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Fagge residents react to Rep. sponsorship of children’s circumcision
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Many stalwarts of New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP in Fagge Local Government area in Kano state have kicked against the proposed mass circumcision programme, sponsored by Mohammad Bello Shehu, member representing Fagge federal constituency at the House of Representatives.
KANO FOCUS reports that Circumcision in Hausa society is traditionally conducted on boys, mostly under ten years during harmattan season.
However, the member representing Fagge federal constituency, popularly known as MB Shehu, decided to use this harmattan season to sponsor circumcision of over 1000 boys across the 11 wards of the constituency.
The unprecedented programme had been launched on Sunday at Ofishin Galadima Primary Healthcare Centre, Fagge B ward.
However, the programme had sparked wide outrage from oppositions and the NNPP supporters, including the party’s stakeholders in the constituency.
The aggrieved supporters expressed fear whether the lawmaker, who was recently affirmed by Appeal Court, would fulfill his campaign promises to his constituents who came out en mass to vote for him in the February 25th election.
One of the MB Shehu’s campaigners, Ibrahim Usaini, expressed disgust over the proposed exercise, saying “this is shameful”.
According to Mr Usaini, at a time when the constituents are feeling the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal, Mr MB Shehu should have proposed distribution of palliative to his people, not mass circumcision of children that had never been done before.
Mr Usaini added that while his colleagues in other constituencies had already gone far in executing developmental projects for the betterment of their constituents, Fagge constituency is yet to see the MB Shehu’s good representation at the green chamber.
“Some members of the House of Representatives are distributing palliatives such as food and empowerment schemes to their constituents. Some are even distributing motorcycles and tricycles, unfortunately, our Rep has not shown any sign of fulfilling his campaign promises.
“Look at how he has now proposed to conduct mass circumcision programme as constituency project. I have never seen this before. Circumcision has never been our problem.
“Distribute palliatives to your constituency. Show them appreciation for the overwhelming support they showed you during election. Come up with empowerment schemes for youths and women.
” But what is the benefit of this circumcision programme? I have never seen when parents can not afford their son’s circumcision. I call on MB Shehu to rescind this plan,” Usaini, popularly known as Lalin urged.
Another NNPP stalwart, Basiru Chile, said in this material time, MB Shehu should look at critical issues within the constituency and address them squarely.
Mr Chile advised the lawmaker to sustain his commitments to support the constituents during his electioneering campaign, not to allow the people see it as he was doing it to get their votes.
According to Mr Chile, MB Shehu should look at the issue of empowerment, education support, health and security at the beginning of his tenure, not to waste his resources and time on issues kike circumcision.
“During his electioneering campaigns, MB Shehu performed well by touching the lives of the people of Fagge, and even beyond.
“However, as he won election, he should not do things that would cast doubt in the minds of the people that voted for him overwhelmingly.
“I am not in support of this mass circumcision programme. I am totally against it. There are more pressing issues than this trivial one. Circumcision has never been out problem. It is not up to N2,000. This is a common household expenditure that has never been a burden to the Hausa people.
” Let him look at other problems and address them, if he wants to continue for the next tenure. He should show appreciation for the overwhelming support he got from the people of Fagge Local Government.
“I advised him to sustain the commitments he initiated before he was elected as the member representing Fagge federal constituency,” Mr Chile advised.
Mr Chile urged Mr MB Shehu to pay attention to health and job provision to the teeming youths to avoid restiveness in the constituency and beyond.
The issue of the proposed programme had become a topic of discourse in Fagge constituency as oppositions mock the NNPP lawmaker and his supporters over the plan.
When contacted for comment, MB Shehu clarified that the circumcision exercise is not in any way part of constituency project, disclosing that he sponsored it out of his pocket money.
According to him, the idea behind the programme was borne out of a request from a constituent, who asked the lawmaker to help him with money to pay for his three children’s circumcision.
“When i received the man’s request, i developed the idea of organizing a mass circumcision to support parents who could n
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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