Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has appointed its Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, as the new President of the Council following the death of its former leader, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.

KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made in a statement released by the Council’s Secretary General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, who described Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing on Monday as a profound loss to the Council and the broader Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.

Offering prayers for the late cleric, the Council noted that Dr Bashir’s appointment was made in line with the organisation’s constitution and established procedures.

“The Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON, has been unanimously confirmed as the new President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We express our full confidence in Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Shari’ah and justice.”

The Council added that a new Vice President will be announced in due course and called for continued prayers and support from the Muslim community as it pursues its mission to uphold Islamic principles across the country.

Dr Bashir is widely respected in the fields of Islamic studies and Islamic finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Hadith and Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Madinah and has served on several key national and international Shari’ah and Islamic banking committees, including the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and the Council of Experts on Islamic Banking under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Emir of Kano, His Highness Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Government to reinstate the position of a National Amirul Hajj, a revered tradition that once provided strong leadership and coordination for Nigerian pilgrims during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement signed by the Kano Pligrims spokesperson Sulaiman Dederi the Emir made the appeal Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board at his palace.

He emphasized the historic and spiritual importance of appointing a National Amirul Hajj, describing the role as deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and dating back to the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who advocated for the appointment of leaders to guide pilgrims on their sacred journey.

“This is a time-honored Islamic practice that ensures order, discipline, and effective representation of our nation during the Hajj exercise,” the Emir stated. “Reviving this position is not just symbolic—it is necessary for the spiritual, administrative, and diplomatic success of our pilgrimage missions.”

The Emir further stressed that the consistent appointment of a National Amirul Hajj would enhance Nigeria’s coordination during Hajj operations and ensure the welfare of pilgrims across all states.

Earlier, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, informed the Emir that the Board was at the palace to formally invite him to attend the final Hajj demonstration scheduled at the Hajj Camp in Kano.

He disclosed that all preparations had been finalized for the airlift of pilgrims from the state, which is set to begin on May 13, 2025.

Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, commended the Emir for his consistent support and advocacy for the welfare of pilgrims.

He joined the call for the Federal Government to prioritize the reappointment of a National Amirul Hajj, saying it would further solidify Nigeria’s image and leadership among the global Muslim community.

The visit reflects a growing call among Hajj stakeholders for stronger central coordination of the pilgrimage, especially as thousands of Nigerian Muslims prepare for this year’s journey to the Holy Land.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has heartily congratulated Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo on his emergence as the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.

This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.

Governor Yusuf described Dangambo’s election as a significant step towards strengthening professionalism and ethical journalism in the digital media space.

He commended the leadership of the NUJ Kano Council under the able leadership of Comrade Sulieman Dederi for the successful establishment of the Online Media Chapel, which he said will complement the efforts of traditional media in promoting truth, fairness, and integrity.

The Governor expressed confidence that under Dangambo’s leadership, the Online Media Chapel would set a new standard for responsible and development-driven journalism in Kano State and beyond.

He assured of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote credible information dissemination, media development, and the unity of practitioners.

Governor Yusuf wished Comrade Dangambo and the entire executive council a successful and impactful tenure, urging them to work diligently in fostering professionalism, building capacity, and enhancing the role of online journalism in the state’s growth and progress.