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Tinubu urges religious leaders to speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders across Africa and beyond to consistently speak out against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
KANO FOCUS reports that Tinubu said no genuine service to God could be advanced through the destruction of innocent human lives.
The President made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
Addressing the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, Islamic scholars, spiritual leaders and adherents from Nigeria and other countries, Mr Tinubu said religious leaders had a crucial responsibility to confront violence, extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.
“Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty,” Mr Tinubu said.
He urged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral development of young people.
He also called on religious leaders to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful resolution of grievances.
The President said religious leaders should remind political leaders of their responsibilities to govern with justice and compassion, while urging citizens not to turn legitimate grievances into justification for lawlessness or violence.
“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred,” he said.
117.8m forcibly displaced globally
President Tinubu said the Maulud was being held at a critical period in global affairs, with societies facing conflicts, uncertainty, climate shocks, food and energy crises, violent extremism, terrorism and transnational crimes.
Citing a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, he said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide at the end of 2025.
He said the scale of the challenges facing humanity had made the intervention of spiritual leaders increasingly important.
According to him, religious leaders “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and address deep-seated hatred and bitterness.
Tinubu seeks Tijjaniyya’s support
President Tinubu said the Tijjaniyya community, with its extensive spiritual networks across West Africa, North Africa and other parts of the world, had significant relationships and moral influence that could be deployed towards reconciliation, countering violent extremism, youth guidance and humanitarian support.
He said the Federal Government recognised the important roles of religious and traditional leaders in promoting tolerance, countering misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthening grassroots peacebuilding and promoting peaceful coexistence.
The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to regional cooperation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, economic integration and dialogue.
He said Nigeria’s strategic position at the intersection of West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic region meant that its peace and stability had implications beyond its borders.
“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria,” he said.
He added that religious communities with strong transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, could become valuable partners in building social peace alongside governments and regional institutions.
Nigeria’s diversity is a strength
President Tinubu said the partnership between government and religious institutions should harness the ethical values of religion, including truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life.
He described Nigeria’s diversity and plurality as among the country’s greatest strengths.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration would continue to protect freedom of worship while strengthening collaboration with religious and traditional institutions to promote peace, mutual respect and national cohesion.
He welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, scholars, spiritual leaders and other guests who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries to attend the Maulud.
He described Nigeria as a country where the Tijjaniyya tradition had developed deep roots in scholarship, remembrance, service, moral instruction and peaceful community life.
President Tinubu recalled receiving a high-level delegation of the Supreme Council of Tijjaniyya at the State House in Abuja, where prayers were offered for Nigeria’s peace, unity and prosperity, as well as the continued relationship between Nigeria and Algeria.
Tinubu pays tribute to Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi
The President said the Maulud provided an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on and renew their commitment to the teachings of Islam, the love of Prophet Muhammad and the spiritual legacy of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
He highlighted humility, mercy, wisdom, service and providing comfort to others as among the virtues associated with the occasion.
President Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, whose foundation played a major role in organising the Maulud.
He described Sheikh Dahiru, who died in November 2025, as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”
The President said the most enduring way to honour the late Islamic scholar would be to preserve his legacy of Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for society’s wellbeing.
President Tinubu commended the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, the Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Kano State Government, scholars, traditional rulers, security and emergency services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the successful hosting of the event.
“Nigeria is honoured by your presence and we pray that you return to your homes safely, carrying with you the affection and hospitality of the Nigerian people,” he said.
“May Almighty Allah accept the prayers and acts of devotion offered at this Maulud.”
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.
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Experts in reproductive health have called for improved access to contraceptive services in Nigeria, saying women and girls should be provided with accurate information and the freedom to make informed choices about family planning.
KANO FOCUS reports that they made the call on Wednesday during a virtual engagement organised by the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) to mark the 2026 World Contraception Day.
Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the Centre for Bridging Health Gaps (CBHG), Dr Moriam Jagun, said misconceptions surrounding family planning remained a major barrier to contraceptive uptake.
Dr Moriam Jagun
Jagun said neither Islam nor Catholicism was against family planning, urging the media and health stakeholders to address religious and cultural misconceptions with accurate information.
She said fears that contraceptive use could cause infertility, cancer, excessive bleeding and other health problems also discouraged some women from using family planning methods.
According to her, such concerns should not simply be dismissed as myths, but should be addressed through honest counselling and evidence-based information that enables women to make informed decisions.
Jagun said contraceptive prevalence remained low in Nigeria, putting the national average at about 15 per cent, compared with 31 per cent in Lagos.
She also cited research showing that educated people were more likely to embrace family planning than those with lower levels of education.
She therefore called for greater attention to marginalised, vulnerable and underserved communities, saying national averages could conceal significant inequalities in access to reproductive health services.
Jagun said access should not be measured simply by whether contraceptives were available in health facilities.
She identified financial, physical, social, cultural and religious, as well as informational barriers that could prevent women from accessing services even when contraceptives were available.
“Availability is not the same as access,” she stressed, noting that a woman could have contraceptives available at a health facility but still be unable to obtain them because of cost, distance, stigma, provider attitudes or lack of information.
She also cautioned healthcare providers against allowing personal beliefs or biases to interfere with professional responsibilities, particularly when dealing with young and unmarried women seeking contraception.
According to her, providers should inform and support clients rather than make reproductive decisions on their behalf.
Jagun further urged stakeholders to prioritise adolescents, rural women, women with disabilities and other underserved populations in the design and delivery of family planning services.
She said the success of family planning should not be measured only by the number of women accepting contraceptives, but also by whether clients were properly informed, offered options, made voluntary choices and retained the freedom to change or discontinue a method.
On the role of the media, she urged journalists to rely on accurate and evidence-based information and avoid sensational reporting.
She also advised the media to clearly distinguish family planning and contraception from abortion in their reporting to prevent misinformation and confusion.
Presenting on the theme “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention, Access,” Executive Director of Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), Mrs Alu Azege, said contraceptive access should be viewed beyond the mere availability of commodities.
Mrs Alu Azege
Azege, who is also Chair of the Media and Visibility Subcommittee of the 9th Nigerian Family Planning Conference, said genuine access required women to have information, options, privacy, affordability, respectful counselling and freedom from pressure or judgment.
She said the word “all” in the World Contraception Day theme was particularly significant, stressing that contraceptive access should include unmarried young women, adolescents, widows, market women, students and other groups that could face barriers to services.
Azege described the media as an important channel for reproductive health information, particularly as young people increasingly encounter contraceptive information through social media before meeting healthcare providers.
She said traditional media could complement social media by verifying information, debunking myths, amplifying questions from young people and holding authorities accountable for gaps in health service delivery.
She also highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence, saying AI could provide personalised, private and accessible reproductive health information, but warned that bias, misinformation and unequal access to technology could undermine its benefits.
In her welcome address, President of NRHJN, Mrs Oluyinka Shokunbi, said every Nigerian woman and girl should have access to safe contraception and the ability to decide if, when and how often to have children.
Mrs Oluyinka Shokunbi
Shokunbi said contraceptive access could help prevent unintended pregnancies, improve maternal and child health and advance women’s ability to pursue education, careers and participation in public life.
She said cultural, religious and information barriers continued to limit access to contraception, while young people were increasingly turning to social media and artificial intelligence for sexual health information.
She called for unhindered access to accurate information and contraceptive choices, particularly for women and girls who remain underserved by existing health systems.
KANO FOCUS reports that the engagement was held under the 2026 World Contraception Day theme,“No Barriers, Just Choices: Contraceptive Access Now!”
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