for Rural Dwellers by his late wife, Hajiya Maryam Babangida; and the establishment of the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure ( DFFRI) which littered the national space with roads, water, health and other essential amenities for the benefit of the rural populace.
A member of the Board of Trustees of the Arewa Consultative Forum, General Akilu profoundly thanked the former Mauritius President for her kind compliments on General Babangida and the legacies he put in place.
He said the participation of President Ameenah and other contributors had gone a long way to further enlighten the world about the IBB government’s accomplishments.
The former Director of Military Intelligence described the holding of the Colloquium as an honour to President Babangida and the people of Nigeria.
In her keynote address earlier, the former Mauritius President, Dr Bibi Ameenah Firdaus Gurib- Fakim noted that the IBB era was a period of giant reforms and the intensification of Infrastructure building.
She hailed the establishment of the two political parties, SDP and NRC during the regime, saying it was a good move to foster lasting democracy.
Dr Ameenah advised West African heads of government to emulate the resilience IBB had shown during ECMOG operations, stressing that there was serious need to rejuvenate security of the region in all ramifications.
The daughter of General Babangida, Hajiya Aishatu Babangida expressed gratitude to the former Mauritius President and other speakers, saying that the forum was a great honour to the family of the former Nigerian leader.
Hajiya Aishatu who had taken over as head of the Better Life Project after the demise of her mother, reaffirmed her resolve to execute with rigour all the key objectives of the programme through massive empowerment of local communities.
Bello Sani Galadanchi,
Publicity Secretary,
Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF,
Kano State Chapter.
Opinion
Friday Sermon: Let Muslims Practice What They Preached About Tolerance!
Imam Murtadha Gusau
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Ever Merciful
All praises and thanks be to Allah, and peace and salutations be upon the Messenger of Allah, his noble household, his companions and all those who follow him with excellence till the Day of Judgement.
Dear brothers and sisters! Tolerance in Islam, is not a mere fairytale phrase, but true and sincere Muslims live it in reality. Islam urges us to be tolerant and forgive others. This is indicated in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
One of the features of Islam indeed is that it is the religion of mercy. By the same token the Muslim should be easy going, not one who puts others off; he should forgive when he is able to take revenge and be tolerant when people make mistakes. Tolerance and patience are traits of the soul of every Muslim, a part of his belief in the religion of Islam, acknowledging the unparallel sovereignty of our one and only true creator, Allah.
Once when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was asked, “What is Iman?” he (Peace be upon him) replied:
“Iman (faith) is patience and tolerance.” [See Al-Silsilah Al-Sahihah, Hadith no. 554]
Respected brothers and sisters! Know that Islam may tolerate anything, but it teaches zero tolerance for injustice, oppression, and violation of the rights of Our One and only Creator (Allah) and that of other human beings. Tolerance is a basic principle of Islam. It is a religious moral duty. It does not mean “concession, condescension or indulgence.” It does not mean lack of principles, or lack of seriousness about one’s principles. Sometimes it is said, “people are tolerant of things that they do not care about.”
But this is not the case in Islam. Tolerance according to Islam does not mean that we believe that all religions are the same. It does not mean that we do not believe in the supremacy of Islam over other faiths and ideologies.
It does not mean that we do not convey the message of Islam to others and do not wish them to become Muslims. Remember, Tolerance toward falsehood is Intolerance.
Islam teaches tolerance on all levels: Individual, groups and states. It should be a political and legal requirement. Tolerance is the mechanism that upholds human rights, pluralism (including cultural pluralism), and the rule of law. There are many levels of tolerance:
1. Among family members — husband and wife, parents and children, siblings etc.
2. Tolerance among members of the community: Tolerance in views and opinions, tolerance among different schools of thought.
3. Tolerance between Muslims and the people of other faiths (interfaith relations, dialogue and cooperation).
When one looks into the life of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), one may draw on many examples to portray the high level of tolerance shown to people of other faiths.
Allah bestowed upon him the best attitude and conduct, and the best way of dealing with people and situations, even though he was not literate and could neither read nor write. He grew up poor in an ignorant desert land, tending sheep, an orphan with neither father nor mother.
But Allah taught him all good characteristics and good ways, and taught him the stories of earlier and later generations, and that which brings success and salvation in the Hereafter and happiness in this world, and showed him the way to focus on one’s duties and keep away from inessentials.
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) did not use to repay evil with evil; rather he would pardon and forgive. He got angry for the sake of his Lord but he did not get angry for his own sake. He would adhere to the truth even if that resulted in harm for himself or his companions.
It was narrated that Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:
“The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) was never given the choice between two things but he chose the easier of them, so long as it was not a sin. But if it was a sin he would be the furthest of the people from it.
And the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) never took revenge for himself, unless the sacred limits of Allah were transgressed, then he would take revenge for the sake of Allah.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) tolerance, proves beyond doubt, the place of tolerance in Islam, for surely, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) did not do things which was not part of Islam.
The stories, examples and proofs of the magnificent tolerant nature of final Prophet (Peace be upon him) are too numerous to mention in detail here.
Let us take just one example in this sermon: The tribe of Quraish were archenemies of Islam and, for a period of 13 years while he was still in Makkah, they would rebuke the Prophet (Peace be upon him), taunt and mock him, beat him and abuse him, both physically and mentally. They placed the afterbirth of a camel on his back while he prayed, and they boycotted him and his tribe until the social sanctions became unbearable.
They plotted and attempted to kill him on more than one occasion, and when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) escaped to Madinah, they rallied the majority of the Arab tribes and waged many wars against him.
What was the reaction of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) toward his Makkan enemies when he entered Makkah and liberated it from idolatry and paganism?
In the wake of the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) and the Muslim’s great victory and in the climax of their joy, rapture and happiness at coming back home to the Sacred City of Makkah – Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) gathered together the Makkans, who were afraid that he would harm or kill them in revenge for their past abuse and killing of Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) asked them:
“O, you people of Quraish! What do you think of the treatment that I am about to do with you?” They answered, “You are a generous brother and the son of an honourable brother of ours.” Then, the kind, tolerant, generous and merciful Prophet (Peace be upon him) forgave them, announcing: “No harm will come to you. You may go. You are free.” [Baihaqi, and also in Ar-Rahiq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) page 467]
It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah Bin Muti, who heard from his father and said:
“I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) say on the day of the Conquest of Makkah: “No Quraishite will be killed hound hand and foot from this day until the Day of Judgment.” [Muslim]
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) issued a general pardon to all its inhabitants, who were not only pagans but also those that had fought him for the longest time, and regarding whom many of those verses of fighting like (Qur’an, 9:5) had been revealed.
Dear servants of Allah! Rarely in the annals of history can we read such an instance of tolerance and forgiveness? This shows the real tolerant nature of Islam. Even after being tortured for years by those same Makkans and the Quraishite, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) forgave them.
In contrast, we have seen throughout history what atrocities various ‘super-power’ nations committed when they have unjustly attacked, invaded, and tortured others, throughout human history; And that too, just for the sake of this temporary world. And this continues, even today!
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.
This Friday sermon (Jumu’ah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 18 Safar, 1446 AH (August 23, 2024).
Opinion
Football Triangle: See Those Killing Kano Pillars
By Abdulgafar Oladimeji
Kano state government, lawmakers , Kano born sports administrators, Kano state Football Association, KSFA , Kano Pillars fans club, the media , former players and regimented section of Kano football supporters constitute the hydra headed demon that is destroying Kano Pillars.
The like hydra headed demon destroying Kano Pillars is an twin semblance of the hydra headed demon in the Greek mythology, when one head is cut off, it is replace by two others.
Kano Pillars is the most fancied club side in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL, no doubt.
Sai Masu Gida posses the potentials to excel to the level of the most successful football economy in Nigeria, ask those who know, they will affirm this assertion.
Since the club ‘s envious maiden continental glorious campaign , Pillars despite wining the country’s league title in an historic back to back famous achievement , it is now a shadow of it’s former self, it is always one day , one trouble for Kano Pillars.
If not for the hydra headed demons at work, why would Pillars continue to live and exit from the valley of failure at intervals.
The following demonic heads have possessed Kano Pillars and had defy various sports tricks, magic and left to suffer from the political trial and error methods been imposed on the club by the owners .
Kano state Government.
The owners of the club are the chief culprits behind the myriads of problem being suffered by the club.
The state government led and has continued to champion the mission of those scavengers that have succeeded in turning the club into a football carcass .
The club is confirmed to be registered with CAC as a Limited liability company.
The state government has refused to inject life into the club by not allowing it to comply with the laid procedures of cooperate governance.
Kano state government in the past nine years have continued to treat this precious asset with levity and non chalant attitude.
Kano state government in recent years is confused over how to manage the club, it resorted to converting the club into a dumping ground, for out of tune football administrators and former athletes cum politician, to thank them for being good party boys.
A then serving Kano lawmaker was widely reported in the media, citing the facilitation of the recruitment of an unamed player from his constituency, into the club as one of his well executed constituency projects.
CORRUPTION.
Another canker worm destroying Kano Pillars is corruption, government officials have and are allegedly conniving with those in the club system to steal from government coffers.
The lean resources been channeled to the club from the state government coffers, is now a victim of kill and divide.
There is a racketing in the sales of tickets, illicit players transfer deal s and misappropriation of the proceeds from such deals.
One of the mother of all corruptions in the club, is in the buying of equipment’s, how on earth will a club with the highest prospects in sports branding and merchandizing continue to budget and spend millions on the purchase of equipments, this submerges football business imaginations, in an sane clime.
The club is swimming in over inflated receipts from away trips.
Recruitment of players for the club is now a conduits pipe, recruitment process and contractual terms of coaches and the salaries of the players and other officials stinks.
SABOTAGE
Some section of Kano born sports administrators, since they are not in charge and their close allies are not in charge, invoke the heavens to fall on the club.
Hatred and envy have continued to inspire some persons, who feel, it is either they are in charge or no one else is good enough , they don’t hide their hatred and vigorously continue to work against the interest of the club, these clique, whenever outside the management of Pillars will work hard and stop at nothing to sabotage the club , they care less to ruin the efforts of those in charge to pave way for their return to take charge directly or by proxy.
Kano Pillars is now a spoil of war, the winner takes all.
MEDIA.
The most abused, disjointed, ill equipped football media brand in Nigeria is Kano Pillars.
A good number of media practitioners in the city have suddenly turned football expert dishing out misguided, polluted and fetish concocted opinion polluting the air enveloping the club with toxic.
We need not get it wrong, Pillars is a darling club, it deserves all the mention, the worries here, is how some journalists have sold out by prostituting around the club.
Media practitioners around the club lack the courage to engage those assigned with the task of running the club, whenever the chip are down, those few who take bold step and have the courage to engage the club are branded as either white or blue enemies, by the self appointed vuvuzelas.
Some journalists have continued to fall over themselves to be in the good books of the club management or the state government to see how to satisfy their lust of seeing to their been enlisted into the club media crew, lacking the bravery to speak truth to sports authorities in the state.
Seekers want to become the Media Officer of Kano Pillars, even at the cost of ethics and self pride.
FANS CLUB
Kano Pillars fans club has failed to claim its economic, political and spiritual share holding in the club.
FORMER PLAYERS
A clique of former players see Kano Pillars as their birth right, nobody, no matter how good your capacity , you are not welcome, if you find your way to the club, you will be caught in their web, you can not operate without the blessings of these players, who will not hesistate to mobilize local forces against any perceived foe.
KANO STATE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
KSFA has failed in playing it supposed role as the football think tank in the state, KSFA is supposed to be the reservoir of Kano Pillars, herein today , that is not the case.
The state FA is always busy with the war with imaginary and real enemies of the game, seeing Kano Pillars as its greatest foe.
Kano Pillars does not and has continue to reject the superiority of the state FA over the club.
KSFA seem lost in understanding its powers over the affairs of Kano Pillars.
Today , Kano Pillars is assumed to be bigger than Kano FA, imagine a son becoming bigger than his paternal uncle , this undisputedly has created an unwarranted, unhealthy rivalry between the two Kano football super powers
This cold war between Kano FA and Kano Pillars has cost Pillars so much pains, those who know knows, what this is all about.
What bothers you is that Kano state government is the oga at the top over these two football giants, rather than call them to order, Kano state government officials past and present have continued to exploit the war to pursue their various nefarious agenda within the system.
WAY FORWARD
Kano state government must sit down and have a rethink, if possible contract independent minded football technocrat, locally and abroad, who will be willing to offer their services pro bono, they abound , because the club is well loved, they will be willing to offer their services for free.
Kano state government must decide on whether it wants a Kano Pillars that is a private, commercial or social club side.
The state government must proceed to give the club a disciplined and properly knitted system of governance to deliver on the set mission and vision behind the establishment of the club.
Appointment of all kinds of people into the club management in the name of political compensation to run the club must stop.
If the club is to be redirected towards been commercially driven, technocrats drawn from sports administration, hospitality industry , merchandizing, branding, sports media sectors must be drafted to govern the club
If the mission of the state government is to run the club as a social entity for the purposes of public relations, then appoint a board of five man that would be a mixture of politicians and sports digital technocrat not analog sports technocrat, then ensure adequate funding for the club to project the image of the government and also win laurels to make the people happy.
If Kano state government wants a Kano Pillars that is truly a limited liability company, it should contract football investment experts to help unbundle , then sell shares worth billions of naira to football happy Kano people and football investors from far and wide, who will be forever happy and grateful to own the smallest ownership portion of their darling club, the state government could also keep a good chunk of the ownership to itself.
Then the media, medical security units of Kano Pillars will go haywire.
The fans club will take their rightful place in the affairs of the club.
All loop holes presently demonizing the club will be beheaded and buried.
Pillars will proceed to be the role model club that it was destined to be, since its inception.
To they that have ears, let them hear.
Oladimeji is a sports writer with over two decades experience.