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Emir Sanusi praises Buhari for constituting Economic Advisory Council
By Nasiru Yusuf
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for forming Economic Advisory Council (EAC).
Addressing newsmen at his palace on Tuesday, Sanusi said the president has done the right thing by appointing professional economists who know the nitty gritty of Nigerian economy.
According to him, at this time when the nation is facing economic problems, and the global economy facing uncertainty due to trade wars, the president has done a good thing by forming what he described as “first class economic team.”
The monarch described the members of the team as seasoned economists who, according to him, would turn the nation’s economy around, adding that their appointment could have been the best policy of the Buhari administration.
He added that Buhari deserved commendation and support for taking the bull by its horn in fixing the ailing economy of the country, expressing optimism that the the Economic Advisory Council members would be fantastic in accomplishing its mission.
“If you look at the kind of system we operate, if you look at the United States, every US president always has a council of economic advisers. And one of the reasons you have that council is you want independent academics who are able to give you frank and honest advice on how to run the economy and address its problems.
” What president has done is to follow that pattern, to appoint a team of highly respected professionals to advise him at this time when we have economic problem and fiscal issue. When a global economy is facing uncertainty due to trade wars, the president needs high quality advice,” he said
Emir Sanusi however denied criticising government’s economic policies, accusing media, especially the newspapers of misrepresenting his views.
He said “I don’t think it is correct that I am criticising the economic policy of the government. I think newspapers have derived a lot of fun misrepresenting my views. I am not critical of government economic policies. What I have always done is to see things and to offer advice on things to be done.
“What we do as advisers and economics is to praise things that have been done possibly and recommend areas of improvement,” he said
While extolling the appointees, the emir said he had practically known and worked with them, adding that the president had done a good thing by appointing them as his economic team.
“The team is a fantastic team. I know practically all of them. I have worked with many of them at different points in my life. Soludo was CBN governor when I was in banking. Doyin Salami, Shehu Yahya were both on the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN.
“I have worked with Muhammad Sagagi in the Industrialization Plan for DFID in Kano. These are the people that are highly respected by professional economists. They are the best team that you can put together. And they have a great balance. You have monetary policy, you have fiscal policy, you have development plan, you have financial market and I think the president has done himself a lot of good,” the monarch revealed.
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“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
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Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
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Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
