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FOMWAN holds dialogue over harmful practices against women
Nasiru Yusuf
The Deputy National Amirah of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hajiya Habiba Abubakar Mijinyawa has condemned some harmful traditional practices against women and called for a change.
KANO FOCUS reports that Hajiya Mijinyawa made the call at a one-day social dialogue organise to sensitise the general public on the dangers of such practices.
The event, tagged: ‘One-day Social Dialogue with key stakeholders on Sexual Gender Based Violence, Trafficking In Persons and forced Marriage,’ was held in Kano on Friday.
It was organised for participants from Kano, Jigawa and Zamfara States. It was an interactive session which featured group works and presentations from the participants on various topics related to the event’s subject matter.
Cross section of participants
The Deputy Amirah said some negative norms and practices promote violence against women and the girl-child.
Hajiya Mijinyawa, who doubles as the Programme Manager of the association, said the participants were gathered to find a lasting solution to such practices in the society.
She described sexual harassment, human trafficking and early marriage as worrying issues militating against societal development.
She said they wanted to use the forum to create awareness among the citizens in the community on the problems with a view to eradicating them.
Cross section of participants
On his part, the Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer from the national headquarters of the association, Malam Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, said the project is a five year.
Malam Abubakar said they used the occasion to see how they could strengthen the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the three states in converting child trafficking, child early forced marriage as well as those issues having to do with gender base violence.
He said among the stakeholders, they identified religious leaders, traditional in stitutions, the CSOs, people with disabilities and women as critical to the success of the programme.
Cross section of participants
He said they brought them together to share ideas that would shape the society in ensuring that those issues were tackled to the barest minimum.
“The project started this year 2022 even though others started last year 2021 but it is going to finish by the year 2025,” he said.
Highlighting on the presentation he made on safeguarding, he said it was necessary, adding that: “This is because sometimes, people forget to understand the situation they find themselves.
Cross section of participants
“So, we concentrate more on those victims and survivors, whereas some of those issues we are advocating for also happen within our work space.”
“The presentation focuses on those who are giving the services so that they will not find themselves in the situation.
“Because when you look at issues of discrimination, sexual harassment and all of that, they also happen in work places,” he said.
Malam Abubakar explained that the presentation was to ensure that: “We don’t fall trap of what we preach to others.”
Cross section of participants
According to him, as the project is for everyone, they build the capacity of not only the CSOs; they also try to those from the judiciary as they are interlinked.
“So we also interface with judges, the alkalis and Imams so that when it comes to their tables, they understand the best way on how issues can be addressed fully.
“But going forward, we have identified the media as critical stakeholders as they amplify the voices of those who are voiceless less,” Malam Abubakar said.
Also speaking to KANO FOCUS, Communication Officer of FOMWAN and Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Project, Malam Suleiman Mukhtar, said before gathering the participants, they conducted a situational analysis on the three states on the matter.
He said they found out that there were retrogressive cultures taking place in those states that seemed to create a ground for sexual and gender base violence, trafficking in persons, child and early forced marriage in the three states.
Cross section of participants
As a result, he said they saw the need to strengthen knowledge of the stakeholders CSOs, community and religious leaders, legal practitioners and the media to carry out the awareness campaign.
Malam Mukhtar said they engaged in the social dialogue in order to gather a mixture of the various stakeholders to interact from the training done in the past on how to create workable solutions to the problems.
He therefore stressed that it is very important for every person in the society to say no to such retrogressive cultures and adulterated religious practices that seem to be stumbling blocks to a progressive society where they were trying to eradicate social and gender base violence, trafficking in persons and forced marriage.
A participant from Kano state branch of the Joint Association of People with Special Needs Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada pledged to step down the training to other members of the association who were not opportune to be at the occasion so that they would be fully aware of what they are expected to do on the matter.
Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada
He said they are supported by some lawyers who render free service to them, urging members of the association to forward issues on the subject matter for appropriate actions to be taken by the association.
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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