Local

By Muhammad Aminu

No fewer than three (3) persons had been killed, and 2,250 residences were destroyed by flooding and windstorm in Kano in June.

The Executive Secretary, Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Saleh Jili, told journalists in Kano as his agency is poised to face the challenge during the rainy season.

Dr Jiji also confirmed that five LGAs in the state were affected.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted that there would be flooding in 32 States of the federation this rainy season. According to the Secretary who attributed the calamity to the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways and drains, said the affected Local Government Areas are Rano, Kibiya, Doguwa, Dambatta and Kiru.

He, therefore, urged residents to desist from such bad practices to avert a recurrence of such disasters, just as he pledged his Agency’s preparedness to respond to emergency situations, carrying the people along in the process.

“On June 9, the Agency organised a stakeholders conference to brainstorm on disaster risk reduction and disaster management.

“We sensitised religious leaders and heads of communities in the five emirates on how to manage heavy rainfall that was predicted by NiMet. We also used the media, markets and other gatherings to sensitise the residents on the need to ensure easy flow of water in their places,” he said.

He said that Kano State has commenced planning ahead of anticipated 2022 rainy season flooding in many parts of the state.

He said the State has started stockpiling relief materials in response to the NIMET’s prediction about the possibility of more flooding.

According to Dr Jiji, Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is on alert in case of any emergency situation. The state also designated places to serve as temporary shelters for those to be displaced by the anticipated disasters.

Pundits attribute the frequent occurrence of flooding in urban and rural communities to the unwholesome habit of building structures on waterways, as well as dumping Refuse in drains.

On his part, the Territorial Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency in Kano, Dr Nuradeen Abdullahi, assured that his Agency was prepared to respond to any situation, adding that there were enough relief materials in stock.

He stated that although there were many factors responsible, blockage of waterways by residents was a major factor, hence the need for a change of attitude.

Kabiru Getso, Kano State Commissioner for Environment, said the government had been engaging in the evacuation of Refuse as part of its “Keep Kano Clean” campaign.

“So far, more than 70,000 linear meters of drains have been de-silted, and more than 1,600 strips of silted materials have been evacuated from drains”, he revealed.

Getso also revealed that the state had submitted the ‘State Pollution Control Bill’ to the state House of Assembly, which had passed through the second reading.

“If passed, the state will have laws criminalising environmental offences such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other forms of environmental pollution,” he said.

By Muhammad Aminu

No fewer than 45 suspected thugs were arrested by police in Kano metropolis trying to cause mayhem and rob unsuspecting passersby, thereby disrupting public peace and stability in the state.

In a statement on Monday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa said they recovered weapons and illicit drugs from the thugs.

According to Kiyawa, the suspects were planning to terrorise the public when Operations Puff Adder sorrounded the area after a distress call from good-spirited individuals.

The statement read in part: “Forty-five (45) suspected thugs (‘Yan Daba) were arrested with dangerous weapons and large quantity of illicit drugs. Suspects confessed that, they were invited from different parts of Kano Metropolis in name (sic) of attending a wedding ceremony, and converged at “Filin Mahaha” smoking and taking different types of illicit drugs.

“On the 26/06/2022 at about 1300hrs, reports were received through the command’s emergency numbers; 08032419754 and 08123821575, that groups of thugs (‘Yan Daba) in large number with dangerous weapons were sighted blocking Kofar Na’isa and Kwanar Diso, Gwale LGA Kano, in an attempt to attack and rob members of the public especially passersby and road users.

“On receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed teams of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Bashir Musa Gwadabe to proceed to the scene. The area was immediately cordoned off and the thugs trapped at “Filin Mahaha.”

Kano City has been witnessing upsurge of thuggery including phone snatching and attacks on passersby although police claims to be taking control of the situation.

Analysts say thug activities are likely to increase in the State as we approach 2023 general election as politicians exploit jobless youths in advancing their political interests.

According to SP Kiyawa, the Commissioner of Police directed for discreet investigation into the activities of the thugs prior to their prosecution in the Court.

While commending residents for volunteering information to the Police, he called for support from the general public to rid the State of criminals and their criminalities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Ansaru terrorist group reportedly took over communities in the eastern part of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State and banned political activities.

The Daily Reality gathered that this was not the first time the terrorists conquered the area, recruited young residents and married up their young girls.

According Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressives’ Union (BEPU), who spoke through its chairman, Ishaq Kasai, the terrorists have camps in seven political wards in the eastern part of the Local government area.

He added, “In fact, the group continue to gain acceptance from many members of the communities, particularly in Old Kuyello and Damari of Kazage Ward. Even this week, two members of the group were engaged to wed two girls and will be tying the nuptial knots by the coming Saturday.

“The Ansaru (grooms) laid down some rules to the in-laws for the wedding. They ruled that, after the wedding, they would take the brides to the forests and live there with them and do not want the brides to go along with any furniture except plates (coolers) and mattresses because anything other than that is not in tandem with their beliefs and convictions.

“A disturbing scenario is where the group banned all political activities in many communities such as Damari of Kazage Ward. Politicians from these communities have to go far away secretly to the neighbouring communities before they hold political meetings.

“For instance, this week, an Okada rider who lives in Unguwar Makera of Kazage Ward was seen with a sticker of one of the candidates vying for the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and he was thoroughly beaten by the Ansaru.

“People in these communities are now disenchanted and frustrated about participating in political activities.

“We don’t know how the coming Elections will take place in those areas because even the last Local Government Election did not hold in the Area due to the escalating insecurity, which made the election results be declared inconclusive, and a Sole Administrator was appointed overseeing the affairs the Local Government up till now.

“In short, the Ansaru are now in charge of many of the communities in the area, and the group is expanding its occupation. They now call the shot and determine what is to be done in the villages they are dominating,”‘ he said.

No intervention from the government

Kasai decried that there has been no government or military intervention in these communities long since the attack.

He lamented, “our communities are being attacked, people kidnapped and killed daily without a response, acknowledgement or report from Government.

“We call on the Government to please organise a coordinated security operation both aerial and ground to the hideouts of these criminals in our forests in order to flush them and stop daily killings of our people by the unchallenged terrorist groups surrounding our communities,” he said.

However, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Jalige, stated that he needed to study the statement before comments.

By Muhammad Aminu

Kano State Government has said that all students who passed its qualifying examination would write the 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination organised by the National Examination Council (NECO).

Kano State Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, told journalists in Kano on Monday that the Kano State Government had settled part of its debt with the examination body.

Malam Garba further debunked what he called “erroneous reports” that the State owes NECO N15 billion naira.

He confirmed that 15, 313 students would sit for the examination as planned.

Mal Garba also hinted that the examination would not hold on Monday as it is only the Test Interpretation Practical for teachers to come up with modalities for the practical exams that would be held Monday.

He said the State Government also paid examination fees for over 1000 students with special needs in public schools to enable them to write this year’s examination.

He said: “We have settled for 15,313 Students with nine credits and the essay part of the exam is commencing on 4th July while the State still paid for 1,018,000 Disabled Students, which means that the story that Kano is holding N15 Billion Debts is untrue”.

According to the Commissioner, 7,500 female students’ registration fees had been also settled as part of a special intervention to promote girl-child education in Kano State.

He added that LGAs cumulatively also sponsored 5,400 students for the examination.

“15,313 students that had 9 credits from qualifying examination; 1,018 students living with disabilities, as well as 7,300 for Special Intervention which is basically for Girl Child Education; and local government councils paid for 5,400 students,” the Commissioner explained.

The Daily Reality reported earlier that Kano students may not write the examination due to debt settlement conflict between Kano State Government and the examination body.

The examination body demands settlement of N700m of the N1.5bn before the students will be allowed.

He said the state government had paid NECO N356m last week and would finalise their discussion any moment to resolve the impasses.

By Muhammadu Sabiu

Residents living in the Mada district of the Gusau Local Government Area, Zamfara State, have lamented that gunmen operating in the area have now taken complete control of the region.

According to available information, the district’s residents had abandoned their communities as a result of the men of the underworld’s relentless terror strikes.

A source states that numerous peasants have set up camp along the route between Kotorkoshi and Mada town as refugees after the robbers defeated the security personnel.

“We have not taken our baths for some days now because the notorious bandits have hijacked the entire area as they have overpowered the security operatives.

“As I am talking to you now, I don’t know the whereabouts of my two wives and children and I don’t know whether they have been kidnapped or they escaped to another area.

“We have no other means of livelihood except farming but we have been banned from our farming activities by bandits. The only wife and children with me now have entered Kotorkoshi village to beg for food for us to survive,” a resident identified as Mallan Ibrahim Mada was quoted as saying.

Recall that the Zamfara State government through its commissioner of information, Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara and that of Security and Internal Affairs confirmed that Mada district has been witnessing incessant terror attacks.

This forced the government to close all the markets and gas stations in the affected areas due to the increasing frequency of banditry operations in the axis.

“The State government is aware of the plight of the people due to banditry activities bedevilling the entire area; we, therefore, decided to shut down all the markets and filling stations to reduce the incessant terror attacks in the axis.

The incessant attacks appear to be one of the reasons the Matawalle-led administration seeks the Federal Government’s approval to legalise the use of firearms by residents of the affected communities.

The commissioner said, “We engaged the Federal Government into dialogue so that it can approve our request for everyone that is qualified to be carrying weapons for self-defense to reduce the tension.”

By Muhammad Aminu & Uzair Adam Imam

Kano State students from public secondary schools may not write the 2022 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) due to the failure of the Kano State Government to settle outstanding debt of N1.5bn to the National Examination Council (NECO).

Sources familiar with the matter in the Kano Ministry of Education and NECO office confirmed to The Daily Reality.

The examination body has been in touch with the Kano State Government for the settlement of the debt, but the feedback remained negative.

At least 15000 students from Kano State public secondary schools are expected to sit for the examination, whose fees are paid by the Kano State Government.

Insiders in the NECO Office said that due to the indebtedness, which affects logistics and other obligations, it is less likely for the exam to commence tomorrow, June 27, as scheduled nationwide.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary Kano State Ministry of Education, Hajia Lauratu Ado, told Solacebase that the state government is already discussing with NECO.

Hajia Lauratu said the state government had paid NECO N356m last week. Still, the examination body insisted that N700m must be paid before the state students would be allowed to write the examination.

“We are surprised with the stand of NECO because apart from the payment of N356m, the state government also wrote a commitment letter to the body stating that N50m would be released to the examination body monthly.

“The examination body did not inform us that it did not accept our commitment and the payment of the N356m not until yesterday. Since then, we have been in discussion with NECO so as to address the issue,” quoting the Permanent Secretary.

Hajia Lauratu said the state government is committed to releasing another N300m to enable Kano students to participate in the examination, but the NECO’s portal was not available as at Sunday evening.

NECO’s Public Relations Officer, Azeez Sani, said he is unaware of the development between NECO and Kano State Government.

Meanwhile, parents and teachers lament the lackadaisical attitude with which Kano State Government is handling the education sector in the state.

“Look, I paid the fees for my children and I was told they may not be allowed to write the examination starting tomorrow due to the government owing NECO, how is that my problem?

“As I speak with you, my children are disturbed about the situation,” said a parent.

A secondary teacher who spoke in confidence to The Daily Reality said: “The development is very traumatic. The Kano State Government has failed both teachers and students, let alone parents.

“Government shouldn’t have allowed this to happen. The debt of about N1.5bn should be paid, so our students do not miss this year’s exams.”

It can be recalled that NECO withheld the 2021 results for Kano students due to the outstanding debt the state owed the Council.

Similarly, in 2022, Kano State Government drew public outcry for declining to pay NECO fees for students that failed the Qualifying Examination.

By Tijjani Muhammad Musa

Our primary problems in Northern Nigeria (Arewa) as far as the media landscape is concerned are a lack of support and patronage for our own media outlets, shallow-mindedness of our Arewa celebrities and self-centeredness of our social media influencers. Let me briefly explain these.

When a media outlet is floated, whether physically or online, many of our intelligentsia would choose to ignore it and refuse to contribute to its development, survival or sustenance. Some even find it offensive to see their writings featured on such platforms. So how can you imagine them making any effort towards reaching more people via such channels with their brilliant ideas?

This lack of encouragement by the intellectual elites of the Arewa region eventually quashes the zeal of the owners of the medium. So they end up laying their medium to rest, and nobody bothers to ask them why.

Next, our Arewa celebrities are primarily uneducated, digitally unsophisticated or advanced in thinking enough to realize the importance of their newfound status.

Instead of leveraging their popularity to drive home the concerns and aspirations of their people, their region and religion across the country or even globally, most of them just let the star status get into their heads. Thus, they end up as an ill wind that blows nobody good.

Finally, our Social Media influencers, most of them except for a minute few, are more or less acting like local champions, without any focus on using their influence to change the mindset of their followers.

These so-called influencers are constantly striving to create and upload content that only keeps the fire of attention from their followers burning, thereby getting them more and more Likes, comments, and emotes.

Very few among the influencers bother to target being a voice of the masses they represent. In contrast, their voices could be heard echoing the primary issues that concern their embattled region on a national and global scale so that something is done about it.

And they also would refuse to echo and make a trend of burning matters that affect their people, region and religion. A typical example is the acquisition of PVC for the 2023 elections. Have you seen any Arewa Social Media influencers making it a topic of importance? Almost none!

That attitude is unlike that of their counterparts across the divide and globe, who would each lend their support and credence to any trending topic of local, state, regional, national and global concern. Create and add their voices to any other SMI’s effort, so it assumes a loudness nobody can ignore.

Ours would instead choose to write or talk about what will keep their fans entertained, no matter how mundane that is.

Tijjani Muhammad Musa, alias Poetic Tee, is the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Kano Chapter. He can be reached via mmtijjani@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Aminu

Experts have advised women and young girls, particularly in northern Nigeria to make judicious use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to better their lots and change society for the better.

The experts gave the advice at a roundtable discussion on the Challenges of Seeding and Nurturing Creativity and Innovation Among Young Women Organised by the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) in Kano.

Aliyu Aliyu, an Independent Consultant, decried that socioeconomic and cultural barriers as well as inadequate role models to emulate are stifling women and young girls from actualising their full potentials in Nigeria.

Aliyu contended that women and girls are creative and problem solvers and that all they need are inspiration and mentorship to leverage digital technology to unleash their potential for their success and societal development.

“Young women need to use their time in a way that will better their lives, use social media in an effective and rewarding way, set their priorities and know how to achieve them, he added.

According to Dr Sana Muaz of the Department of Software Engineering, Bayero University, Kano, there are challenges for young women but with passion and zeal to excel, they can create a niche for themselves in society.

She advised girls to always understand a business idea well before venturing into it so that they can not just start a business but can build a sustainable brand in business against all odds.

She called on the participants to always remember their important position as women that other girls would look up to as role models.

In her contribution, Malama Aisha Bako, Chief Executive Officer, Onyx Investment Advisory Limited, challenged the participants to penetrate the ICT sector to make their contribution to society instead of wasting their resources on fruitless activities on social media.

“Platforms like TikTok and Instagram are paying huge amounts of money to those that know how to use them well,” she added.

The Chairman of the discussion, Prof. Asabe Mohammed while commended CITAD for the Initiative called on the participants to make the best use of the “unique opportunity” to improve their lives and society.

Earlier, CITAD’s head of Digital Creativity and Innovation for Girls (DICIG), Kamaluddeen Umar, said the programme is aimed at empowering girls to have access to digital skills in order to address the gender digital divide in Northern Nigeria.

He said: “The aim is to provide digital skills training for 200 girls (100 per year), to produce 80 digital entrepreneurs (40 per year) and create 160 new digital jobs for girls (80 per year).

“Selected participants were: girls between the ages of 18-30 who have a minimum secondary school education and are from Bauchi, Gombe and Kano States in addition to having an interest in building and running their business.”

According to Umar, the participants will undergo five phases of training basic, advanced, business ideation, business development support services market transition which some participants will be selected on the merit of their performance and business idea for awards.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Police Constable, Nura Mande, has been honoured by Katsina State Police Command for finding and returning the missing 800 dollars to its owner in the state.

The Daily Reality learnt that the money belongs to a female intending pilgrim, Hajiya Hadiza Usman.

Mande was reportedly presented with a letter of commendation and N30,000 by the Commissioner of Police, Idris Dabban.

SP Gambo Isah, the Command’s Spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement, stating that the constable was on official duty at the state Pilgrims Welfare Board Hajj camp when he found the money.

He added that “while discharging his duty at the Hajj camp, PC Mande found the 800 dollars on the ground and returned it to the board’s Director of Administration, Alhaji Sada Salisu-Rumah.

“PC Mande disclosed that it was his fear of God that made him to return the money to the board’s official so that it could be returned to the owner.

“Salisu-Rumah commended the police constable for his good behaviour and honesty,” he added.

Isah added in the statement that the Police Commissioner was very excited over the display of honesty by Maude.

He, however, called on other police personnel in the command to emulate him.

By Muhammad Sabiu

A 65-year-old man named Ibrahim Suleiman of Tsigi Quarters in Kiyawa local Government has been detained by Jigawa State police in connection with the abduction of an elderly woman.

The arrest was confirmed by the command’s spokeswoman, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam.

Ibrahim Suleiman, 65, of Tsigi Quarters, Kiyawa LG, was detained in connection with the kidnapping of Ibrahim Gaya’s mother.

Recall that there were reports that unidentified gunmen abducted the 70-year-old mother of governing All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Tijjani Ibrahim Gaya for the Jigawa Central Senatorial District on Tuesday.

He stated that the suspect was apprehended after he was seen in one of the vehicles that the shooters used to torment their victims, adding that investigations into the incident were still ongoing.