Local

By Murtala Sani

Beyond the eloquence and vibrancy that are attributed to the newly elected Deputy Governor of Kano State under the platform of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, there are other special qualities that earned him the title of a Comrade. His entire life, from teenage to date, is spent in the struggle for the betterment of the lives of the people.

Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo was born at Gwarzo Local Government, Kano State, on 6th November 1960. He was set for the quest for Islamic knowledge at Alkalawa Islamiyya and then transferred to Kofar Fada Islamiyya, all in Gwarzo town. He was later enrolled into Gwarzo Central Primary School from 1966 to 1972 and then proceeded to Kano Educational Development Centre (K.E.D.C) in 1973 for Secondary School Education.

Within one year, Aminu was transferred to Kano Teachers College (K.T.C) and graduated from the college in 1977. In the same year, he started teaching at Kara Primary School on 1st July 1977 for six months, when Kano and Jigawa States were in the folder old Kano State. The brilliant young Aminu was the youngest primary school Headmaster when he headed Salihawa Primary School in Gwarzo Local Government.

In his quest for more knowledge, Aminu got admission into the School of Management Studies, Kano State Polytechnic, in 1981, where he obtained a National Diploma in Banking and Finance, the qualification that propelled him to get a new job at the Kano State Board of Internal Revenue in 1986. In the same year, Aminu was re-admitted to the same School, School of Management Studies, Kano State Polytechnic, and bagged Higher National Diploma in the same course, Banking and Finance. In 1988, Aminu received his National Youth Service Certificate (NYSC) after serving as a corps member at Nigerian Mining Corporation, Jos, Plateau State.

As a youth, the comradeship of Comrade Aminu started manifesting glaringly when his activism beckoned him to join Gwarzo Youth Progressive (GYPA) in 1980. The Association was founded in 1979, but he became its first Chairman in 1981 due to his immense struggle to bring positive change within his society. The dominant role he played in stabilizing the then embattled Gwarzo Development Association (GDA), an association of Gwarzo elders, made the elders accommodate the useful Aminu into their association. They also considered his impact on the progress of GYPA, especially the way his wonderful leadership brought huge development within Gwarzo Local Government.

As a civil servant, his activism earned him the seat of Interim Secretary General of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) of the Gwarzo branch in 1981. Again, he became the Secretary-General and then Chairman of the National Civil Service Union (NCSC) board. Noticing his charisma while steering the leadership of the Union in the board, the then Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State, Comrade Baffa Gaya, suggested that talented people like comrade Aminu should not be limited to a low level. Therefore, Comrade Aminu was propelled to the position of Auditor General of the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU), Kano State branch, from 1987 to 1991.

After carving Jigawa State out of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam clinched the seat of Chairman National Civil Service Union, Kano State. As a politician, the Comrade was among the seven Local Government Chairmen that initiated the formation of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) in the whole Country. He was the pioneer Chairman of ALGON in Kano State. He was the pioneer National Co-ordinator of ALGON North-Western States comprising Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Jigawa, and lastly, the pioneer National Auditor of ALGON.

His passion for the struggle for the masses led him to support Mallam Aminu Kano’s Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). He was also an active member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the political party registered alongside Nigerian Republic Congress (NRC) by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. Comrade Aminu’s diving into mainstream politics was when he contested and got elected the Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government of Kano State in 1996 during the reign of General Sani Abacha’s military regime. After the formation of New Political parties by the same Government, Aminu vied for membership in the Federal House of Representatives to represent Gwarzo/Kabo Constituency under the umbrella of the Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN). The controversial election declared his opponent, Alhaji Aminu Sule Garo of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), the winner of the election. Therefore, Aminu Abdussalam challenged the victory in court.

On 5th December 1999, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam was elected as the Chairman of Gwarzo Local Government, Kano State, where he defeated Engineer Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo, who contested under the platform of All Peoples Party (APP). His pragmatism led him to develop Gwarzo through the execution of countless developmental projects, providing employment and other humanitarian activities. This moulded him to become a strong political clout in the stream of Gwarzo Politics. From 1999 to 2011, Comrade Aminu was the Director General of Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo’s Campaign Organization, the leadership that hugely contributed to the victory of the senator throughout his four Senatorial races. During the Presidency of late Alhaji Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua, the Comrade was appointed the Federal Commissioner of the National Assembly Commission.

When Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso was re-elected as the Governor of Kano State in 2011, he appointed Comrade Aminu Abdussalam as the Commissioner of Monitoring and Evaluation. Satisfied with his hardworking, honesty, trustworthiness and loyalty, Kwankwaso promoted him to the position of Commissioner of State Affairs, thus, occupying the office very close to the Governor. The duo decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supported Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to become the state’s governor. In President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure from 2015 to 2019, Comrade Aminu was appointed the Chairman Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Kwantagora.

After the eruption of a feud between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, Comrade joined his boss, Kwankwaso, by decamping back to PDP, where he and Abba Kabiru Yusuf contested for Deputy and Governorship seats, respectively, in 2019. Although they won against Ganduje with more than twenty thousand votes, the election was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) due to the controversy that trailed the election. Again, Comrade and Abba contested and won the election against Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Murtala Sule Garo under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) during the 2023 gubernatorial election.

One of the greatest challenges against Comrade Aminu was when he was contesting for Member at the Federal House of Representatives to represent Gwarzo and Kabo Constituency. At that moment, more than twenty of his prominent supporters were arrested by the forces challenging his candidature. This made others flee from Gwarzo to other hidden places within and outside Kano State, seeking refuge.

At the same time, Comrade’s house was invaded by political goons who attempted to break into his house and assassinate him. With the help of his die-hard supporter, a ladder was erected for him and his entire family and escaped to his neighbouring house. This forced him to run for political asylum in the Cameroon Republic, but on his way, he found refuge in Gombe State. Again, the Comrade escaped lynching by some political thugs in 2003 at the Madadi ward of Gwarzo Local Government when they set his official car ablaze.

Every discerning mind could detect Comrade Aminu’s erudition and intellectual analysis either on the podium of a political campaign or interview. He expresses himself with facts and figures while debating. He laces his speech with quotes from Qur’an or Hadith.

Comrade faces a lot of criticism, one of which is his austerity measures at home office or public. He doesn’t pamper his children to run a luxurious life. He doesn’t embezzle government funds or throw money at his followers. Furthermore, Comrade frowns at favouritism and nepotism. He only relies on creditability and merit. Moreover, he detests thuggery and bloodshed; he allows things to flow naturally. More so, the Comrade doesn’t hesitate to get his beautiful, educated and morally sound children married to commoners or children of commoners.

The Comrade has two wives with twenty-three children.

Murtala Sani, a lecturer at Kano State Polytechnic, writes from Kano.

By Aisar Fagge and Uzair Adam Imam

Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, a renowned Kano-based Islamic cleric, has challenged people to establish a dispute resolution committee as the “only solution” to the menace of phone robbery rocking our states.

The sheikh stated this in a symposium Saturday organized by The Muslim Forum of Nigeria in collaboration with Al-Istiqama University Sumaila, Kano and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Kano chapter to discuss the way forward to put to an end the menace of phone snatching in Kano state.

The Islamic cleric stated, “We must come together and analyze how and why these thugs are into this kind of business before we can address it. Any ward should establish a dispute resolution committee that would include parents, traditional leaders, Islamic clerics, teachers, security personnel, retired civil servants and lawyers to ensure discipline and exemplary character among the youth in the area.

“The committee will help provide jobs for the unemployed youth, enrol them into schools, empower orphans and widows, and form vigilante committees, among others.

“This committee will also assist the security personnel with an intelligent report on any unknown persons or suspicious act,” Daurawa stated.

The speaker reiterated his stance on parents who give birth to kids they cannot care for or moralize.

Daurawa said although Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged marriage and giving birth, he would never be proud of a useless crowd of spoiled kids and thugs.

He also called on the government’s intervention through empowerment and provision of skills acquisition centres for the youth.

In the symposium that hosted security personnel, traditional rulers, analysts, journalists, Islamic clerics and university dons, Daurawa empowered two phone snatchers with N100,000.

By Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has relieved chairmen, board members and chief executives of parastatals of their appointments with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Administration and Finance, office of the Secretary to the Government of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammad K. Dagaceri.

The statement said “His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi has approved the relieve of appointments of Managing Directors, General Managers, Executive Secretaries, Chairmen and Members of Board of Agencies/ Parastatals with exception of Commissions.

“The statement explained that Career Executive Secretaries, Managing Directors and General Managers were excluded.”Accordingly, this exclude career Managing Directors, General Managers and Executive Secretaries ” the statement said.

The statement directed all the affected officials to hand over Government properties in their possession to the most senior officer in their organization.

The statement further added that “His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi appreciates your contributions and wish you success in your future endeavours”.

By Aisar Fagge and Uzair Adam Imam

Nothing could have been more worrisome presently in Kano than the menace of phone snatching that has become rampant, leading some analysts to describe the development as a pandemic gradually ravaging the peace in the state.

It was on this light that the Muslim Forum of Nigeria in collaboration with Al-Istiqama University, Kano, and the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Kano State Chapter, converged for a meeting to discuss the way forward with a view to end the menace.

The symposium Saturday with the title “Curbing the Menace of Phone Snatching” has in attendance many people from all walks of the state, including security personnel, traditional rulers, analysts, journalists, Islamic clerics and university dons, to menton but a few.

Phone snatching has become a major security challenge in Kano state that continue to strike terror in the mind of the residents as thugs with deadly weapons spare no one during their ‘phone or life’ operation.

A shocking disclosure by the Kano State Police Command has indicated that from January to May over six hundred (600) phone snatchers have been arrested by security agents in Kano State.

Arrested culprits must be dealt with

The Secretary General of the Muslim Forum of Nigeria and the Vice Chancellor of the Al-Istiqama University, Kano, Professor Salisu Shehu, has called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the culprits arrested in the course of phone snatching be punished according to the provision of law.

He stated that, “There are two ways to address this menace: the problem can be tackled through government and our security personnel who will ensure the arrest and punishment of these armed thugs and; through this kind of symposium with the stakeholders to deliberate on the genesis and possible solutions of the syndrome.”

Professor Salisu added that for any nation or community to survive there must be people of knowledge who would think, study and analyse issues for the betterment of that society.

We must put hands together – traditional ruler

Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Ilyasu Mu`azu, the Ward Head of Sharada, said we should all put hands together before we could fight off phone snatching in Kano state.

“It is only through collective effort that we can address this problem,” he stated, adding that “traditional rulers should work hand in hand with security personnel through reporting happening and any suspicious act or individual involving in criminal activities in their area.”

The Kano State Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was represented by Dan Amar Kano, Alh. Aliyu Harazumi, has commended the organizers and also called on the district and ward heads to ensure working with the security personnel to help address the issue of phone snatching in the state.

However, the Public Relatios Kano Police Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiya, said all efforts by the police to address the issue are on top gear as their personnel were never reluctant.

By Muhamamad Suleiman Yobe

In her effort to protect lives and properties of its people,  Jigawa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Zinder State of Niger Republic on integrated and secure livestock and pastoralism in West Africa region.

Governor Umar Namadi, who signed the agreement while opening a three-day workshop on behalf of the jigawa state Government, said that the MOU will benefit the state and its people in curtailing criminal activities.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Engineer Aminu Usman Yusuf added that Nigeria has many challenges as cattle entered the country through illegal borders, by this development  there will be a control of farmers and Herders conflict.

In his remarks, the special guest and Governor of Zinder, Lawal Amadu  Madugu, thanked the Jigawa State Government for actualizing the existing cordial relation between the two state, and promised to work together to achieve the desired objectives.

Some of the boarder communities suggested the possible ways of overcoming the trans boarder problems with a view of finding of lasting solution to the menace.

Among the attendees include top Government officials and traditional rulers from both states and countries.

By Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy) 

Notwithstanding the appropriateness or otherwise of the recent and unprecedented wave of demolitions in Kano by the newly inaugurated governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, it may have triggered a vicious circle of the incumbent governors and their predecessors taking turns revoking, converting and reallocating public land and facilities in the state. 

Though purportedly guided by relevant legislation and overriding public interest, successive Kano state governors have been involved, to various extents, in controversial public land and facility-related scandals. However, the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, having literally overdone it, has been particularly notorious in this regard. 

Now with the recent demolitions, Governor Abba has proven that it’s indeed his turn. The way they were conducted, which made the operation look more like mob action, has been effectively set as a precedent for future similar operations in the state. 

So, unless this looming vicious circle is averted, Kano may, after every four or eight-year tenure, witness similar operations with persistently worsening intensity and impacts.   

Having monitored the situation from afar, thanks to the viral video clips on social media, I felt not only sad but extremely embarrassed watching helplessly how my city, a supposedly aspiring mega city, was being systematically bastardized.

I watched in shocked dismay how the lives of innocent traders, who simply happened to be tenets in the targeted buildings, were being turned to, perhaps, perpetual misery overnight by crowds of sadist creatures feigning being human looting their (traders) merchandise. Some buildings had already been looted even before the demolition team got there. There are verified heartbreaking stories about the plights of many victims. In a particular instance, one was reliably reported to have gone mad out of frustration. 

The sheer ferocity with which the mob plundered traders’ goods suggests deep-seated populist sadism and sheer envy in a society where tacit gloating over the misfortune of any real or perceived wealthy person has become normal. I have also observed tacit attempts on social media by many otherwise reasonable people to underestimate the plights of the victims and even put the blame on them for their ‘failure’ to evacuate their goods in time. 

Meanwhile, the cumulative impacts of this vicious circle on the state’s economy and other strategic interests cannot be overestimated. It’s already seriously affecting local investor confidence, for no one will consider the viability of any significant investment, especially in, say, real estate development and other related sectors, knowing that the land allocation is prone to arbitrary revocation and the structures are subject to impulsive demolition at any time. 

Equally, banks and other financial institutions will have to discontinue recognizing Kano government-issued certificates of property ownership as collateral, knowing that they may at any time be rendered as worthless as takardar tsire. 

Likewise, the state’s attractiveness to direct foreign investment (if there is currently any) will be hit even harder, for no prospective foreign investor, being typically particularly sensitive to any red flag suggesting policy inconsistency, will consider investing in Kano knowing that whatever policy or incentive attracted him can be impulsively terminated at any time. 

Now, obviously, Governor Abba is aware deep down that that wasn’t how he was supposed to handle the situation in the first place. His approach is enough to vindicate those who insist that he is simply on a vengeance mission with a premeditated resolve to settle scores with political opponents and their associates on behalf of his political godfather, Rabi’u Kwankwaso. 

He can address whatever land use abuses his predecessor committed, which are so many, by the way, but he should do it in a civilized way through due process leading to the demolishing of what indeed deserves to be demolished and sparing what deserves to be spared for the purpose of reclaiming and converting it into a public facility. 

Mohammad Qaddam Sidq Isa (Daddy) wrote from Dubai, UAE, and can be contacted via mohammadsidq@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe

Heavy rainfall and strong winds destroyed more than 20 houses, killing two people and injuring many others on Tuesday in Araba and Hambarawa towns in Ringim local government area.

The chairman of Ringim local government, Alhaji Shehu Sule Udi, confirmed the incident today while answering questions from our correspondent.

He said the incident started around 1 o’clock on Monday while experiencing the first heavy rainfall of the year.

He said that the incident affected the Araba and Hambarawa community, where information confirmed that there was two loss of life, severe injuries and the destruction of houses.

Alhaji Shehu Sule Udi assured their readiness to support the affected community to ease their suffering from the windstorms.

For their part, the people affected by the disaster have asked the government to provide immediate assistance.

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

Lamash Properties Limited demands N10 billion in compensation from the Kano state government for demolishing its property.

The firm said it entered into a public-private partnership (PPP) with the government of Kano to redevelop the Daula Hotel.

On assuming office, Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, ordered the demolition of “illegal property” built by the former administration of Abdullahi Ganduje.

In a statement on Sunday, Hassan Yusuf Baba, the firm’s executive director, said it was a “gross injustice” because they were not notified of the demolition exercise.

“Our bid, like every other bid submitted, went through all the processes including going before the state executive council after which we won the bid,” Baba said.

“We were issued the letter of award and we signed a PPP contract agreement with the Kano state government after which we began work on the project.

“The value of the land being the equity contribution of the Kano state government into the project plus the agreed profit share of the state government all in the sum N2,297,016,622.89 only was converted into the hotel and its ownership was given to the Kano state government as its share into the project under the PPP arrangement.

“On May 27, 2023, the immediate past governor of the state, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, performed the commissioning ceremony of the hotel and it was handed over to the state government as its share in the project.

“To our utmost surprise, we received a call around 2am on Sunday June 4, 2023, that officials of the state government led by the new governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, have mobilized to the site of the project with bulldozers and were tearing down all the buildings on the land including the already completed 90-room 5-star Daula Boutique Hotel, the 90 percent completed commercial area (malls) as well as the ongoing residential apartments.

“We have instructed our legal team to institute legal actions against the state government to claim compensation to the tune of N10 billion already invested in the project and to stop the state government from further taking actions that will negatively affect us based on the PPP contract agreement we signed with it.”

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

The new administration in Kano has embarked on a commendable mission to reclaim the lands around schools that were allegedly wrongly sold out by the past government. Such action is important for the protection of public resources and the promotion of quality education. However, demolishing the shops built around the schools may not be the best approach to solving the environmental crisis created by the encroachment.

While it is understandable that the new government wants to send a strong message to potential land grabbers and illegal developers, demolishing the shops may cause unintended consequences that could hurt both the affected traders and the government. For example, many shops were legally acquired by small business owners who may have invested their life savings and borrowed money from banks to establish their businesses. Destroying their livelihoods without proper compensation or alternatives could lead to social and economic unrest.

Furthermore, destroying the shops may not solve the problem of encroachment. Once the shops are gone, the empty spaces may attract new forms of illegal settlements or waste dumping, further depleting the environment and posing health hazards to students and residents. Therefore, a more strategic and holistic approach to Kano’s environmental and economic challenges is needed.

One possible solution is to engage architectural and environmental experts to design sustainable solutions that could improve the safety, aesthetics, and functionality of the schools and the commercial spaces around them. For example, the shops could be redesigned to allow more natural ventilation, lighting, and greenery, enhancing the microclimate and reducing the need for air conditioning and artificial lighting. The shops could also be integrated with the schools’ curricula and activities to promote entrepreneurship and civic engagement among students and teachers.

Another solution is for the government to acquire the shops and lease them out to qualified and responsible entrepreneurs who could operate them under certain conditions, such as payment of rent, taxes, and adherence to environmental and safety standards. Such an approach could generate revenue for the government, support small businesses, and foster a culture of responsible commercial activity in Kano.

Preserving our schools and small businesses requires a collaborative and creative effort from all stakeholders, including government officials, planners, architects, investors, traders, and residents. We must resist the temptation to resort to destructive means of solving complex problems and instead seek sustainable and inclusive solutions that benefit our communities and environment.

The demolition of shops around schools in Kano may seem like a quick fix to the encroachment problem, but it is not a wise or ethical solution. Instead, we should explore innovative and sustainable ways to protect our public resources, promote quality education, and support responsible entrepreneurship. Let us preserve our schools, our small businesses, and our dignity.

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse, Zone 2, Abuja. 

By Uzair Adam Imam

A young electrician identified as Alhaji died while repairing faulty cables on electric poles in Niger.

The incident happened on Thursday in Soje B. Area of Minna, Niger State, at around 3pm.

The man was said to have been specialised in preparing home electrical appliances and had died on the spot after being electrocuted.

The residents who spoke to the journalists in the state said that the efforts to save his life were not successful.

However, one of the witnesses, Aliyu Jibrin, stated that “No one knew he was electrocuted on the pole until his lifeless body fell from the top of the pole.”