Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders across Africa and beyond to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.

KANO FOCUS reports that Tinubu said no genuine service to God could be advanced through the destruction of innocent human lives.

The President made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.

Addressing the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, Islamic scholars, spiritual leaders and adherents from Nigeria and other countries, Mr Tinubu said religious leaders had a crucial responsibility to confront violence, extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.

“Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty,” Mr Tinubu said.

He urged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.

He also called on religious leaders to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful resolution of grievances.

The President said religious leaders should remind political leaders of their responsibilities to govern with justice and compassion, while urging citizens not to turn legitimate grievances into justification for lawlessness or violence.

“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred,” he said.

117.8m forcibly displaced globally

President Tinubu said the Maulud was being held at a critical period in global affairs, with societies facing conflicts, uncertainty, climate shocks, food and energy crises, violent extremism, terrorism and transnational crimes.

Citing a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025.

He said the scale of the challenges facing humanity had made the intervention of spiritual leaders increasingly important.

According to him, religious leaders “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and address deep-seated hatred and bitterness.

Tinubu seeks Tijjaniyya’s support

President Tinubu said the Tijjaniyya community, with its extensive spiritual networks across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world, had significant relationships and moral influence that could be deployed towards reconciliation, countering violent extremism, youth guidance and humanitarian support.

He said the Federal Government recognised the important roles of religious and traditional leaders in promoting tolerance, countering misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and promoting peaceful coexistence.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue.

He said Nigeria’s strategic position at the intersection of West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic region meant that its peace and stability had implications beyond its borders.

“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria,” he said.

He added that religious communities with strong transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, could become valuable partners in building social peace alongside governments and regional institutions.

Nigeria’s diversity is a strength

President Tinubu said the partnership between government and religious institutions should harness the ethical values of religion, including truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life.

He described Nigeria’s diversity and plurality as among the country’s greatest strengths.

The President assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to protect freedom of worship while strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.

He welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, scholars, spiritual leaders and other guests who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries to attend the Maulud.

He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition had developed deep roots in scholarship, remembrance, service, moral instruction and peaceful community life.

President Tinubu recalled receiving a high-level delegation of the Supreme Council of Tijjaniyya at the State House in Abuja, where prayers were offered for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity, as well as the continued relationship between Nigeria and Algeria.

Tinubu pays tribute to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

The President said the Maulud provided an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on and renew their commitment to the teachings of Islam, the love of Prophet Muhammad and the spiritual legacy of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.

He highlighted humility, mercy, wisdom, service and providing comfort to others as among the virtues associated with the occasion.

President Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, whose foundation played a major role in organising the Maulud.

He described Sheikh Dahiru, who died in November 2025, as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”

The President said the most enduring way to honour the late Islamic scholar would be to preserve his legacy of Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for society’s wellbeing.

President Tinubu commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Kano State Government, scholars, traditional rulers, security and emergency services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the successful hosting of the event.

“Nigeria is honoured by your presence and we pray that you return to your homes safely, carrying with you the affection and hospitality of the Nigerian people,” he said.

“May Almighty Allah accept the prayers and acts of devotion offered at this Maulud.”

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

A political analyst, Dr Auwalu Anwar, has called on Nigerians to draw lessons from the ideological foundation of the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

KANO FOCUS reports that Dr Anwar made the call on Saturday at a lecture organised to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the founding of NEPU at the Mambayya House, Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Bayero University, Kano.

The lecture, titled “Kwadayi Mabudin Wahala: Waiwaye a Kan Aqidun NEPU da Darussa don Zaben 2027” (Political Greed: Revisiting NEPU’s Ideology and Lessons for the 2027 Elections), examined the political conditions that led to the formation of NEPU in 1950 and their relevance to contemporary Nigerian politics.

He said understanding the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the party and its ideological orientation was essential to understanding the challenges confronting Nigeria’s democracy.

Dr Anwar said political ideology represented a set of convictions about how society should be governed and the principles required to address social problems and protect the dignity and freedom of citizens.

Dr Auwalu Anwar

According to him, religion, culture, education, gender, environment, occupation, governance structures, history and prevailing social conditions all contribute to the development of political ideology.

Colonial rule and emergence of NEPU

Dr Anwar said before the formation of NEPU, the political and administrative system in Northern Nigeria was largely controlled through an alliance between the British colonial authorities and traditional rulers.

He described the arrangement as a system in which the colonial government exercised control through the traditional institutions, with the emirs playing significant roles in maintaining law and order, taxation, justice, security and economic administration.

He said the situation created resentment among sections of the population and contributed to the emergence of political movements seeking greater freedom and participation in governance.

According to him, the political awakening eventually led to the formation of organisations such as the Northern Elements Progressive Association (NEPA/JANA) in 1947 by Abdurrahman Bida, Raji Abdallah, Aminu Kano and Sa’adu Zungur.

He said the group was established to educate people about political issues but was subsequently dissolved after the colonial authorities became concerned about its activities.

Dr Anwar also recalled the formation of the Northern Teachers Association by Aminu Kano in 1948 and its subsequent confrontation with authorities over allegations of political activities.

How NEPU was formed

He said NEPU was formally established on August 8, 1950, when eight young men met at Bello Ijumu’s residence in Sabon Gari, Kano, to establish a political party committed to justice and equality.

The eight founders, he said, were Malam Abba Maikwaru, Mr Bello Ijumu, Alhaji Mudi Sipikin, Alhaji Magaji Dambatta, Alhaji Baballiya Manaja, Alhaji Musa Kaula, Alhaji Abdulqadir Na Adamu Danjaji and Alhaji Garba Bida.

Alhaji Abba Maikwaru and Mr Bello Ijumu were elected chairman and secretary respectively.

Dr Anwar said the party’s initial objectives included educating ordinary people about their rights, mobilising them to demand freedom of expression and association, challenging oppressive political structures and working towards self-government.

The party also promoted truth, justice, hard work, education, cooperation and commitment to religious values.

He said Malam Aminu Kano resigned his government job on November 4, 1950, to openly participate in NEPU activities as a full-time politician.

At its first national conference in Kano in April 1951, NEPU adopted what became known as the Sawaba Declaration, which criticised the existing political and traditional power structures and called for the liberation of ordinary people from oppression.

Dr Anwar said Aminu Kano’s election as national leader of NEPU at its 1953 conference in Bida further strengthened the party and cemented his association with its political ideology.

Islamic teachings influenced NEPU ideology

The lecturer said Islamic teachings played an important role in shaping the ideological foundations of NEPU.

He cited Qur’anic injunctions calling on believers to promote good and prevent wrongdoing, as well as the famous hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad instructing Muslims to oppose wrongdoing according to their capacity.

Dr Anwar said these teachings influenced the commitment of NEPU supporters to justice, freedom and resistance to oppression.

He also cited poems by NEPU-associated poets, including Gambo Hawaja Jos and Sa’adu Zungur, as evidence of the movement’s commitment to social justice and its criticism of economic exploitation and oppressive governance.

According to him, Zungur’s poems documented the numerous taxes, levies, fines and other burdens imposed on ordinary people during the period.

Democracy requires five conditions

Dr Anwar argued that genuine democracy could not exist without five fundamental conditions.

He listed them as an independent judiciary, a legislature committed to public interests, an accountable government, an independent electoral commission and respect for the constitution.

“If these five pillars are firmly established, the conditions for genuine democracy will be strengthened,” he said.

He, however, questioned whether Nigeria’s political system currently satisfied those conditions.

Dr Anwar said a review of NEPU’s ideological principles raised serious questions about whether the country’s current political environment could genuinely be described as democratic.

He also questioned whether Nigeria had an adequate framework for ensuring credible elections in 2027 and preventing political parties from manipulating internal processes to determine candidates.

Today’s parties lack clear ideology

Dr Anwar said Nigeria’s contemporary political parties were largely characterised by weak ideological commitments.

He traced some of the problems to the military interventions that disrupted the First Republic and restricted the development of political parties based on clearly defined ideologies.

He noted that the return to civilian rule in 1979 produced parties such as the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), which he described as a successor in ideology to NEPU, and the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which he said retained some characteristics associated with the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).

He said the military governments that followed also interfered with the development of political parties, citing the creation of the NRC and SDP under Ibrahim Babangida and five political parties under Sani Abacha.

According to him, the transition to civilian rule in 1999 further produced the AD, APP and PDP, but political parties have since struggled to develop strong ideological identities.

He said this had resulted in parties frequently appearing to differ more in name and personnel than in their fundamental political objectives.

APC, opposition parties have similar interests

Dr Anwar criticised both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, arguing that there was insufficient ideological distinction between them.

He said political parties had increasingly been associated with internal authoritarianism, manipulation, vote-buying, political scheming, betrayal of supporters and the pursuit of personal wealth.

“Political parties are platforms for displaying the interests and aspirations of their members,” he said, arguing that parties claiming to represent ordinary Nigerians should demonstrate clear commitment to those interests.

He also criticised opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for failing to unite around a coherent alternative political programme.

He said the struggle to defeat the ruling party appeared, in many cases, to be driven more by the desire to gain political power than by a clearly defined programme for national transformation.

Call for issue-based voting in 2027

Dr Anwar urged Nigerians not to vote solely on the basis of party affiliation in the 2027 elections.

He advised voters to scrutinise individual candidates at every level and assess their integrity, competence, experience and commitment to public service.

“Every party has its share of oppressors, deceivers and corrupt individuals at different levels of leadership and representation,” he said.

He therefore urged voters to examine candidates individually rather than automatically supporting or rejecting an entire political party.

According to him, blindly voting for candidates simply because they belong to a particular party could lead to widespread regret.

“The Nigerian voter must use the wisdom given to him by God to carefully examine the candidates presented by political parties at every level and choose the one he considers more trustworthy and honourable,” he said.

He concluded by quoting Sa’adu Zungur, warning that ignoring the truth could ultimately lead to regret.

“If the ear hears, the body survives,” he said.

Chairman of the 9th NEPU-Day Lecture, Dr Bala Muhammad of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, also highlighted the historical significance of the movement in his remarks.

Dr Bala Muhammad

He stressed the importance of preserving NEPU’s legacy and drawing relevant lessons from its history for the future of Nigeria’s democracy.

The annual lecture is organised to provide a platform for scholars, activists and members of the public to reflect on the movement’s historical contributions and examine contemporary political and socio-economic issues affecting the country.

The lecture formed part of activities marking the 76th anniversary of NEPU, which was founded in 1950 and became associated with campaigns for social justice, political participation and the empowerment of ordinary people in Northern Nigeria.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Government has intensified its campaign to promote exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as one of the most effective strategies for combating child malnutrition and improving maternal and child health outcomes.

KANO FOCUS reports that the State Nutrition Officer, Aishatu Suleiman, stated this on Thursday during a road walk organised to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week. The awareness campaign began at the School of Hygiene and ended at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, attracting health workers, development partners, civil society organisations and government officials.

Ms Suleiman said the campaign was aimed at increasing public awareness of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and encouraging mothers to continue breastfeeding until children are two years old.

She said breast milk contains all the nutrients required for a baby’s growth and development while providing protection against common childhood illnesses.

“Exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for addressing malnutrition, which continues to be a major public health challenge in Kano State,” she said.

“We are here to support, protect and promote exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding up to two years. Breast milk provides all the nutritional requirements a baby needs and strengthens immunity.”

She explained that although World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally for seven days, Kano State has scheduled a three-day programme of advocacy and public enlightenment to engage communities on the importance of optimal breastfeeding practices.

UNICEF seeks stronger support for mothers

The Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, described breastfeeding as “the most sustainable food on earth” and called for stronger government policies to enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children.

Shafeeq Ur-Rehman

Speaking during the event, Mr Ur-Rehman said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to invest in proven interventions that improve child survival and development.

He noted that breast milk serves as a child’s first vaccine against illness, malnutrition and preventable deaths, while also contributing to improved cognitive development and future productivity.

“The evidence is overwhelming. Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent hundreds of thousands of maternal and child deaths each year,” he said.

Mr Ur-Rehman, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s low rates of optimal breastfeeding despite widespread acceptance of the practice.

According to him, while more than 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their children, fewer than one in ten newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth, and only about one in ten infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.

He stressed that breastfeeding should not be viewed solely as a mother’s responsibility but as a shared obligation involving governments, healthcare providers, families, workplaces and communities.

The UNICEF official urged states that have yet to adopt six months of paid maternity leave, including Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, to implement the policy.

He said longer maternity leave, flexible working hours, breastfeeding breaks, private lactation spaces and facilities for storing expressed breast milk would enable more mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding.

Partners advocate policy reforms

Also speaking, Salmanu Muhammad, the Kano State Coordinator of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), said the coalition has continued to complement government efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition through advocacy and community mobilisation.

He said CS-SUNN consistently engages government authorities, conducts public awareness campaigns and sensitises communities on the importance of optimal breastfeeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.

Muhammad added that the organisation also advocates the adoption and implementation of six months’ paid maternity leave to enable working mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants in line with global recommendations.

Also speaking, Shetima Kyari, representing the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Jhpiego), said the organisation has been supporting Kano State’s maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition programmes since last year.

He said Jhpiego works with secondary healthcare facilities across the state to promote early initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding beyond two years.

Mr Kyari identified cultural myths and misconceptions as major barriers preventing many mothers from practising optimal breastfeeding.

Chairperson of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Saadeq Suleiman, said the organisation supports governments through capacity building for healthcare workers, technical advisory services and policy development to improve maternal and child nutrition.

He said strengthening healthcare workers’ capacity and implementing evidence-based nutrition policies would increase breastfeeding rates and reduce child malnutrition.

Representing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Halima Katagum said the agency regulates the marketing of breast milk substitutes to prevent practices that discourage exclusive breastfeeding.

She explained that NAFDAC prohibits the promotion of infant formula through advertisements, branded gifts and other marketing activities targeting mothers.

“Our role is to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes so that mothers are encouraged to practise exclusive breastfeeding instead of relying on formula products,” she said.

KANO FOCUS reports that participants at the event called for sustained public awareness campaigns, stronger family and community support, and greater government investment in maternal and child nutrition to improve breastfeeding practices and child survival in Kano State.