Headlines
Tragedy in Kano: Four Sisters Die of Diphtheria in Two Weeks
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The small compound of the Maitama family in Hotoron Yan Dodo, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State, once echoed with the laughter of children.
Today, silence hangs heavy in the air, broken only by the muffled sobs of a father who has buried four of his daughters in less than two weeks.
For Malam Yusuf Maitama, life has changed forever. “I buried them one after another. Four of my daughters in two weeks,” he says, his voice trembling as he recounts the tragedy. “No father should ever go through this.”
A disease few to recognized
It started innocently enough. His youngest child, a lively girl under five, woke up with fever and sore throat. A whitish membrane appeared in her throat — a warning sign of diphtheria, though the family didn’t recognize it at the time.
“She became weak very quickly,” Yusuf recalls. “We rushed her to the hospital, but she didn’t survive that same day.”
Just days later, tragedy struck again. His seven-year-old daughter developed similar symptoms. This time, the family hurried to seek medical care, but it was too late. She died within two days.
“At that point, neighbors began saying maybe it was spiritual. But the doctors told me clearly — it was diphtheria,” he says, his eyes glistening with tears.
Wthen hospital beds aren’t enough
Soon after, his third daughter fell ill. She was admitted to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, where doctors warned that one of her kidneys was failing. Yet with no beds available, the family was forced to take her home temporarily.
“She died that very night,” Yusuf says, his voice heavy with regret.
Just days later, his fourth daughter also died, making the tally four funerals in less than 14 days. Only his eldest child survived, after receiving urgent medical treatment.
A community in fear
The Maitama tragedy has rippled across Hotoron Yan Dodo. Parents now live in fear, clutching their children tighter. Health workers have since moved in, fumigating the family house and vaccinating children in the neighborhood.
“This is a wake-up call for everyone,” says a community health volunteer. “When a disease wipes out almost a whole family, the entire community must pay attention.”
Diphtheria’s grip on Kano
The deaths come amid Kano’s ongoing battle with diphtheria, one of the deadliest vaccine-preventable diseases.
Since 2023, the state has recorded over 10,000 cases and nearly 1,000 deaths.
Health experts warn that low vaccination rates, delays in hospital visits, and poor health infrastructure are fueling the crisis.
A July 2025 study by the National Library of Medicine revealed that unvaccinated children face over double the risk of death compared to vaccinated ones. Even children with no vaccination records were found to have an 87% higher risk of death.
Government response
According to Kano State Ministry of Health spokesperson, Nablusi Abubakar Kofar Naisa, the majority of children who die from diphtheria are unvaccinated.
“If you hear of a death, it’s likely the child was not vaccinated. That’s the main issue. Immunization is free, yet many parents don’t take advantage of it,” he said.
The state government has since designated a special hospital for diphtheria cases, directed all hospitals to provide free treatment, and intensified vaccination campaigns.
A father’s unshakable loss
For Malam Yusuf, however, government statistics are far removed from his reality. His once lively home now feels hollow.
He remembers their laughter, the way they ran around the compound, the way the youngest always clung to his side. Now, he only has one daughter left.
“They were healthy. They were full of life. Then suddenly, they were gone,” he says, his voice breaking. “I still can’t believe it.”
The four small graves in Hotoron Yan Dodo stand as a stark reminder: diphtheria is not a forgotten disease. It is here, it is deadly, and it is preventable.
Until parents embrace immunization and health systems are strengthened, tragedies like that of the Maitama family may continue to haunt Kano.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has approved the establishment of a Technical Committee to tackle the persistent issue of poor employment representation of Kano State indigenes in federal government agencies, as well as private and voluntary institutions operating within the state.
KANO FOCUS the committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim, at his office in Kano. Speaking at the inauguration, the SSG expressed deep concern over what he described as the continued marginalisation of Kano indigenes in employment opportunities, despite Kano being the most populous state in the country.
He noted that Kano has not received its fair share of jobs, even in federal and private institutions located within the state, stressing that the high rate of unemployment among youths in Kano—believed to be higher than in any other state—demands urgent and decisive government intervention.
“This is the right time to reclaim what truly belongs to us,” Alhaji Umar Faruk Ibrahim declared, adding that the present moment offers an opportunity for meaningful and sustainable action.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary in the Office of the SSG, Musa Tanko Muhammad, explained that the committee was carefully constituted with experienced individuals drawn from various sectors of public service.
He announced Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, Special Adviser to the Governor on Policy and Social Development, as Chairman of the committee, with Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, Special Adviser on Human Resource, serving as Co-Chairman.
Other members of the committee include Salisu Mustapha, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Civil Service; Ibrahim Muhammad Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties; Hon. Ali Yahuza Gano, Special Adviser on Metropolitan Affairs; Alhaji Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment; and Hon. Ado Muhammad Wudil, Executive Secretary, Guidance and Counselling Board. The committee’s activities will be coordinated by Salisu Musa Aliyu, Principal Assistant Secretary in the REPA Directorate of the SSG’s Office.
The committee is mandated to review employment practices in federal, private, and voluntary institutions operating in Kano State, determine the level of employment of Kano indigenes, engage relevant organisations on recruitment guidelines, and collaborate with the Federal Character Commission to ensure fairness and compliance with existing regulations. Its ultimate objective is to develop practical and lasting solutions that will improve employment opportunities for Kano State indigenes.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Dr. Danyaro Ali Yakasai, expressed gratitude to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the confidence reposed in the team. He assured that members would work diligently to justify the trust and appealed to the people of Kano State for prayers and cooperation.
The committee is expected to submit its report within four weeks.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his long-time political ally, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on his 76th birthday, marked on December 25.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dr. Ganduje as an astute politician and accomplished administrator who has devoted over five decades to public service in Nigeria.
The President recalled that Dr. Ganduje served the nation in several key capacities, including as a senior administrator in the Federal Capital Territory before returning to Kano State to serve as Commissioner for Works during the military era. He later became a two-term Deputy Governor of Kano State and subsequently served two consecutive terms as Governor of the state.
Dr. Ganduje, who also served as National Chairman of the APC, is currently the Chairman of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
President Tinubu praised Ganduje’s enduring friendship and political collaboration, noting his significant contributions to the growth and stability of the ruling party.
“I will forever appreciate Ganduje’s friendship and close collaboration at different times, as well as his services to the APC,” the President said.
He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the former Kano State governor good health and long life to enable him to continue serving Nigeria and humanity.
Dr. Ganduje’s 76th birthday has drawn goodwill messages from political leaders and associates across the country, celebrating his long years of service and contributions to national development.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
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