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My comments on Kano abducted children were deliberately twisted–Emir Sanusi
By Nazifi Dawud & Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Emir of Kano Malam Muhammad Sunusi II has complained that his recent comments on the abduction of native Kano children by Igbo kidnappers, were deliberately misinterpreted by journalists.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Sanusi had November 9, 2019 sparked controversy after he accused parents of abducted children in the state of “criminal negligence”, with many people describing his comments as “insensitive”.
It could be recalled that the Kano Police Command had rescued ten missing children and paraded six Igbo natives who confessed to abducting the kids, renaming and forcefully converting them to Christianity before selling them in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Speaking during the 2019 Public Campaign on Drug Abuse organized by League for Societal protection against drugs abuse (LESPADA) held in Kano, the emir said parents of the abducted kids deserved to be jailed for allowing their children to roam the streets without supervision.
“People are talking that Igbo kidnapped our children, yes they did, but do they enter your house and steal them? Or you left your 3-year-old child roaming the street without knowing their whereabouts until they were missing?,” he had asked.
“Let’s tell ourselves the truth, I could remember when the case started and complaints were filed at the palace of missing children, what I said at that time was if I am the government I would have ordered the arrest of the parents for their negligence.
“I even asked my aides to find out from the commissioner of police if there is any law on criminal negligence. How can someone appear before the emir and say his 3-year-old or 4-year-old child was missing? Any person who comes to tell the emir that his 3-year-old child has been abducted while playing outside his house deserves to be jailed for criminal negligence,” the Emir added.
‘Deliberately misquoted’
However, reacting to the controversy last Wednesday, Mr Sanusi said his comments were deliberately misinterpreted by journalists.
He spoke while receiving the Commander-General of the state Hisbah board Sheikh Muhammad Harun Sani Ibni Sina, who had paid him a visit at his palace.
“People sometimes have to be patient with hearing things that may not please them. But after the anger and noises, people should sit down and think honestly and do justice to themselves. How we treat our wives and children. Have we treated them in accordance with the teachings of Islam?,” he asked.
“So, you have to understand. We know journalists and we have already said it that our comments will be deliberately twisted and misinterpreted and that was what happened. Even these latest comments I am making will be misinterpreted.
“I tell you, tomorrow you will read a different thing from what I said but I won’t stop saying the truth. And those that are doing it are not hurting the emir, these are issues about reforms in the society. And if they resist reforms, who are they harming?,” the emir asked.
‘Even non-Muslims know the value of safeguarding children’
The Emir said that in the (United States of) America, parents are punished whenever any of their children, below the age of 14, is seen roaming the streets.
“In America, if your child below the age of 14 is seen roaming the streets, it is you the parent that will be arrested. You must bring out your son or daughter and wait in front of your house for a school bus and the driver will collect your child from you.
“And after school closes, the school bus will return your child to your house and if you’re not there to collect him, the driver will not drop him off even though it is in front of your house. No, the driver will return the child to school and you must go there to pick your child. Most countries of the world even non-Muslim countries know the importance of safeguarding children,” Mr Sanusi said.
‘If one woman dies, there are 20 more’
The monarch lamented that the main problem affecting the Hausa society is how men are allowed to marry wives and produce children they cannot cater for.
“If one woman dies, a man feels there are 20 more out there for him. If one child is kidnapped, he will just marry another wife to give him another child,” he said.
“We are waiting for the governor to return. The committee that prepared that marriage reform law has almost finished. There are so many things in that law that will educate people on issues like this including the rights of children.
“And it is clearly stated in the law that if your child is found roaming the streets, you have committed an offence.
“You have tough responsibilities. And these responsibilities start from the family level: How to marry, how to manage a marriage and maintain a wife and how to raise children.
“Has a parent taken responsibility for his child, responsibilities placed on him by Allah for feeding, clothing and educating his child?
“When Allah gave you the privilege to marry two, three or four wives, He did not give you the right to leave your wife hungry,” Mr Sanusi added.
Ibrahim Khalil
Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed sadness over the death of former Managing Director of Radio Kano and Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, in a condolence message posted on his Facebook account on Sunday, described the late Getso as a seasoned broadcaster and accomplished media professional whose contributions to public communication and media development left a lasting impact on Kano State.
The former governor recalled that Getso served with distinction as Managing Director of ARTV and later as Managing Director of Radio Kano during his two tenures as governor of the state.
According to Kwankwaso, the deceased played a significant role in advancing public information dissemination and strengthening the media sector in Kano.
“His immense contributions to public communication, media development, and the overall progress of Kano State will be remembered for generations,” he stated.
Kwankwaso extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Getso community in Gwarzo Local Government Area, the government and people of Kano State, and members of the media profession.
He prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late media administrator, grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannah, and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Adamu Getso, a respected broadcaster and administrator, served in key leadership positions within Kano State-owned media organisations and was widely acknowledged for his contributions to the growth of broadcasting in the state. His death has continued to attract tributes from political leaders, journalists, and members of the public.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Managing Director of CTV 67 Television, now known as the Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), between 2000 and 2003, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s condolence message was conveyed in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
Governor Yusuf described the late Getso as a distinguished broadcaster, seasoned administrator, and dedicated public servant who devoted his life to the advancement of journalism, public enlightenment, and the promotion of societal values through the media.
According to the governor, the deceased was widely respected for his honesty, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service, qualities that earned him admiration from colleagues, government officials, and members of the public.
The governor recalled that after his appointment as Managing Director of CTV 67 Television, Getso served as the Managing Director of Radio Kano, between 2011 and 2015.
During his tenure, the late media administrator made significant contributions to the growth and development of television broadcasting in Kano State, Governor Yusuf noted.
He further stated that Getso later served as Managing Director of Radio Kano from 2011 to 2015, where he provided exemplary leadership and implemented reforms that strengthened the station’s position as one of the leading public broadcasting organisations in Northern Nigeria.
On behalf of the government and people of Kano State, Governor Yusuf extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the management and staff of Radio Kano and ARTV, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the wider media community.
The governor prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds with Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
KANO FOCUS reports that the death of Adamu Getso has been described by many as a significant loss to the media industry in Kano State and Nigeria at large, given his decades of service and contributions to the development of broadcasting.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The NNPC Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of NNPC Limited, has donated a state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano State, in a move aimed at improving access to advanced diagnostic healthcare services.
KANO FOCUS reports that the MRI system was commissioned and officially handed over during a ceremony held at the hospital premises in Kano on Thursday.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, Andy Odeh, the intervention is part of the company’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding access to quality medical services across Nigeria.
The statement noted that the facility would significantly enhance the diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic, neurological, trauma-related, musculoskeletal, and gynaecological conditions.
Before the donation, patients requiring advanced MRI diagnostic services often faced challenges, including long-distance travel, lengthy waiting periods, and delays in treatment due to limited availability and high costs.
Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, represented by the Managing Director of the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Emmanuella Arukwe, said the donation aligns with the company’s broader objective of contributing to national healthcare development.
“At NNPC Limited, we are intentional about ensuring that our social investments are impactful, sustainable, and beneficial to the communities we serve. Through the NNPC Foundation, we will continue to implement interventions that create measurable social value across Nigeria,” she said.
Arukwe described the intervention as timely, noting that it would help address challenges associated with inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited medical equipment, and the growing demand for specialised medical services.
Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Business Services of NNPC Limited, Mrs. Sophia Mbakwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Management at the NNPC Foundation, Mrs. Rose Okonkwo, said the company remained committed to improving the lives of Nigerians beyond its core oil and gas operations.
She said the donation reflected NNPC Limited’s determination to deliver sustainable and impactful interventions, particularly for underserved and vulnerable populations.
“By this intervention, NNPC Limited aims to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve the quality of life of the people of Kano State, the North-West region, and all Nigerians who depend on the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, for specialised medical care,” she stated.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, commended the NNPC Foundation for the donation, describing it as a major milestone in improving healthcare services through early and accurate diagnosis.
He noted that access to advanced diagnostic equipment would contribute significantly to better patient outcomes and improved healthcare delivery in the state and beyond.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Dr. Isa Nurudeen, expressed appreciation to NNPC Limited for the intervention.
He said the MRI machine would have a transformative impact on the hospital’s operations and significantly improve the quality of specialised healthcare services offered to patients.
The event was attended by officials of NNPC Limited, management and staff of the hospital, government representatives, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
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