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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
Home-based Super Eagles coach, Augustine Eguavoen has invited Kano Pillars legendary midfielder, Rabiu Ali, and 29 players for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers against Ghana.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 8th edition of the continental championship – reserved exclusively for footballers plying their trade with clubs in their country’s domestic Leagues with standard contracts – is scheduled to take place in February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kano Pillars’ evergreen midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who has scored eight goals this season, is among the players called.
The 44-year-old Ali has been a key player for Kano Pillars this season alongside Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa.
Other Kano Pillars players invited are Aminu Adam Sani and Nelson Abiam.
All the invited players will arrive at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, where the team will train ahead of the first leg of the qualification fixture against Ghana’s Black Stars B, billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December.
The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Isa Haladu, the director, Planning, Research and Statistics Office of the Kano State Ministry of Health, has emerged as the co-chairperson, representing the government in the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM).
KANO FOCUS reports In a letter signed by Pharm Maimuna Yakubu, the Co-chair (CSOs) to Haladu, “the DPRS is recognized as the automatic Co-chairperson of KanSLAM.
“As a key player in this process, the DPRS’ office co-chairmanship will play an instrumental role in ensuring success of this partnership,” she said.
While officially presenting the letter to Haladu on Saturday at a KanSLAM review meeting at Joclarif Hotel in Zaria, Safiyanu Bichi a member of KanSLAM stated that Haladu’s emergence as the govt. co-chair will bring more development and opportunities for the SLAM.
In his remarks, the newly appointed government co-chairperson expressed his delight for being part of KanSLAM.
He stated that immediately he received the notification letter via email, he shared it with the Kano Commissioner of Health Dr Labaran Yusuf.
“I fully accept this responsibility and I am optimistic that this will facilitate in continuing the good work that KanSLAM has done in the past,” he said.
Haladu recalled how the SLAM transformed from Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Child Healthcare in Kano State (AMMKaS) to KanSLAM, stressing that the SLAM is now enlarged and much more effective.
He added: “KanSLAM has contributed in the establishment of Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), and Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) and I believe more achievements are on the way.”
KanSLAM is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Civil Servants and Journalists advocating for improved service delivery in human capital development sectors.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida has joined the Board of Directors of TMT advocacy body of the International Institute of Communications(IIC).
KANO FOCUS reports that currently serving as the EVC/CEO at NCC, Dr Maida plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. Under his leadership, the NCC continues to advance connectivity, foster innovation, and promote a competitive and inclusive telecommunications industry.
Dr Maida’s career includes significant contributions to leading global organizations such as British Telecom, Cisco Systems, and EE Ltd. He was also a pioneering engineering team member at UbiquiSys Ltd, a groundbreaking small-cell technology startup acquired by Cisco Systems in 2013.
Prior to his current role, Dr Maida was the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS). There, he spearheaded the modernization of Nigeria’s central digital payments infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a critical enabler of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Dr Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the Cambridge Judge Business School.
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