Opinion
Abba Care: A Lifeline of Compassion in Kano State
Lamara Garba Azare
In Kano State, compassion has found structure. It has found funding. It has found direction. Under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, healthcare is no longer a privilege negotiated by wealth; it is a right strengthened by policy. What is unfolding across the state is more than reform. It is a moral commitment woven into governance. It is Abba Care.
At the heart of this transformation is the introduction of free antenatal care and free delivery services for pregnant women in public health facilities. For countless families, this single decision has lifted a burden carried in silence for years. Pregnancy, once shadowed by fear of hospital bills, is gradually becoming a journey supported by public responsibility.
A visit to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in the heart of Kano tells the story better than statistics ever could. The maternity sections are vibrant with activity. Pregnant women arrive daily for routine checks, scans and medical consultations. The waiting areas are filled not with despair, but with expectation. The large turnout reflects renewed trust in government facilities. It demonstrates that when care is made accessible, citizens respond.
The visible reduction in maternal mortality in the state is no accident. It is the natural outcome of access. When women attend antenatal clinics regularly, complications are detected early. When deliveries take place in properly equipped facilities under trained supervision, risks are significantly reduced. Lives are saved quietly, steadily and consistently.
But Abba Care goes beyond maternity services. Through the initiative and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund interventions, free medical services are extended to pregnant women, children under five, sickle cell patients, the elderly aged 65 and above, and persons living with disabilities. It embraces those who often stand at the fragile edges of society. It ensures that vulnerability does not translate into abandonment.
Beyond direct service delivery, the administration has deliberately strengthened and revitalised key health institutions. While the Kano Health Trust Fund and the Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency predated the current administration, they have received renewed direction and operational momentum.
When this government assumed office, drug availability in public health facilities stood at below 30 percent. Today, availability has risen to over 95 percent, ensuring that patients who visit government hospitals are far more likely to receive the medicines prescribed to them. That shift has restored confidence in public facilities and reduced the burden of out-of-pocket spending.
Similarly, the Kano Health Trust Fund, once relatively unknown within the system, has emerged as a strong pillar of support across the sector. The Fund provides financial backing to primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. It supports health-related Ministries, Departments and Agencies and extends assistance to health training institutions. In doing so, it strengthens infrastructure, manpower development and service delivery across multiple levels of care.
Most significantly, the recent establishment of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control has positioned the state as a pioneer in subnational health security, making Kano the first in Nigeria to create such a structure with regulatory authority over communicable and non-communicable diseases. Together, these institutions form a coordinated framework that reinforces the government’s commitment to quality, accessible and resilient healthcare delivery.
Speaking on the mandate of the Centre, its Director-General, Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas, described the agency as a defining milestone in the state’s public health journey. He explained that the Centre is designed not only to respond to outbreaks but also to strengthen surveillance systems, coordinate rapid response teams, regulate disease control programmes and deepen community engagement in prevention efforts. According to him, the agency has already undertaken case management activities, public sensitisation campaigns and field investigations in communities where suspected infectious diseases were reported. He reiterated its commitment to preparedness, transparency, scientific evidence and strong collaboration with partners and stakeholders.
Equally reassuring is the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS). This initiative provides free emergency response and treatment to victims of automobile accidents, gunshot wounds, violent attacks and other critical situations. Pregnant women in distress, patients with hypertension, people living with HIV and individuals battling terminal illnesses are attended to without hesitation over payment. In moments when seconds matter, government intervention becomes the difference between survival and tragedy.
The circle of compassion widens further. Inmates of correctional and rehabilitation homes, as well as elderly residents in Shahuci homes, are also beneficiaries of free medical services. These are citizens who might otherwise be overlooked in policy conversations. Yet under this administration, they are remembered, included and protected.
There is philosophy in this approach. A government reveals its character by how it treats the weakest among its people. When the elderly can access treatment without fear of cost, dignity is restored to ageing. When children under five receive free care, the foundation of the future is strengthened. When persons living with disabilities are covered, inclusion becomes practical rather than rhetorical.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s leadership style reflects calm resolve. He does not merely speak about compassion; he institutionalises it. Abba Care is not charity. It is structured empathy translated into sustainable intervention. It recognises that public office is a trust and that power must bend toward the protection of life.
Across Kano, families now speak with relief rather than anxiety. A father no longer calculates whether he can afford treatment for his sick child. A mother no longer postpones clinic visits due to registration fees. An elderly citizen walks into a health facility knowing that age has not diminished his worth in the eyes of government.
Healthcare reform may appear technical on paper, filled with acronyms and budgets. On the ground, however, it is deeply human. It is the smile of a discharged patient. It is the cry of a newborn delivered safely. It is the quiet gratitude of a grandmother whose blood pressure is managed without financial strain.
Abba Care represents a broader belief: that development must begin with people. Roads and buildings matter, but healthy citizens matter more. By investing in maternal health, emergency services, chronic illness care and protection for the vulnerable, Kano State is shaping a future anchored in human wellbeing.
Since the introduction of this policy, the impact is visible. Confidence is growing. Trust between government and the governed is deepening.
More importantly, in safeguarding mothers, children, the elderly, the sick and the marginalised, Kano safeguards tomorrow. Abba Care stands not merely as a policy, but as a living reminder that leadership, when guided by humility and compassion, can touch lives in the most profound ways.
Lamara Garba Azare, a veteran journalist, writes from Kano.
Mustapha Muhammad
As the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the signs pointing towards a possible victory for Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf in his bid for a second term as Executive Governor of Kano State are becoming clearer by the day. The road, once fraught with political obstacles, conflicts, and challenges, appears to be clearing rapidly. Victory is increasingly within sight, God willing.
The foundation of Governor Yusuf’s political momentum rests on his administration’s performance, astute political manoeuvring, successful consensus-building during party primaries, and proactive reconciliation efforts. By bringing key political figures from Kano’s three senatorial districts—South, North, and Central—under one umbrella, coupled with the perceived decline in the influence of the Kwankwasiyya movement following widespread defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Yusuf has positioned himself favourably ahead of the forthcoming election.
He stands out among the contenders for the Kano governorship. His political resilience and strategic departure from what he considers the troubled waters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) demonstrate his ability to navigate complex political challenges in pursuit of victory.
Below are some of the key factors driving Governor Yusuf’s political momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Transformative Governance and Administrative Scorecard
Over the past three years, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has implemented people-oriented projects and policies aimed at improving the lives of Kano residents across critical sectors.
Educational Revitalisation
Increased budgetary allocation: Funding for education rose from 29.5 per cent in 2024 to 30.5 per cent in 2025 and reached 31.5 per cent in 2026, out of a total state budget exceeding ₦1.47 trillion.
Massive recruitment: Nearly 20,000 teachers, including personnel recruited under the Kano State Better Education for All (BESDA) initiative, were employed to address critical teacher shortages in classrooms.
Infrastructure upgrades: Nearly 400 schools across the state’s 44 local government areas (LGAs) have undergone complete renovation, alongside ongoing construction projects.
Academic excellence: Kano State led national performance rankings in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in 2025 and 2026. In 2026, the state produced 74,413 candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, surpassing Lagos State, with 72,496 candidates, and Oyo State, with 55,543.
Healthcare Modernisation and Pension Delivery
Primary healthcare overhaul: More than 340 primary healthcare centres across the 44 LGAs have been renovated.
Hospital expansion: At least 10 new general hospitals have been constructed in underserved LGAs, while work is ongoing on six additional facilities to ensure that every LGA has a dedicated general hospital.
Modern equipment: Health facilities have been equipped with CT scanners, dialysis units, ultrasound machines, and automated laboratory analysers.
Settlement of pension arrears: Of the inherited ₦48 billion backlog of pension and gratuity liabilities, the administration has disbursed more than ₦32 billion to retirees.
Agricultural Development and Rural Infrastructure
Farm mechanisation and subsidies: The state procured 98 tractors and 48 combine harvesters while introducing a 50 per cent fertiliser subsidy programme across all LGAs.
Irrigation expansion: The rehabilitation of the Watari Irrigation Scheme expanded irrigation coverage by 1,000 hectares, with the aim of boosting year-round agricultural production.
Road networks and urban renewal: Eighteen of the 34 planned five-kilometre rural road projects have been completed, with solar streetlights installed. In addition, 12 of the 24 planned urban renewal road projects, covering approximately 76 kilometres, have been delivered.
Bridge reconstruction: The Kubaraci-Kura Bridge was restored, reopening important economic and transportation corridors.
Empowerment and Skills Acquisition
Social safety nets: Monthly stipends of ₦50,000 are provided to 5,200 women, while grants of ₦150,000 have been distributed to youths across the state.
Entrepreneurship: Twenty-six technical and entrepreneurship institutes have been revitalised to provide practical vocational training and equip beneficiaries with relevant skills.
Political Realignment and Party Unity
Governor Yusuf demonstrated political foresight by defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His decision, in the view of his supporters, was timely and strategically informed by the need to secure his political future.
The subsequent defections from the NNPP by members of the Kwankwasiyya movement have, according to this argument, strengthened the case for his political realignment. The move also positioned him and his supporters within a political platform they consider more advantageous ahead of the 2027 elections.
Furthermore, as the state’s APC leader, Governor Yusuf successfully managed the consensus process during the party primaries, resulting in what supporters described as a “no victor, no vanquished” outcome.
His ongoing reconciliation efforts have also helped bring political stakeholders from Kano’s three senatorial districts together, strengthening the prospect of a united political front ahead of the 2027 polls.
With his administration’s reported achievements, political realignment, and reconciliation efforts, Governor Yusuf’s supporters believe he is well positioned to secure a second term in office.
No doubt, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, is traversing the path to victory in the 2027 general elections.
Mustapha Muhammad is the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf. He writes from Kano.
Jamilu Uba Adamu
Some people come into our lives and leave an indelible mark that transcends blood relations. Through their honesty, humility, nobility, contentment and disregard for worldly ostentation, they become more than friends or acquaintances; they become second fathers whose wisdom and kindness shape our lives.
Late Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare was one such rare individual. His death is not merely the loss of a respected sports administrator but the departure of a father figure, mentor and custodian of Kano’s sporting heritage.
A Bond Beyond Blood
My relationship with the late Maizare began through my elder brother, Abdullahi Bayero Uba Adamu, who worked under him at the Kano State Sports Commission. My passion for sports naturally brought me closer to him and strengthened the bond that would eventually develop into a father-and-son relationship.
I vividly remember the day my elder brother escorted me to Maizare’s residence at Kofar Wambai Quarters in Kano and introduced me to him. What began as a simple introduction blossomed into a lasting relationship. From that day, I became a regular visitor to his home, where I found not just a sports enthusiast and administrator but a father figure whose counsel and encouragement meant so much to me.
His home became a place where I could seek guidance, share my concerns and learn valuable lessons about sports and life. He welcomed my questions, listened patiently to my challenges and offered advice without hesitation. His humility made him approachable, while his wealth of experience made his counsel invaluable.
The Shocking News of His Death
I was attending a training course in Jos, Plateau State, when the news of his death reached me. We had just stepped out for a break after a rigorous and exhausting lecture. I switched on my mobile data to check my WhatsApp messages.
Although I belong to several WhatsApp groups, one platform I regularly follow is the Kano Sports Commission group, driven by my enduring passion for sports in Kano.
After attending to some personal messages, I opened the Commission’s group. Almost immediately, I came across a series of condolence messages announcing the death of Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare.
I was stunned. For a moment, I struggled to comprehend what I was reading. Before I could fully process the devastating news, I received a phone call from Malam Haruna Sabga, one of his neighbours at Kofar Wambai Quarters, who confirmed that Maizare had passed away.
The confirmation plunged me into deep sorrow. I felt like crying, my mood changed instantly, and I completely lost my appetite.
It was difficult to accept that someone who had played such a significant role in my life was gone. Beyond the public figure known within Kano’s sporting circles was a man whose personal kindness, encouragement and fatherly affection had touched my life profoundly.
A Mentor Who Believed in My Potential
One of the qualities I will forever remember about Maizare was his unwavering encouragement. He consistently motivated me to participate actively in sporting activities and supported my efforts to contribute to sports development.
His influence and fatherly support recently contributed to my appointment as Team Manager of the Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team and Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association.
These appointments represent more than personal achievements to me. They also remind me of the encouragement I received from a man who believed in nurturing others and helping them discover opportunities to serve.
Maizare understood that sports administration was not merely about organising competitions or managing teams. It was also about identifying talent, encouraging young people, sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for others to contribute meaningfully to society.
He was always willing to offer guidance whenever I encountered difficulties. Whenever I faced a challenging situation in sports, he was among the first people I contacted. He would listen attentively and offer practical solutions, never making me feel that my concerns were unimportant.
That willingness to help, even when there was nothing to gain personally, distinguished him as a genuine mentor.
His Contribution to Documenting Kano’s Football History
One of the most enduring aspects of my relationship with the late Maizare was his invaluable contribution to the successful writing of my book, *Takaitaccen Tarihin Wasan Kwallon Kafa a Kano* (A Brief History of Football in Kano).
Documenting the history of football in Kano required access to reliable information, historical accounts and the experiences of people who had witnessed the evolution of the game. Maizare proved to be an invaluable source of knowledge and guidance throughout the process.
He never grew tired of attending to me. He patiently answered my questions and shared insights that helped me navigate the challenges of documenting the history of football in the state.
His support went beyond the ordinary assistance of a friend or acquaintance. He understood the importance of preserving sporting history for future generations and willingly contributed to an effort that would help keep Kano’s football heritage alive.
Looking back, I realise that his contribution to the book was part of a much broader legacy. He was not simply sharing information; he was helping preserve the collective memory of Kano’s sporting community.
More Than a Sports Administrator
Late Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare was more than a sports administrator. He was a school from which others could learn, an archive of sporting memories and an encyclopaedia of Kano’s sports history.
His knowledge, built on years of experience and close association with the sporting community, made him a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the development of sports in Kano.
Yet, his greatness was not defined by knowledge alone. His humility, generosity, patience and commitment to youth development made him an exceptional human being.
In a world where positions and titles sometimes create barriers between leaders and those they serve, Maizare remained accessible and approachable. He demonstrated that true leadership is not measured solely by the authority one possesses but also by the lives one touches and the opportunities one creates for others.
His life offers an important lesson to sports administrators and public servants: institutions become stronger when experienced individuals are willing to mentor younger people, preserve institutional memory and pass on knowledge rather than keep it to themselves.
For Kano State, his passing should serve as a reminder of the importance of documenting the experiences of veteran sports administrators and preserving the history of the state’s sporting achievements. When such individuals pass away without their knowledge and experiences being adequately documented, society risks losing an irreplaceable part of its heritage.
A Loss Beyond the Family
The death of Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare is a profound loss not only to his immediate family but also to the sporting fraternity in Kano State and Nigeria at large.
For those who knew him professionally, he was a repository of sports knowledge and experience. For those who benefited from his mentorship, he was a source of guidance and encouragement. For me, he was a father figure whose support and kindness I will continue to cherish.
Although death has taken him away from us, the values he embodied and the lives he influenced remain part of his enduring legacy. His contributions to sports administration, youth development and the preservation of Kano’s football history will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Personally, I will forever remember him with gratitude. I will remember his patience, his encouragement, his willingness to help and his unwavering belief in the value of sports. Above all, I will remember the fatherly relationship we shared, which was built not on blood ties but on mutual respect, kindness and genuine affection.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, illuminate his grave and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. May Allah also grant his family, friends, colleagues and the entire sporting community the strength and patience to bear this irreparable loss.
Alhaji Bashir Ahmed Maizare may be gone, but his legacy lives on in the people he mentored, the knowledge he shared and the sporting history he helped preserve.
Ameen.
Jamilu Uba Adamu is a sports writer based in Kano.
Safiyanu Bichi
When Abia State Governor Alex Otti recently pulled off his shoe and proudly declared, “This is Aba Made,” the gesture went beyond the shoe itself. It offered a simple but powerful demonstration of what deliberate government patronage can do for local industry.
The message for Kano is equally important: where is Made-in-Kano in government procurement?
This is a question Kano can no longer afford to ignore.
For decades, Kano has been one of Nigeria’s important commercial and industrial centres. The state has a long tradition of manufacturing, textile production, leatherwork, furniture making, tailoring, metalwork, food processing and a wide range of small and medium-scale enterprises.
Yet having businesses and skilled artisans is not enough. Local industries need markets, and government procurement is one of the largest markets available in any economy.
The Kano State Government spends billions of naira annually on infrastructure, furniture, uniforms, clothing, construction materials, office equipment, vehicles, signage and other goods and services. The critical question is how much of this expenditure remains within Kano and how much leaves the state.
This is where a deliberate Kano Local Content Policy becomes necessary.
Every major state government project and Bill of Quantities (BOQ) should, where technically and economically feasible, contain a clearly defined local-content component. A target of 40 per cent Kano content could provide a practical starting point.
The idea is not to sacrifice quality or value for money. Rather, it is to ensure that qualified Kano-based businesses are given a fair opportunity to compete for government patronage.
If the government buys furniture from Kano manufacturers, contracts uniforms from local textile and garment producers, procures locally manufactured footwear and leather products, and sources other goods and services from competent businesses within the state, public expenditure can generate a multiplier effect across the local economy.
The money does not simply disappear after a government contract is executed. It circulates.
A furniture company pays its workers. Workers spend their earnings in local markets. Manufacturers purchase materials from other businesses. Transporters earn income. Artisans receive more orders. Businesses expand and potentially employ more people.
In other words, government procurement can become an instrument of economic development.
This is particularly important at a time when Kano needs to create more productive opportunities for its growing population, especially young people.
The state does not have to begin from scratch. Kano already possesses the human capital, entrepreneurial culture and business networks required to support a stronger local-content regime.
What is needed is deliberate policy, transparent implementation and consistent monitoring.
The government could begin by identifying categories of goods and services that can realistically be sourced within Kano. It could establish a database of qualified local manufacturers, contractors, artisans and suppliers, while maintaining clear standards for quality, pricing and delivery.
There should also be safeguards against turning local-content policy into another avenue for patronage. The objective should not be to favour politically connected businesses. It should be to create opportunities for genuine Kano-based enterprises that can meet established standards.
That distinction matters.
A successful local-content policy must combine local patronage with competition, quality, transparency and accountability.
The experience highlighted by Governor Otti offers Kano an opportunity for reflection. A simple act of wearing a locally made product can draw attention to an entire ecosystem of producers, workers and entrepreneurs behind that product.
Kano can create its own version of that story.
Imagine a government school furnished by Kano manufacturers, public institutions using locally produced furniture, uniforms supplied by Kano garment producers, official events showcasing locally produced textiles and leather goods, and government projects deliberately creating opportunities for competent local suppliers.
That would make “Made-in-Kano” more than a slogan.
It would make it part of government’s economic strategy.
Kano has the people. Kano has the skills. Kano has the entrepreneurs. Kano has the markets.
What is required is a deliberate decision to connect government spending with the productive capacity of the state.
Let Kano Government buy Made-in-Kano.
A 40 per cent Kano Local Content target should not be treated as another political promise. It should be the beginning of a measurable procurement policy that keeps more public money within the Kano economy, strengthens local businesses, supports jobs and helps rebuild the productive foundation of the state.
The real question is no longer whether Kano can produce.
The question is whether Kano is ready to buy what Kano produces.
Safiyanu Bichi is a member of the Kano Budget Working Group.
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