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MURIC faults proposed U.S. sanctions on Kwankwaso, others

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Nura Abdullahi

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised a proposed bill by five United States lawmakers seeking sanctions against former Kano State governor and National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, among others.

 

 

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the bill reportedly recommends measures including visa bans and asset freezes over alleged religious freedom violations.

 

 

 

In a press release issued on Thursday, February 12, 2026, the Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, described the move as “lopsided, unjust and selective.”

 

 

 

Akintola argued that if sanctions are to be imposed, they should not focus solely on Muslim individuals and groups. He called for what he described as a balanced and comprehensive approach, alleging that there are also cases of religious extremism and violations committed by actors in other parts of the country.

 

 

 

“We affirm that there is denial of religious freedom and religious extremism in Nigeria,” he said. “But the culprits include fanatics among both Christians and Muslims. If sanctions are to be imposed, they must be comprehensive and unbiased.”

 

 

 

The group alleged that some government officials in Southern Nigeria and certain militia groups in North Central Nigeria have also been involved in rights violations and should be investigated if the U.S. intends to ensure fairness.

 

 

 

MURIC further claimed that U.S. officials often engage Christian leaders and activists from Nigeria without giving equal hearing to Muslim representatives, describing the approach as contrary to the principle of fairness.

 

 

 

Akintola also expressed concern over what he termed the “false designation” of Nigeria as a country perpetrating genocide against Christians, urging the U.S. Congress to conduct broader consultations and investigations before taking punitive measures.

 

 

 

The organisation said it has documented cases of alleged discrimination and marginalisation of Muslims in parts of Southern Nigeria and is prepared to present such records to international bodies if given the opportunity.

 

 

 

While stressing that Nigerian Muslims have no hostility toward the United States, MURIC called for caution, urging U.S. lawmakers to undertake further findings before imposing sanctions.

 

 

 

The group also warned that extremist organisations such as Boko Haram and ISIS should not be allowed to exploit the situation.

 

 

 

The proposed bill remains at the introduction stage in the U.S. Congress and has not yet been passed into law.

 

 

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“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice

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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

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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

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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.

 

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