Headlines
Kano elites betrayed my husband – Maryam Abacha
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
Kano elites have betrayed late Nigerian military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, according to his widow Mrs Maryam Abacha.
She disclosed this in an exclusive interview with Kano Focus marking the 22nd memorial of late Abacha’s death.
Mrs Abacha said even though majority of Kano people still love the late Head of State, Kano elites have abandoned his family after his death on June 08, 1998.
“I hope Kano people will realize that Sani was their son.
“And this man was born in Kano in Sabon Gari and later he came to Fagge and grew up but his name is Abacha – a Kanuri name from Borno.
“He has marks, Kanuri marks on his face but he chose to be a Kano man.
“And he worked for Kano and he planted Kano people but there are people that he helped a lot but they are not even greeting me now for no reason.
“They just hate us! But why? This is a very bad attitude.
“It is Haram and Allah is watching us.” She said.
On “Abacha loot”
Mrs Abacha also defended her late husband against continuing allegations of looting Nigeria’s treasury.
“So how come this man was not a thief until he died?”
“What is this amount of money after 22 years you say oh we have found this amount of money and we’re bringing it back?”
“It’s a shame! It’s a shame to tell lies on a dead man! It’s a shame to tell lies on your leader!” she lamented.
The former first lady said General Abacha was a four-star General who had reached the pinnacle of his military career before becoming Head of state.
She said the five years Abacha spent ruling Nigeria shouldn’t overshadow all the contributions he gave right from the Civil War up to his stint as Minister of Defence.
Mrs Abacha added that the truth will eventually triumph regarding her husband’s true legacy.
“If he has done wrong God knows, if other people are putting the wrong on him it’s a matter of time.
“They will kneel down like America is kneeling down now. And everybody – a liar or a bastard – anybody that is evil will kneel down just like this Corona has come to shut this world.” She said.
Advice to Nigerians
Mrs Abacha advised Nigerians to value, respect, and love their leaders like other countries do.
Going down memory lane, Mrs Abacha said when her husband died some countries offered to erect his statues in Kano and the FCT but she rejected the offer on religious grounds.
“But unfortunately in our country no matter how hard you work and no matter how well you take care of people, it’s just a matter of ‘you are not a good person’.
“I want the youth not to only know who Abacha was or Maryam is, but I want them to know whoever it is God has risen to the pinnacle of the nation must have something good, must be hardworking, there must be something that is of value about that person whoever he is.” Mrs Abacha said.
She therefore called on Nigerians to learn to love, respect, tolerate, and value each other.
She explained that Nigerians should teach their children to accept and understand the different cultures and religions of the country.
“But the way we live in Nigeria, is what is causing all our problems – Oh you are a Fulani, this is Igbo, this is Yoruba – This will not take us anywhere.
“We should all come together as human beings not as Fulani or Hausa, or Igbo or Yoruba or Arab.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
Kano business community thanks FG for N5bn Singer market relief
Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
Kano Govt announces March 1 for schools’ Ramadan break
NCC board chair hosts licensed telecoms operators in Lagos
Stakeholders seek stronger nutrition financing at local government level
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
Governor Yusuf Appoints Acting DG for Pilgrims Board, Names Provost for Anti-Corruption Institute
Kano govt investigates reported disease outbreak in Garko community
K-SAFE appeals to Kano Executive Council to pass revised education bill
