Local

By Abdullahi A Alkasim

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State frees 3,717 inmates of Correctional Centres in Kano from 2015 to 2021, all in an effort to decongest these Centres, as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari a few years back. The President urged state governors to help decongest Correctional Centres nationwide.

He made the disclosure when he received, in a courtesy call, members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Centres Reform and Decongestion, at his office, Thursday, under the Chairmanship of Justice Ishaq Bello.

“President Muhammadu Buhari thought it right when he called for the decongestion of our Correctional Centres. Looking at the happenings in those Centres. That, we should respect life and we should have hope in our inmates,” he stated.

He disclosed that “We adopted two major strategies to answer the call of President Muhammadu Buhari, for decongesting Correctional Centres.

We put in place the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, under which we release inmates two times a year. All during Sallah festivities. Sallah-El-Fitr and Sallah-El-Kabir. So far we have released 3,717 inmates from 2015 to date.

We paid for them, fees they were not able to pay that landed them in those Centres. We also give them transport money after they regained freedom. We recruit some of them in the state civil service.

We are also keen on the administration of justice. Many at times it is not all about releasing those inmates, but we still have a greater percentage of those in these Centres as awaiting trials individuals.”

Justice Bello, who led the Committee, commended governor Ganduje’s “…demonstration of interest and passion when it comes to issues of justice.”

Explaining to the governor, “We have gotten into files and received cases today when over 28 people regained freedom.”

“Furthermore it is crucial to mention that with the support of the Kano state government, the Committee was able to secure the release of about 368 inmates from various correctional centres in Kano state at the of the first visit,” he disclosed.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Traders at Kwanar Tifa in Tudun Murtala, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, have lamented the deplorable condition of the only road that passes through the community. They decry that this hampers business activities in the area.

The traders also called on the authority in the state to come to their aid.

Kwanar Tifa is a centre of commercial activities for the Tudun Murtala and the surrounding communities.

Apart from small scale industries that offer job opportunities to thousands of youths, men and women, there is a phone market that gives business opportunities for many more people in the area.

Hassan Ibrahim, one of the traders in the area, called upon the state government to rescue traders in the area. He added that many businesses might crumble if nothing is done.

“The reconstruction of this road will not only benefit us as it connects Tudun Murtala, Rimin Kebe, Dawakin Dakata and other areas, but also boost business activities in the area”, Hassan said.

He further added that sometimes trucks find it very difficult to convey goods to the area.

“Sometimes, the drivers would park a distance away or in the puddles created by the stagnant water.

“This costs us more money. You have to pay extra money to the labourers to bring the good here.”

Also, drivers complained of the nuisance faced while plying the road.

“Sometimes, when we come here, our trucks get stuck because of the erosions. The road is terrible,” said a driver, Haruna Idris.

The Daily Reality learnt that the Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government, Auwalu Alhassan Shu’aibu, alias Aramfosu, once visited the area to ascertain the level of damage on the road.

According to a trader, Abubakar U. Lawan, the chairman promised the traders that the road would soon be reconstructed.

He said, “There was a time when the Chairman of Nassarawa Local Government, Honorable Aramfosu, came here to see this road.

“At that time, he made promises, but those promises have not been fulfilled.”

All attempts made to hear from the chairman was proved abortive.

By Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan

It is commonsensically understandable when Kano Hizba could not stage a daring raid on Fatima Ganduje’s wedding or that of powerful people. Their excuse is acceptable to good Muslims and every reasonable person. However, some dimwitted Islamophobic detractors of Islam, who hate or fear Muslims, Islamic politics or culture, will always scorn the Hizba.

From Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s governance in Kano to date, Hizba has always been the first target of those Islamophobia-suffering people. When they were strong, Hizba succeeded in reducing prostitution, alcohol drinking, excesses of Kannywood actors and actresses and helped maintain order in Kano. It also provided means of livelihood to thousands then, just as KAROTA delivers now. And, since the second coming of Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the powers given to the Hizba during Malam Shekarau was drastically reduced. Politics is all to blame; we all know.

So why do those detractors of Islam choose to ignore this simple fact? Why do they ignore the capitalistic, autocratic Nigerian factor of “the rich/powerful is always right”? Why do they criticise when Hizba works, as when they burn crates of beer, and when the board fails? In that case, what do these detractors want? Similarly, why do we judge people and institutions by some few wrongs or some unavoidably uncontrollable wrongs and limitations? If Allah forgives the Hizba for being forced to overlook, then why can’t you?

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Allah has forgiven my nation for mistakes and forgetfulness, and WHAT THEY ARE FORCED TO DO.”

Similarly, “Allah burdens no soul beyond its capacity”. To its credit is what it earns, and against it is what it commits. “Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not burden us as You have burdened those before us. Our Lord, do not impose on us more than we have the strength to bear; and pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us. You are our Master, so help us against the disbelieving people.”

Lastly, they arrested a prostitute, Sadiya Haruna, because they can arrest transgressors like her and alhamdulillah they did. Whoever has complaints should please take a lawyer for Sadiya. Finally, I pray may these Muslim detractors of Islam come to their senses before it is too late.

Mubarak Ibrahim Lawan writes from Kano.

A traveller, Sadiq Tijjani Inuwa Bakori, wrote on his Facebook page that angry youths in Yantumaki town of Katsina State had blocked Kankara – Dutsinma federal highway in protest against insecurity in their areas.

Mr Bakori added that they tried to go back, but the next village also blocked the road. “We can’t proceed, and we can’t go back.”

Reports show that some of the irate youths have set tires on fire. Plumes of smoke could be seen from a distance.

According to Mr Bakori, military personnel and police have arrived at the chaotic scene, but they couldn’t do anything. Commuters were stranded.

There have been several kidnapping and bandit activities in the towns and villages of Katsina and other neighbouring states in the region. However, government and security personnel claim to have been doing their best to restore peace.

Ahmed Joda, an elder statesman, was one of the finest administrators who held several positions in the Northern regional government and later, the Federal government of Nigeria.

Ahmed Joda, OFR, CON, CFR, rose through the administrative cadre of the Northern regional government and then the federal civil service. He retired as Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industries.

During the administration of the youthful General Yakubu Gowon, Malam Joda was considered to be among a group known as super Permanent Secretaries.

Details soon.

By Muhammad Sabiu

Eight suspects in connection with the murder of three women in Rafin Bauna community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State have been apprehended by Troops of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH)

The arrest was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the Media Officer of the task force, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, in a statement.

Recall that an incident occurred in which suspected gunmen raided a community, attacked three women on a farm, and instantly killed two and injured one, who later passed on.

In the statement, the army officer said, “Troops of OPSH this afternoon arrested 8 suspects in connection with the shooting of three women on a farm close to Rafin Bauna general area in Bassa.

“The troops earlier responded to a distress call and immediately mobilised to the scene and discovered 2 of the 3 women were shot dead on the spot, while one of the women sustained gunshot wounds.

“Unfortunately, the injured one later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.”

By Abdurrahman Nasir Salis

The emergence of Abduljabbar Kabara is a blessing and not entirely a curse to the Muslim Ummah from this part of the world. Abduljabbar is a common enemy to variegated clans of foes, to wit Izala, Tijjaniyya, Qadiriyya and Salafiyya, among other sects, who could neither share a shade to rest, mosque to preach and pray nor a home to shelter.

The aftereffect of fighting the common enemy has taught all the clans that the commonalities they share as Muslims far outweigh the differences. It taught all the sects that they have for long overtired themselves on trivialities that are neither a passport to paradise nor a ticket to hell.

Yesterday, I saw three or four different sects I mentioned hereinbefore, who, to an extent and often attribute infidelity or disbelief to each other gathered amicably in a mosque in Kano belonging to one sect (Tijjaniyya), preaching together and praying together. I saw their guards, “Yan Agaji“, working side by side in complete harmony and feeling of togetherness, considering themselves brother’s keeper.

From the onset, seeing Izala guards together with Qadiriyya’s and Tijjaniyya’s “Yan Agaji” at the doors of Tijjaniyya Mosque named SHEIKH IBRAHIM INYASS MOSQUE bewilderedly caught my eyes and attention. Despite the saying that curiosity kills the cat, I entered the mosque with no fear of being killed as the cat. I saw scholars of all the sects on a single table and a crowd of onlookers, the loud cheerers, from all the sects, listening to their Sheikhs filled with feelings of togetherness and inclusivity, and above all, seeing each other as Muslim with Islam at the top of the priority scale and pushing all other considerations to the bottom of the scale.

Life is indeed the best teacher. This happening is not just an ordinary incident that will pass by time. Muslims and their Sheikhs should take this as a lesson that should symbolise how we should behave like Muslims. Unity shall be our sigil. Let me conclude by the saying of the Almighty Allah in the Holy Qur’an Chapter 8 Verse 73: “The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless you do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief”.

Abdurrahman Nasir Salis writes from Kano.

abdurrahman00800@gmail.com

+234 806 578 7324

By Muhammad Sabiu

Some 28 out of the 121 kidnapped Bethel Baptist Secondary School students have on Sunday regained their freedom after being held for weeks in captivity.

Recall that the students were on July 8 abducted at their school premises in Chikum Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A report by Tribune newspaper has indicated that this development was confirmed by the Chairman of the Kaduna chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Hayab. He added that the students would be reunited with their families.

Although the abductors of the students demanded the sum of M60 million as ransom, it remains unknown whether or not the money was paid before the release of some of the students. Kidnapping and killings have become a quotidian threat in northwest Nigeria despite the efforts made by security agents to curb the problems.

I entered the market today to sample ram prices. The big one we bought for N70,000 last year is now N250,000 to N300,000. A medium ram is now N80,000 to N150,000. And a small one is around N60,000 to N70,000. These prices are all depending on the city and the market.

One interesting point that I want to make here is, I am presently in Kano and everything looks cheaper in Kano than in other states in the North and probably in Nigeria at large.

Therefore, what makes ram so expensive giving the fact that it has near 100% local content? First, it has to do with human greed and wickedness. Prices in Nigeria are influenced by approaching festive seasons not and not only the natural and conventional law of demand and supply. There was never a sallah with shortages of rams.

Second, it very clear that there has been food inflation in Nigeria. Rams feed on the by-products of local food staples like wheat, maize, rice, millet, Guinea corn and rice. If they are expensive, their by-products, the offal and chaps will definitely be expensive.

Third, is the devaluation of Naira. With the nation’s currency losing value and the government also officially devaluing it, the purchasing power of Naira will naturally drop, and it is drastically dropping everyday. Naira doesn’t hold much value today compared to last year. Take N20,000 to the market today and you will get 40% value of what it used to be last year.

Then last but not the least is the corruption components added to transportation of rams. The police, VIOs, state traffic agents and other security agencies are all out to make a kill by collecting bribes from all vehicles conveying livestock. There are also middlemen in all markets that impose tolls and illegal taxes on every head of ram.

So what to do?

The best way to go around it is either to buy an alternative to ram like sheep or goat that are cheaper or wait for the purchase a day after sallah when the market is becoming a buyer’s market. There are three days grace for layya. That way you can get ram 30% cheaper.

It is indeed obvious that life is generally not easy in Nigeria! If you are alive and healthy give glory to Allah and do what you can afford. Layya is only compulsory for those that have the means. If you can’t afford ram use your money and face other issues and pray for Allah’s blessings. Don’t overspend because after sallah you will still pay school fees. Those of us with children in universities should also brace up for increase in tuition fees. There is going to be increase in prices of petrol and electricity. The government is just bidding it’s time but mark my words, with crude oil price going up, the government will surely increase petrol price.

I wish all of us a very warm and wonderdul Barka da sallah.

Aliyu Nuhu

Abuja, Nigeria

Ram sellers in Kaduna famous Zango Cattle Market on Monday decried low patronage barely 24 hours to the 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration. The ram sellers said that customers were not forthcoming, and their hope for a brisk business this year seems to have been dashed due to the poor state of the nation’s economy. According to some ram sellers, the situation has forced many of them to sell on credit.

A livestock dealer at the market, Malam Samaila, said that the ram business was not flourishing as before due to the economic and insecurity situations in the country.

Investigation reveals that a medium-size ram is sold at N40000 against its previous price of N25000, while a well-bred ram is sold for between N90000 and N150000. The prices of sheep and goats also indicate similar hikes as they are sold at N20,000 and N25000 against their previous prices of N15,000 and N10,000, respectively.