Headlines
COVID-19 pandemic: A monumental disaster unfolding in Kano
By Usman Yusuf
1. There is a disaster currently unfolding in Kano with rising death rates particularly among the elderly that is not getting the National attention it deserves.
2. While some may explain this increasing death rates to the lack of medical care for the chronically ill due to the lockdown (which in any case is poorly observed and enforced in Kano), we should not forget that these same preexisting medical conditions make the elderly more vulnerable to infection and death by Covid-19
3. Kano, the most populous city in Nigeria will if urgent measures are not taken now, become the epicenter of Covid-19 pandemic in the African continent.
4. I have always believed that based on the epidemiology of the virus, the population dynamics, negative socioeconomic factors, the state of healthcare and infrastructure in the city, Kano alone will have more positive cases than the whole country put together. But, because we were not testing, we did not find. We are now seeing more cases because the test center in Kano started working just two weeks ago.
5. On Monday April 20th, 2020, there was a news scroll on National Television Authority (NTA) captioned “100 people died in Kano from a strange illness”. Really?, what illness can be stranger than Covid-19 at this moment in our history, I asked?
6. Print and social media are also replete with hysterical headlines about the rising fatalities in the city.
7. There are first hand reports from many cemeteries in the city of steadily increasing burials which the state government initially denied but later said it would investigate.
8. Doctors in the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of the major teaching hospital in the city report that recently, almost 60% of all A&E visits are among adults with symptomatic respiratory infections with increasing fatality in those above 50 years of age.
9. To worsen things, most of the hospitals in the state are currently only partially functioning due to fear and uncertainty among healthcare workers who know very well that the hospitals can not cope with sick Covid-19 patients that will soon be coming.
10. The tragedy is that healthcare workers who are in the frontline and exposed daily to the mortal danger of this virus are not provided with any form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
11. About two months ago, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) lost two brilliant Doctors in the prime of their lives and careers to Lassa Fever after operating on an infected pregnant patient.
12. This is the reason that the AKTH Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors issued a statement on 20th April 2020 putting the hospital authorities on notice that they will stop seeing patients if they are not provided with adequate PPEs.
13. These Doctors are right in their demands which are enshrined and protected by the WHO rights of healthcare workers taking care of patients in any pandemic.
14. Doctors took an oath to protect and preserve lives not to commit suicide which is what knowingly seeing a Covid-19 patient without PPE will be.
15. Nigerians as a people should salute, speak up for, and protect our healthcare workers. These selfless men and women, some of the best among us are in the frontline all across the nation putting their lives on the line for us in this existential battle against this unseen enemy .
16. Sadly, the Kano State’s Task Force on Covid-19 is in disarray since several of its key members went into quarantine after testing positive for the virus, this vacuum in leadership has resulted in the very slow response and testing by the State’s Rapid Response team resulting in increasing fatality particularly among the elderly.
17. It is the socioeconomic consequences of this pandemic that scares me more than the virus itself. How well it is handled now will determine this outcome. Clearly, Kano city is in serious trouble and the political leadership is in dire need of help from the Federal government, it’s citizens and the whole nation.
18. A wise man once said “When disaster strikes, it tears the curtain away from the festering problems that we have beneath them,”
19. I call on the Federal government to act now with all sense of urgency by mobilizing resources to Kano to achieve the following remedies before it is too late.
(a). Humane but strict enforcement of Social Distancing measures
(b). Provision of foodstuffs and palliatives to enable people to stay at home
(c). Aggressive case finding by increasing testing and isolating those found positive
(d). Provision of adequate PPEs to healthcare workers
(e). Provision of adequate Drugs & Consumables to hospitals
(f). Provision of more hospital & ICU bed spaces
(g). Provision of Ventilators to hospitals
(h). Employment of more healthcare workers like Nurses and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWS) to assist in contact tracing
(I). Aggressive public education
(j). All deaths should be reported and swabs taken for Covid-19 before burials
(k). Active engagement of Traditional, Religious and community leaders
20. WE ALL HAVE A DUTY TO PULL TOGETHER AND LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER AT THIS TRYING TIME
Yusuf is a Professor of Haematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has called on residents to give maximum support and cooperation to the newly established Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the union also commended the Kano State Government for establishing the task force and appointing Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado as its chairman.
The NUJ made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress meeting held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at the Press Centre Conference Hall in Kano.
The congress described the establishment of the task force as an important step towards addressing drug abuse and urged residents to cooperate with it to enable it discharge its responsibilities effectively.
The union’s position comes amid growing concerns over drug abuse and its associated social challenges, particularly among young people.
The congress also urged politicians and other political stakeholders to conduct their electioneering activities ahead of the 2027 general elections in accordance with established rules and regulations.
It called on political actors to shun thuggery, hate speech and defamatory statements capable of undermining peace and unity in the state.
On security and community relations, the NUJ urged the state government to urgently address recurring farmers-herders conflicts to prevent further loss of lives and destruction of property.
It stressed the need for proactive measures to promote peaceful coexistence between farming and herding communities.
The congress further called on the government and relevant agencies to intensify public awareness campaigns on fire prevention and safety, particularly as the harmattan season approaches.
While commending the government’s efforts to revitalise water supply and improve access to potable water in Kano metropolis, the union urged it to extend similar interventions to rural communities.
The NUJ also welcomed the recent cabinet reshuffle by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, describing it as a step towards strengthening governance and service delivery.
However, it appealed to the governor to consider appointing a professional from the media industry as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, citing the strategic importance of the ministry.
On road safety, the congress called on traffic regulatory agencies to intensify public enlightenment and road-user education to reduce accidents amid ongoing infrastructure development and increasing traffic activities across the metropolis.
The union also congratulated the NUJ Kano State Council on securing the hosting rights for the forthcoming Media Security Summit, describing the development as a significant achievement for the council and the media industry.
At the meeting, the congress also filled the vacant position of Assistant Secretary with Comrade Mubarak Ismaila Madungurum, a journalist with Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Kano.
The congress concluded with special prayers for departed colleagues and relatives, including Ismaila Garba Gwammja, the mother of the council’s Vice Chairman, Comrade Mustapha Gambo, and the wife of Comrade Dahiru Ibrahim Biso.
It prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls and for Allah to grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
The communiqué was signed by the NUJ Kano State Council Chairman, Comrade Sulaiman Dederi, and Secretary, Comrade Hauwa Zaharadeen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
NUJ urges Kano residents to support task force on drug abuse
Kano Environment Ministry: The Reforms We Began and the Legacy We Leave
Kano Sports Commission congratulates Waiya on appointment as youth, sports commissioner
Governor Yusuf swears in six commissioners, three advisers, 19 permanent secretaries
Kano Cabinet Reshuffle: Waiya Moves from Information to Youths and Sports Ministry
Kano must make government procurement work for made-in-Kano
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Data Demand Surges 47% as Stakeholders Seek Fresh Investment in Digital Infrastructure
Veteran NTA manager Dahiru Biso loses wife at 58
