Headlines
CAJA expresses concern over sexual harassment in tertiary institutions
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Continued occurrence of sexual harassment in higher institutions of learning in the country has been
disturbing Center for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA).
The menace seems to be on the increase.
KANO FOCUS observed that the perpetrators of such act seem to be
getting away with it as rare or no punishment has been meted against them.
If punishment is meted against such
perpetrators, the gesture would really
serve as a deterrent against others.
CAJA is lending a campaign against the
act in the country’s institutions of learning.
Cross section of participants
That is why it recently organized an
interactive stakeholders’ session at Tahir Guest Palace in Kano metropolis with a view to deepening discussion on the issue.
The theme of the event was: ‘The Role
of the Media on Curbing the Menace of
Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions.’
The center invited seasoned panelists
who shared their views and perspectives on how best journalists or stakeholders could do to end the menace.
The panelists were Malama Nafisa
Murtala Ahmad from Exrpress Radio;
Malama Sadiya Aliyu from Solace Base
and Malam Mustapha Gambo Muhammad from Pyramid Radio respectively.
Cross section of participants
During the event proper, journalists and students from various media organizations and institutions of learning in the state, held the view that there should be more commitment of stakeholders in pursuing cases of sexual harassment to logical conclusion.
Stakeholders observed that it was not
only the males that perpetrate the act,
even the females, to some extent, do engage in such harassment.
They however observed lack of or non
availability of serious codes in tertiary institutions that spell the punishment to be meted against the perpetrators.
They posited that there should be written documents that would warn any would-be perpetrator of the act and the punishment to be meted on him or her.
They acknowledged that most cases
treated on sexual harassment, in the past, in some institutions of learning in the country, hinged on dismissal of the culprits – that is all, saying that apart from dismissal, the culprits should be made to face the wrath of the law of the land.
Nafisa Murtala Ahmad
It was observed that not only indecency used to attract sexual harassment, but
however, even ladies in Hijab used to fall victims of the menace.
Again, what drew attention of participants at the event was the issue of a bill laying before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent.
The bill tagged: ‘Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition Bill 2023,’ if passed into law, would help a lot in addressing or wiping out the menace or its eradication completely from the nation’s tertiary institutions.
That is CAJA or its partners like Evelyn
T. Ugbe, the Vulnerable Population Sector Manager and Mr. Eric Umoru from Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) team, who attended the event all the way from Abuja, the capital of the nation, posited that the media should pursue the passage of the bill vigorously as it provided preventive mechanism to the nation’s students against the menace.
Ugbe said the media should maintain
the momentum so that assent to the bill
should see the light of the day.
In his votes of thank, the Senior Program Officer of CAJA, Malam Akibu Hamisu Garko, while thanking everybody for attending the event, said they took the campaign against the menace in tertiary institutions in the state as very significant so as to eradicate it completely.
Malam Akibu Hamisu Garko
Garko said creating awareness
about the menace in the institutions would help in doing away with it, adding that the students in such institutions should know the existence of such clusters around them with a view to knowing the needed things to do in case of any harassment.
He urged the media to do the needful
and understand the cluster in tertiary institutions, which he added had done a lot on seeing that the bill waiting to be assented by the presidency scaled through.
He said what they prayed for was the
inauguration of an independent sexual harassment committee that would ginger up efforts towards actualizing the dream of their organization.
The Executive Director of CAJA, Malam
Kabir Sa’id Dakata, coordinated the
panel session of the event very well.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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