News
Commassie frowns at dethronement of traditional rulers in Northern Nigeria
A renowned Peace Ambassador, Hussaini Haruna Commassie, has frowned at the “irrational” dethronement of traditional rulers, particularly Emirs in northern Nigeria, by state governors, with a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to enact laws that will save the traditional institutions from “reckless abuse” by state governors.
KANO FOCUS reports that Ambassador Commassie, the Global Vice Chairman, International Commission for Peace and Good Governance, who reacted to the Emirship tussle in Kano, also urged Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to discard Emir Muhammad Sanusi ll and dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero to pave way for the emergence of a new Emir in the interest of peace since the two brothers have refused to step down for each other.
Ambassador, Hussaini Haruna Commassie
“I am advising Kano state government that both Emir Sanusi and Emir Aminu should be kept aside since both of them are not agreeing to step down; and they are not the only Princes of Kano.
“So, they should be kept aside. The King-makers should appoint three persons that will contest for the throne. This will go a long way to solving the problem; and it will be better for Kano state government.”
The peace ambassador who is also the Head of Mission, International Peace Commission, Nigeria, blamed both former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for allowing the Kano Emirship tussle to to take peace-threatening dimension.
He said: “As a peace-maker, I have to be diplomatic and apolitical. The Governors in Nigeria should know that the traditional institurions are there even before the coming of the Whiteman.
“These Emirs are representing Islamic teachings! And they are very close to the grassroots. When you toy with traditional institutions, you are indirectly shooting yourself in the leg. These governors should know that the areas they are clashing with the Emirs are very alarming.
“It is time to put it on standstill. The Emir of Gwandu was removed just because of somebody’s selfish interest. Sultan Dasuki was equally removed, a Supreme leader of Islamic affairs, for that matter!
“And now, it is Kano. The way and manner the governors are bastardizing the system (let me use this word with emphasis) is very annoying and painful.
“If it continues like this, every Governor must come with his own Emir. I am not questioning the authority of the Governors, but some of the moves made by both former Governor Ganduje and Governor Yusuf are very wrong. I do not take sides, I am neutral in this case.”
Ambassador Commassie appealed to the Federal Government to accommodate the traditional institutions in the constitution so as to, “give the Royal Fathers cover, give them position, give them a stand in the constitution.
” They are not captured in the constitution at all, a Local Government Chairman is ahead of the Emir, no matter how highly placed he is—-whether First Class or whatever!
“But the Emirs were formerly the Governors in their states before colonialism. During that colonial era, they used our Emirs to get at us because they know we listened to them—that was indirect rule.
“So, why shouldn’t the traditional institution be captured in the constitution? If the Whiteman used them to get at us, why is the blackman trying not only to discontinue with the Emirs, but to bastardize the system or to abolish their activities and performances in Governance? ”
He insisted that, “it is too bad! It is time for the National Assembly to make laws that will empower the traditional institurion. It will not be fair for a Governor to remove an Emir without vetting. It must be vetted by the National Assembly.
” Look at a lot happening in Sokoto. A Sultan that is representing the Muslim world is being threatened by the Governor of a state! The Governor of a state is trying to bastardize the institution. If this is what is happening to us, I can see danger ahead. ”
Ambassador Commassie called on President Tinubu to, ” caution the governors now. If need be that the powers of the Emirs should be captured in the constitution, so be it.
“Let the National Assembly start making move. I am advising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to look into the constitution very well and see how they can accommodate the traditional institurion because the ordinary citizens are the ones suffering.
“The Governors stay, highest eight years, and they will go and leave us with all these crises they are creating.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed renowned public health expert, Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi, as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse and related social vices across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with civil society organisations, public health professionals and other stakeholders in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans by the state government to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring swift justice, strengthening law enforcement and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s extensive experience in public health policy, social protection and community development would enhance the effectiveness of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Kano.
Dr. Magashi is the President of the Africa Health Budget Network and a respected civil society advocate with decades of experience in healthcare, public policy and community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the task force, Governor Yusuf also approved the inclusion of a representative of the Kano State Sharia Commission in its membership to ensure that its activities conform with Islamic guidance.
The state government said the latest measures form part of broader efforts to address drug abuse, improve public safety and protect communities from the social and economic consequences of substance abuse.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on conventional and social media practitioners to promote factual reporting, patriotism and active citizen participation as part of efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen public trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the maiden Arewa Media Summit held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Governor Yusuf as saying that the media must remain committed to truth, bridge generational divides, amplify the voices of the people and encourage responsible civic engagement.
He described the theme of the summit, Government, Citizens’ Accord, Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, accountability and public confidence through ethical journalism.
According to the governor, responsible journalism and access to credible information are critical to national development and the successful implementation of government policies and reforms.
Governor Yusuf said his administration has continued to support media development by protecting press freedom and creating an enabling environment for journalism to thrive.
He listed the establishment of Northern Nigeria’s first Online Media Chapel, sponsorship of information officers for registration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the registration of journalists with the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB) among the state’s achievements in advancing professional journalism.
The governor also commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for strengthening information management across the country, and praised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for promoting professionalism and ethical journalism through the summit.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the future of Northern Nigeria depends not only on investments in infrastructure and agriculture but also on credible journalism, responsible communication and effective storytelling.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the summit was organised to promote accuracy, fairness and professionalism in reporting government activities while strengthening the relationship between government, citizens and the media.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Governor Yusuf’s sustained investment in the training and retraining of media practitioners has enhanced journalism practice in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the summit attracted the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, ministers, lawmakers, academics, media professionals and participants from across Northern Nigeria.
News
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has introduced a free emergency medical treatment programme that provides eligible patients with lifesaving care for the first 48 hours at designated hospitals across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative, being implemented through the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) under the Ministry of Health, is designed to ensure that victims of medical emergencies receive prompt treatment without financial barriers.
According to information released by the state government, the scheme covers children under the age of five, including newborns with emergency conditions, road traffic accident victims, gunshot injuries, snakebite cases, drowning incidents, fire-related injuries, building collapse victims, communal clash casualties and other weapon-related injuries.
The programme also includes obstetric and neonatal emergency referrals from Kano State’s 18 MAMII local government areas through the SaveMAMA referral system.
Under the initiative, emergency treatment is provided free of charge for the first 48 hours at accredited Emergency Medical Treatment Centres (EMTCs) across the state.
The government advised patients or their relatives to contact the KN-SEMSAS Emergency Call Centre before or immediately upon arrival at an accredited hospital to obtain an authorisation code, while stressing that emergency treatment should not be delayed while the code is being processed.
Residents were urged to use the national toll-free emergency line 112 or the state’s dedicated emergency numbers 09019999920 and 09049999914 to request ambulance services and access the programme.
The accredited hospitals participating in the scheme include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH), Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, MDS Hospital, Zak Clinic, MGK Hospital and Khadijat Memorial Hospital.
The state government said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving medical services for residents.
It called on members of the public to take advantage of the programme and share information about the emergency treatment scheme to enable more residents to benefit from the free services.
Gov. Yusuf appoints Dr. Aminu Magashi co-chair of Kano anti-drug abuse task force
Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
K-SAFE hails Gov. Yusuf as Kano tops ECOWAS education spending ranking
Abdulaziz unveils project inspection initiative, trains APC social media inflluencers at Arewa media summit
Kano ranks best in ECOWAS on education spending index
Kano recruits over 16,000 teachers, begins 10-year education reform plan
Kano emerges top beneficiary as World Bank rewards states with $27m for reforms
Kano delegation participates in international labour conference in Geneva
