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Police taking orders from unknown source against Kano-State government
The Kano State Government has expressed concern over the actions of the State Police Commissioner, who has been accused of disobeying the directives of the Governor, particularly regarding the banning of Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
In a press conference held at the Africa House of the Government House, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, addressed the ongoing issues, stating, “I am compelled to address you once again on behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor and the Government of Kano State over the unfortunate activities of some enemies of the State that are hell-bent on causing a breakdown of law and order in our State.”
a series of actions that have contributed to the current tension, including the recent passing and signing of the Kano State Emirate Councils (Repeal) Bill, 2024.
“On May 23, 2024, the State House of Assembly passed the bill, which was promptly signed into law by the Governor after thorough consultations with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies.” The government stated.
The Attorney General who spoke on behalf of Governor Abba Yusuf noted that despite the measures, certain individuals have been accused of attempting to destabilize the state.
“Some people are desperately scheming to unjustly penalize the people of Kano for keeping to the tradition of radical politics of voting with their conscience,” the statement read, referring to the repeal of the 2019 Emirates Law and the ensuing litigation.
The government also addressed the recent judgment by the Federal High Court No. 3 in Kano, which claimed that the former emir’s fundamental rights were infringed upon, including allegations of house arrest.
The Kano State Government disputed this, stating, “No one forced him into Gidan Nassarawa, belonging to the government of Kano State.
He went in there and stayed there on his own volition accompanied by security guards. Therefore, no one put him under house arrest.”
The government emphasized the Governor’s constitutional duty as the Chief Security Officer of the State to ensure the protection of lives and properties.
“When the former emir came in accompanied by hoodlums clearly threatening the peace and orderliness of the State, the Governor was under a duty to act to ensure peace, and that was why he issued the arrest order,” it said, noting that the arrest was never actually carried out by security agencies.
Further concerns were raised about the Police Commissioner’s actions, particularly the unilateral decision to ban Eid-el-Kabir festivities without consulting the Governor or the State Security Council.
“How can anybody in his right senses ban Sallah festivities in Kano? And when did the State Governor cease to be the Chief Security Officer of the State that he will only see such a ban on social media?” the statement questioned, accusing the Commissioner of consistently disobeying legitimate instructions and hiding behind “orders from above.”
The government called on all well-meaning Nigerians and international friends of Nigeria to intervene and allow the people of Kano to live in peace. “Any attempt by anybody to undo that is an assault on democracy,” the statement concluded, urging the people of Kano to continue their legitimate activities peacefully and promising to keep them informed as events unfold.
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Gov Yusuf reshuffles cabinet, sacks SSG, chief of staff
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has sacked the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, along with five commissioners, and scrapped the office of the Chief of Staff.
KANO FOCUS reports that those removed include the Commissioner for Information, Halilu Baba Dantiye; Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
In a major cabinet reshuffle announced in a statement by the Governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Yusuf reassigned the portfolios of seven commissioners, including the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who was moved from Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to the Ministry of Higher Education.
According to the statement, Governor Yusuf said the reshuffle of the state executive council is meant to effect a pragmatic political realignment of his administration.
Those who retained their positions include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi; Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Danjuma Mahmoud; Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran; Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Hon. Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar; Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Musa Suleiman Shannon; and Commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr. Marwan Ahmad.
Also retained are the Commissioner for Solid and Mineral Resources, Sefianu Hamza; Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Sheikh Ahmad Tijani Auwal; Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso; Commissioner for Investment and Commerce, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya; and Commissioner for Internal Security and Special Services, Major General Mohammad Inuwa Idris (Rtd).
According to the statement, those reassigned include Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, who is moved from the Ministry of Local Government to Higher Education; Hon. Mohammad Tajo Usman, who moved from Science and Technology to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim K/Mata, from Higher Education to Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Others reassigned include Hon. Amina Abdullahi, who moved from Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation to the Ministry for Women, Children, and Disabled; Hon. Nasiru Sule Garo, from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to the Ministry of Special Duties.
Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, is now moved to the Ministry of Transport, while Hon. Haruna Doguwa of the Ministry of Education is moved to the Ministry of Water Resources. On the reassigned list are Hon. Ali Haruna Makoda, moved from Water Resources to the Ministry of Education; Hon. Aisha Lawal Saji, from the Ministry of Women, Children, and Disabled to Tourism; and Hon. Muhammad Diggol, from Transport to the Ministry of Project Monitoring and Evaluation.
Meanwhile, Governor Yusuf has dropped five members of his cabinet, including Ibrahim Jibril Fagge of the Finance Ministry; Ladidi Ibrahim Garko of Culture and Tourism; Baba Halilu Dantiye of Information; Shehu Aliyu Karaye of Special Duties; and Abbas Sani Abbas of Rural and Community Development.
Additionally, the Governor has directed the Chief of Staff and the five commissioners who have been dropped to report to the Governor’s office for possible reassignment.
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VC BUK receives accreditation report for early childhood, primary education programmes
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, formally received the accreditation report for the Early Childhood Education and Primary Education programs on Wednesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that the report was presented by the accreditation team from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The team, led by Professor Bashir Maina of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, commended BUK for its substantial investment in e-library resources, which significantly enhance learning and research for both staff and students.
Professor Maina also praised the university’s impressive achievements in the development of physical infrastructure.
In his remarks, Professor Abbas expressed appreciation for the accreditation team’s visit, emphasizing the importance of such evaluations in fostering continuous improvement across all aspects of the university’s operations.
He reaffirmed BUK’s commitment to upholding quality and standards in all its programs, aligning them with global best practices.
The Vice Chancellor assured the team that their recommendations would be addressed promptly.
Other members of the accreditation team included Professor Amos Isiaka Gambari from Federal University, Minna; Professor Markus Zira Kamkwis from Adamawa State University, Mubi; and NUC representative, Nuruddeen Musa Umar.
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Post Harvest Loss: Kano Partners Aviation Industry to Advance Export of Agricultural Produces
Kano state government has expressed readiness to partner with aviation companies under the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to boost agribusiness through cargo export of perishable produces from Kano to neighboring states, African countries and europe.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the commitment when he hosted delegation of cargo management services from Federal Airpoet Authority (FAAN) at the government on Wednesday.
A statement by Governor’s spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa disclosed that Governor Yusuf who was delighted to collaborate with the cargo transportation of farm produces from Kano believed the initiative would encourage production level.
Yusuf, represented by the chief of staff, Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, said the new development scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025 will reduce post harvest loss which accounted for over 35 per cent of total proceed of produce.
The Governor assured the aviation industry players that his administration was prepared to advance the new mode of transporting agro-products to neighboring southern states and outside the country which would drastically reduce security and other risk on movement of produce through road transport.
Earlier, General Manager, General Cargo Service, FAAN, Mrs Alao Mamman Rekiya said the visit to the government intended to seek areas of corporation and synergy in the introduction of cargo export of farm produces from Kano to states in Nigeria and beyond.
Rekiya added that the Federal government’s initiative in the aviation sector was part of overall renewed agenda on diversification of revenue generation through cargo export.
She emphasized that with provision of cargo export of vegetables and other perishable produces from Kano, the Federal government is encouraging the farmers to improve on quality production and open up the state for economic viability.
She urged the state government to take advantage of the new down to create job opportunities in aviation ecosystem and reduce annual wastage on postharvest lose in the sector.
The team agreed to form an inter-agency committee on the project to explore its potentials for the economic prosperity of the commercial state.