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Domestic violence: Kano community prescribes psychiatric test for couples before marriage
Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
Dan Bare community, a suburb of in Kumbotso local government area of Kano state has introduced a mandatory requirement for prospective couples to conduct psychiatric tests before they are allowed to marry.
In an exclusive interview with KANO FOCUS, Ward Head of Dan Bare (D), Saifullahi Abba Labaran said the rule became necessary in order to curb rampant cases of domestic violence that sometimes claim lives among spouses.
Mr Labaran explained that elders in the community had held extensive deliberations before finally agreeing to adopt the mental health test rule, adding that it will bring stability in the society.
Where to conduct the test
The ward head said the elders agreed that any prospective couple that intends to get married in the community would be required to undergo brain tests and other related procedures at Psychiatric Hospital Dawanau–the main mental health facility in Kano state.
‘‘We discussed the matter with the village head and other elders in the area and gave their pull support to impose it and even the village head promised to engage other ward heads,” he said.
Mr Labaran added that once couples are ready for the test, a representative from the office of the ward head would then be asked to accompany them to the hospital to ensure that the test results are genuine.
‘‘After the tests have been carried out, we will ask for three copies of each result. The first is for the groom’s family, the second is for the bride’s family and the third is for the ward head.
‘‘We choose this way because most of the time, you discover that perpetrators of domestic violence that involves killing usually test positive for mental illness. This is why it is necessary to conduct this type of test before marriage,”he said.
Price for disobedience
Asked about the penalties prescribed for those who refuse to abide by the rule, Mr Labaran warned that errant couples would be dealt with by community elders.
‘‘If someone disobeys us we will send him to our elders to deal with him as I’m not only the one who agreed to it but all elders in the community,’’ he said.
He added that Dan Bare community also resolves that suitors from outside the community must also subject themselves to the mental health tests before they can marry a woman in the area.
‘‘If an outsider comes to seek the hands of our daughters in marriage, we will force him to do the test otherwise, the marriage will not happen.
‘‘But if our community members decide to marry elsewhere, then we will not be responsible for whatever happens since it is not within our jurisdiction,” Mr Labaran explained.
Residents react
But residents of Dan Bare have expressed mixed reactions to the development.
Nura Ibrahim Shu’aib, believes that despite being a good initiative, the mental health test rule requires adequate time and awareness before it could succeed.
However, another resident Abdulbasid Tijjani said he found the development unfamiliar, adding that he was unsure if he could agree to conduct a mental health assessment before marriage.
‘‘It’s really something new to us, but after the ward head explained it in detailed to us, then I found it very interesting,” he said.
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.
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.
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