Admin

By Muhammad Sabiu

By Muhsin Ibrahim

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano has called for the establishment of small, medium and large scale processing plants in order to boost the production of the vegetable crop in the state.

Ganduje made the call on Wednesday,  3rd November, 2021 while addressing participants of the 4th regional onion conference at Kano Government House.

The Governor represented by his Deputy Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna stated that Kano being the 3rd largest onion producing state in the country and having one of its biggest market in the continent, his administration is working alongside the farmers in the state towards enhancing their production due to the importance of onion as a vegetable crop whose distinctive flavour and health benefits is appreciated by people around the globe.

“Because of our commitment towards promoting the value chain of onion, we are facilitating ways for the farmers to source for funds that will launch them into big processors and exporters,” he said.

Ganduje went on to describe the event as milestone and expressed appreciation to the organisers for the honour done to Kano to host the conference.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Mahmood Abubakar represented by Alh. Abba Gana Yamani said the importance onions in the Nigerian diet can never be under estimated, adding that the ease of cultivating the crop makes it a lucrative venture for farmers.

“Nigeria is among the largest producers of onions in the world, in 2012 alone, an estimated 240,000 tonnes of green onions and 1,350,000 tonnes of dry onions were produced in Nigeria the Minister revealed”.

Speaking earlier, the President Of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association Of Nigeria, Aliyu Maitasamu Isa explained only 1,400,000 million tonnes of onions instead 2,500,000 million tonnes therefore calls for increase in the production of the vegetable crop.

He said the conference with the theme: “The Onion sector in the era of the African continental free trade area and the COVID-19 pandemic” is aimed at developing a business plan for onion trade within the West and Central African Economic Community and also to harmonize and fashion ways of continued business despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event was attended by onion producers, processors and other stakeholders across the African region.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has explained the reasons behind the removal of his Chief of Staff, Muhammed Sani Abdullahi, and also denied Sunusi Lamido Sunusi’s involvement in his administration.

Recalled that the Kaduna State Chief of Staff had been removed from his position month ago and transferred to the Ministry of Budget and Planning Commission as a commissioner.

El-Rufa’i said that the ministry had been having challenges in preparing budgets two years since Abdullahi left the ministry.

He made the disclosure in a radio program in the state where he was quoted saying: “The removal of the chief of staff had nothing to do with addressing Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi (II) as former Emir of Kano at an event in the state, recently.

“The transpired between the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Sanusi) and Abdullahi is a historical joke between Zaria and Kano people in which Zaria considered Kano people as their slaves,” he said

The governor further stated that the he mainly received advice from Sanusi, bu he has nothing to do with how he runs his government.

“He is the vice-chancellor of our state university because he is a professional in that aspect. Secondly, he is the deputy chairman of KADIPA.

“These are the two areas he is assisting us with advice and again everybody knows Muhammadu Sanusi is a qualified economist and so I only seek his advice on this aspect.

“But not on how I run my government or who will work with me. I don’t seek advice from anybody outside my colleagues in the government and we usually sit together to discuss,” El-Rufa’i concluded.

By Abdulrazak Iliyasu Sansani

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates the leader of Nigerian Muslim Ummah and chairman of Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar (III), as he marks 15 years on the throne.

The statement signed Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Malam Garba Shehu, disclosed this, describing the Sultan as a “peacebuilder and a true embodiment of commitment to service”.

The statement also added, “Sultan Sa’ad has remained a leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people.”

“Greetings to His Eminence, the Sultan on his 15th year on the throne of his fathers. On behalf of my family and I, the government and the people of Nigeria, I wish you many more years in the position and working tirelessly to promote inter-religious and inter-communal harmony throughout the federation.

“It is very reassuring to have such leadership at these challenging times. My prayers are for your long and healthy life,” said the president.

In recent months, no romantic Hausa song has captured the public attention as FANAN. However, the song’s movie was premiered on Friday, October 29, 2021, in Platinum Cinema (a newly inaugurated multiplex cinema in Kano).

The film opened to full halls across the new cinema and grossed approximately ₦1.25 million on its opening day, setting the record of being the first Hausa film to get this in one cinema. This remarkable success can undoubtedly be attributed to the popularity of the Fanan song and the distinctive marketing strategy adopted by its executive producer, Mansurah Isah, in promoting the film. But does it, on itself, merit this immense success? I watched it on Sunday, and here is my review.

Plot:

Fanan is a family drama that tells the story of an obedient wife, Fanan (Sabeera), and her husband, Kamilu (Yakubu Muhammad), a private company employee. The couple lives peacefully together with their only daughter Amira (Iman Sani Danja).

Later, their life is disrupted when Kamilu begins to maltreat Fanan and eventually divorces her after starting an affair with a wealthy woman, Madam Jessica (Rahama M.K). Jessica promises to marry him and facilitate his promotion to the rank of manager in another big company. However, she ditches him afterwards without fulfilling any of her promises.

Kamilu then tries to restore his marriage with Fanan, but his attempt proves in vain. Fanan is beyond his reach as she is now married to a business mogul, Alhaji Sammani (Sani Danja), whom she meets through his son, Fahad (Khalifa Sani Danja), a schoolmate of her daughter. Therefore, the jealous Kamilu filed a lawsuit against Fanan, seeking the return of his daughter (Amira) to him. However, he eventually drops the case after the girl narrates the insult he inflicted upon her and her mother while they were together during the court hearing.

Critique:

The film doesn’t entirely disappoint, but it’s not unique in any way. Both its artistic and technical aspects are only average. The story is predictable, and there are many gaps in the screenplay. For example, when Kamilu leaves his job, Madam Jessica doesn’t facilitate his new job application. Yet, he’s shown to have a connection with the company where she works. Again, Alhaji Sammani’s family background and how he ends up being single remains a mystery.

The interspersing of the title song also throws a spanner in the film. Fanan and Alhaji Sammani performed it before their marriage. Considering its lyrics, however, it would’ve had a better impact if performed after the wedding.

Regarding the cast, Yakubu Muhammad is the life of the movie because his performance stands out. Next to him are Rahama Mk and Sabeera. The latter is, particularly, for her good look. But while Sani Danja’s role deserves notice, his children, Iman and Khalifa, need to hone their skills as actors.

Finally, the fact that Fanan is a huge success doesn’t mean it succeeded on its own merits. It rides only on the popularity of its song and the hype around it. I rate it 2/5.

Habibu Maaruf Abdu wrote from Kano, Nigeria. He can be contacted via habibumaaruf11@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian Hunters Council (NHC), under the leadership of its Commander-General, Joshua Osatimehin, has sought government’s recognition as official security agency to enable them fighting bandits and banditry in the country.

Osatimehin disclosed this yesterday, Monday, at Abuja, at the end of a five-day capacity training for over 7000 personnel of the NHC on corporate safety and conservation.

He also added that they their personnel are now very committed towards fighting bandits, kidnappers and other forms of criminality in the society.

Meanwhile, Osatimehin also appealed to the National Assembly to ensure that the Nigerian Hunters Council bill 2020 becomes a law with immediately.

“We have our headquarters and offices in the 36 states of the federation. What we want the government to do is to recognise hunters as a security agency in Nigeria. If this can be recognised by an enabling law, crimes and criminality will be drastically reduced in Nigeria.”

“The bill has passed first and second reading and the public hearing at the senate, any moment from now we expect it to be passed into law and we will not relax until government gives us the enabling law.

“When you aspire to acquire what you desire you don’t need to retire but you `refire’,’’ he added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that 1.5 trillion dollars is the cumulative estimated amount needed by the country over a ten-year period, to achieve an appreciable level of the National Infrastructure Stock.

President Buhari gave the figure on Tuesday, 2nd November 2021, in Glasgow at a COP 26 high-level side event on improving global infrastructure hosted by President Joe Biden of the United States, EU Commission President, Von Der Leyen and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

The statement signed Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, malam Garba Shehu disclosed this, adding that: ‘‘Nigeria is ready for your investments in infrastructural development in the country.

‘‘My administration has established a clear legal and regulatory framework for private financing of infrastructure to establish a standard process, especially on the monitoring and evaluation process. We look forward to working with you in this regard.”

President Buhari also declared that his administration had taken infrastructure expansion in Nigeria seriously, conscious of the fact that new investments in critical sectors of the economy would aid lifting 100 million Nigerians from poverty by 2030.

‘‘There is a nexus between infrastructural development and the overall economic development of a nation.

‘‘On my assumption of office in 2015, Nigeria faced a huge infrastructure deficit and the total National Infrastructure Stock was estimated at 35% of our Gross Domestic Product.

‘‘In solving these problems, we embarked on a massive infrastructure expansion programme in the areas of Health care, Education, Transportation, Manufacturing, Energy, Housing, Agriculture, and Water Resources.

The President welcomed the G7 countries for its ground-breaking plan to mobilize hundreds of billions of dollars of infrastructure investment for low – and middle-income countries.

He noted that the: “Build Back Better World” plan, an initiative of the G7 countries, is expected to be a values-driven, high-standard, and transparent infrastructure partnership.

‘‘It is our fervent hope and expectations that this plan will be pursued to its logical conclusion in order to bridge the infrastructural gap between the North and South,’’ he said.

The President also used the occasion to outline the principles, values and standards Nigeria would like to see from infrastructure initiatives and the challenges the country has faced in partnering with donors on infrastructure development.

By Muhammad Sabiu