Headlines
Sheikh Tijjani Kalarawi raises concern over increasing cost of Hajj fares
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi has lamented the astronomical rise in Hajj rate.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sheikh Kalarawi was speaking in an interview on Thursday with journalists at the Holy City of Makka, Saudi Arabia.
It would be recalled that this year’s pilgrimage was of the most costliest in recent times going by the rate in which hard currency were bought which was beyond human decency.
The cost of the spiritual exercise via State Pilgrims Welfare Board this year stood at N2.9 while through private airline operators was N4 million.
The charges entails flight, accommodation, logistics and Basic Travel Allowance BTA.
Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi called on federal government to reduce the rate in order to make it affordable for commoners among the ummah
He observed that the increasing cost of the exercise, has by and large made it financially impractical for many faithful to do so
He recalled with nostalgia the frantic efforts of the previous administrations in minimizing the rate within the reach of the commoners which gave the wider majority the opportunity to fullfil one of the pillars of the holy religion devoid of hitches.
These regimes according to him those of Alhaji Shehu Shagari (1,500) Maj. Gen. Muhammad Buhari (N4,000) Gen. Sani Abacha (N50,000).
According to him late Muhammad Adamu Dankabo through his Airline, Kabo Air, out of his gesture, used to give pilgrims 100kg main luggage and 20kg hand luggage upon their return from Saudi Arabia.
Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi however asked pilgrims to pray for divine intervention on the increasing cost of the rate aimed at ensuring kindness, equality, loveliness, tranquility and above all justice and fairness
Sheikh Kalarawi who served as Chairman of the state pilgrims outfit during the reign of Air Commodore Hamza Abdullahi of blessed memory and Architect Kabiru Gaya, recalled how they introduced special classes for intenders (Bita) to make them abreast with basic rudiments of the religious exercise.
Meanwhile the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board Alhaji Yusuf Lawan has pledged to present the demand of reviewing the fares before Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for onward submission to President Bola Ahmad Tinubu.
Lawan who said Hajj as one of the five pillars of Islam, has immense spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide called on those that have the means in the midst of the society not to be left out in fulfilling the obligation in view of its lofty reward
The Chairman who attributed the high cost of observing the rite to depreciating value of Naira, expressed delight with the arrangement made by National Hajj Commission’of Nigeria with Saudi Authorities to make the transaction in Dollars without difficulties.
He expressed optimism that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu will consider the request and review the rate being a responsible and concern leader.
Kano Airlifts 4112, pilgrims home in 8 flights
Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has so far airlifted 4,112 pilgrims back home in 8 flights.
The ninth flight with Kano contingents is expected to leave King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Friday.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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