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Buhari, Ganduje mourn Dr Ibrahim Datti Ahmad
Nasiru Yusuf
President Muhammadu Buhari mourns renowned urologist and a doyen of private medical healthcare in Kano, Ibrahim Datti Ahmed. He was a friend to the late Head of State General Murtala Mohammed.
KANO FOCUS reports that late Ahmad was the founder of Asmau Memorial Hospital, now renamed Abubakar Imam Urology Centre in Kano and served as the Chairman of the Shari’a Council of Nigeria.
In a tribute to the late Doctor and politician who once ran as a Presidential Candidate, the President described him as a man blessed with immense wisdom.
“Dr. Datti was at the forefront in providing healthcare to the poor and the needy. His divine teachings and selfless contribution towards the welfare of society will not be forgotten. He will be remembered for his noble service to society,” said President Buhari.
The President said the nation is with the family of the deceased, the Kano Emirate Council as well as the government and people of Kano State as they mourn the doctor, politician and religious leader.
We lost a truly great Nigerian – Ganduje
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has described the death of Ibrahim Datti Ahmad as a great loss for not only Kano or Nigeria, but to black race across the globe.
A former President of Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria and a Presidential Aspirant of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ahmad, according to the governor “Was an embodiment of righteousness, discipline, hard work, commitment and patriotism.”
“The death is for the entire black race across the globe. Here was a man who stood firmly for the education of our people, who travelled far and wide in search of education and helped shape our education system.
“His political participation brought about decorum in our political landscape.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kano state, I am sending our condolences to the immediate families of this rare gem, whose upbringing was reflected in his own family. He raised very decent, committed and God-fearing family.”
He prayed that, “May Almighty Allah save his face from hellfire. May Allah Forgive all his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Jannatul Fiddaus, ameen.”
The governor urged all his family members to strive hard and follow his footsteps.
Late Ibrahim Datti Ahmad
Born in 1936 in Kano, late Ahmad died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 83 after a protracted illness
He attended Barewa College, Zaria, before he obtained a degree in medicine at the University of Ibadan.
He was the second person to become a medical doctor from old Kano state. His hospital Asma’u memorial is the first private hospital in Kano state.
He was the pro chancellor and chairman of the governing council of the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife).
He was the President-General of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria (SCSN), a focal Islamic religious institution that deals with Sharia in Nigeria.
Former president Goodluck Jonathan had once appointed him to intermediate with Boko Haram on behalf of the federal government before he opted out due to alleged government insincerity.
A renowned medical doctor, politician and Islamic cleric, late Ahmad is survived by a wife and 10 children.
His funeral prayer was conducted at the Alfurqan Mosque in Kano before he was buried at Farm Centre graveyard in the Kano metropolis.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has appointed its Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, as the new President of the Council following the death of its former leader, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made in a statement released by the Council’s Secretary General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, who described Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing on Monday as a profound loss to the Council and the broader Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
Offering prayers for the late cleric, the Council noted that Dr Bashir’s appointment was made in line with the organisation’s constitution and established procedures.
“The Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON, has been unanimously confirmed as the new President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We express our full confidence in Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Shari’ah and justice.”
The Council added that a new Vice President will be announced in due course and called for continued prayers and support from the Muslim community as it pursues its mission to uphold Islamic principles across the country.
Dr Bashir is widely respected in the fields of Islamic studies and Islamic finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Hadith and Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Madinah and has served on several key national and international Shari’ah and Islamic banking committees, including the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and the Council of Experts on Islamic Banking under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Headlines
Emir Sanusi Calls for Reinstatement of National Amirul Hajj to Strengthen Pilgrimage Leadership
The Emir of Kano, His Highness Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Government to reinstate the position of a National Amirul Hajj, a revered tradition that once provided strong leadership and coordination for Nigerian pilgrims during the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement signed by the Kano Pligrims spokesperson Sulaiman Dederi the Emir made the appeal Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board at his palace.
He emphasized the historic and spiritual importance of appointing a National Amirul Hajj, describing the role as deeply rooted in Islamic tradition and dating back to the era of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who advocated for the appointment of leaders to guide pilgrims on their sacred journey.
“This is a time-honored Islamic practice that ensures order, discipline, and effective representation of our nation during the Hajj exercise,” the Emir stated. “Reviving this position is not just symbolic—it is necessary for the spiritual, administrative, and diplomatic success of our pilgrimage missions.”
The Emir further stressed that the consistent appointment of a National Amirul Hajj would enhance Nigeria’s coordination during Hajj operations and ensure the welfare of pilgrims across all states.
Earlier, the Director General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, informed the Emir that the Board was at the palace to formally invite him to attend the final Hajj demonstration scheduled at the Hajj Camp in Kano.
He disclosed that all preparations had been finalized for the airlift of pilgrims from the state, which is set to begin on May 13, 2025.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alhaji Yusif Lawan, commended the Emir for his consistent support and advocacy for the welfare of pilgrims.
He joined the call for the Federal Government to prioritize the reappointment of a National Amirul Hajj, saying it would further solidify Nigeria’s image and leadership among the global Muslim community.
The visit reflects a growing call among Hajj stakeholders for stronger central coordination of the pilgrimage, especially as thousands of Nigerian Muslims prepare for this year’s journey to the Holy Land.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has heartily congratulated Abubakar Abdulkadir Dangambo on his emergence as the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Online Media Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council.
This was contained in a statement issued by governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
Governor Yusuf described Dangambo’s election as a significant step towards strengthening professionalism and ethical journalism in the digital media space.
He commended the leadership of the NUJ Kano Council under the able leadership of Comrade Sulieman Dederi for the successful establishment of the Online Media Chapel, which he said will complement the efforts of traditional media in promoting truth, fairness, and integrity.
The Governor expressed confidence that under Dangambo’s leadership, the Online Media Chapel would set a new standard for responsible and development-driven journalism in Kano State and beyond.
He assured of his administration’s continued support for initiatives that promote credible information dissemination, media development, and the unity of practitioners.
Governor Yusuf wished Comrade Dangambo and the entire executive council a successful and impactful tenure, urging them to work diligently in fostering professionalism, building capacity, and enhancing the role of online journalism in the state’s growth and progress.
Supreme Council for Shari’ah appoints Bashir Aliyu Umar as new president
Emir Sanusi Calls for Reinstatement of National Amirul Hajj to Strengthen Pilgrimage Leadership
Gov. Yusuf Praises NUJ’s New Digital Frontier, Celebrates Dangambo’s Innaguration
Kano judicial commission suspends 2 court registrars, warns 2 judges
