Abba Kabir Yusuf (Gida-Gida)

By Mahmud Aminu Dambazau

The renewed interest in the state of infrastructure at Day Science College, Kano, by its alumni is highly commendable. When I was admitted thirteen years back, the school was one of the best in Kano State. No student sat on the ground; teaching materials were adequate; the library was full of books; the Physics, Chemistry, Biology and  Agric laboratories were well-equipped and functional. There was a Technical drawing studio, a weather station and even a computer lab provided by MTN. 

A large generator and school bus provided by the Malam Ibrahim Shekarau administration were well-maintained and functional. The toilets were clean and accessible. We even had a mini farm utilised by the agricultural students; water was never scarce. The school mosque had enough mats. That was then!

The academics, discipline and respect were topnotch. We wouldn’t have been one of the best if we had not been so lucky to have some of the best teachers across all disciplines. The current intervention proposed by the school’s old students might solve or at least reduce the present infrastructural gap. Below are  suggestions I think would help in sustaining or maintaining such and future interventions. 

A report by the 2012 chapter of The Old Students in 2021 revealed that there wasn’t even one classroom fully equipped with infrastructure and several classes without a single seat! The situation is worse at the moment. This is despite the interventions by corporate bodies, NGOs, CBOs, alumni, individuals and probably even the government. Maintaining infrastructure and equipment is impossible without funding. This decay might have been contributed by the pronouncement of free education by the government without providing alternative funding for these maintenances and other costs. 

I, therefore, propose a meeting with parents, teachers and representatives of chapters of the old students. Parents should be made to understand the importance of quality education and the present state of the schools in the absence of a stable funding option. The parents should, therefore, pay the sum of just five hundred naira (500) per student each term, which will, of course, not be school fees but meant for the provision and maintenance of physical and learning infrastructure. The individual chapters from the alumni should similarly pledge and contribute an annual fee of ten thousand naira (10,000) to be utilised for the same purpose.  

A friend of mine, Engr. Mustapha Tukur founded an initiative initially meant to consist of one hundred individuals in the Gadon kaya area of Kano who contribute the sum of one thousand naira monthly. I still can’t believe the number of interventions we have made through the voluntary contributions, which now involve other friends of his, even outside Gadon Kaya. With thousands of us as old students of Day Science College, if we could get just one thousand volunteers who could contribute one thousand naira per term (3-4 months),  we would be getting a million naira each term, which will go a long way in solving these issues raised in both short and long term.  

These funds can be managed by a committee with representatives from the parents, teachers,  school management, the school’s alumni and a representative of the KASSOSA national body.  The committee could be named Day Science Development Fund with clear guidelines, objectives, terms, timelines and deliverables.  

The above recommendations should not stop future government,  individual, chapter, or corporation interventions.  

While interventions have almost always been focused on physical infrastructure, there is a need to pay similar attention to the quality of education rendered. I was present at a debate organised by the pioneer administration of the KASSOSA BUK chapter among science school students. Day Science emerged second to the last, even though it was among sister science schools. The school, KASSOSA, or any respective chapter did not care to collect, analyse and report students’ performances at SSCE or similar examinations. While it is possible to excel academically without infrastructure,  it is impossible without quality education, even with the best infrastructure.  

On this note, I suggest an assessment be conducted to determine the number of teachers currently available for each course. Where the teachers are inadequate, Kassosites, with emphasis on those from Day science, should be engaged on contract to supplement the shortage. 

We have numerous alumni who have graduated yet are unemployed. If monies could be realised, an allowance which can cover their transportation and possibly feeding should be given to them. With that, we would have helped the school, its students, and the members of the old students who would ordinarily have been idle. With these interventions, I believe the past glories of Day Science College, now Mukhtar Adnan Day Science College, will be renewed.  

Mahmud Aminu Dambazau is a graduate of KASSOSA DSCK Class 2013. He sent this article via madambazau@gmail.com.

I would like to, first of all, congratulate you on your victory in the Supreme Court, which makes you nervous and suspenseful about the ruling. However, I wish to advise you based on the Kano people and beyond trust and a soft spot for you that made them vote for you never to disappoint them—for you will regret doing so eventually.

In the past and even now, many individuals have said that the politics of godfatherism are what may likely make you disappoint those you govern. Still, I am sure you will have them buried in their heads like bloody cow carcasses—I mean, the people saying that the politics of godfatherism is what may ultimately break you.

Abba, always remember the show of love and solidarity that the electorate displayed for you, even from those in other states of the country. Put that in the back of your mind so that whatever you do, you will consider it.

Sir, no one can deny that you have a passion for impartial leadership. This passion has been the driving force behind the people confiding in you from 2019 to 2023 when you were elected as the executive governor of Kano State.

Sir. Yusuf, you have demonstrated that you have a good blueprint for the common people of Kano State. This fact is undeniable for Kano residents and the whole country in general. Nevertheless, you started reviving what Kano lost, ranging from educational reform to agricultural development to health care, and so forth, with a clear mind—never back down, please.

Therefore, don’t allow yourself to be brainwashed by those who don’t have the state at heart but rather their narrow personal interests. People worldwide prayed and wished you well from the start of your political endeavours to where you are, so never make them regret their confidence in you.

I wish you all the very best in all your administrations.

Mallam Musbahu Magayaki writes from Sabon Fegi, Azare, Bauchi State. He can be reached via musbahumuhammad258@gmail.com.

By Abbas Datti

Following the Apex court’s ruling in favour of Eng Abba Kabir Yusuf as the legitimate elected governor of Kano State, there arises the compelling debates with regards to balkanization of Kano emirate, and potential return of Sunusi II to Gidan Dabo, as well as possible removal of the present emir, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero.

Sunusi’s potential return to the throne is not without its challenges and complexities. Understanding the possibilities of post-Sunusi II and assessing the current political climate before making such a decision is paramount.

Considering Sunusi’s wide popularity and global influence, he may not necessarily obey Abba Kabir Yusuf as governor of Kano State. Sunusi’s tacit approval for women to confront their maltreating husbands in their matrimonial homes comes into play. Therefore, there’s a need for both Kwankwaso and Abba Kabir to ensure a delicate balance between addressing the fears that may arise from Sunusi’s reinstatement and charting a justifiable reason towards the dismounting of Ado Bayero’s biological son from the throne.

Supporters of Sunusi II passionately advocate for his reinstatement, citing his worldwide recognition and his radical approach to some social problems. Also, for opponents of the immediate past governor of Kano State, Sunusi’s enthronement is seen as a stab in the back to Eng Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the restoration of Kano’s kingdom dignity.

However, the broader implications of such a move require diligent, careful considerations. Both supporters of Aminu Ado Bayero and Sunusi are closely watching the unfolding events, with questions threatening the respect, dignity, and reverence enjoyed by the Kano emirate.

Balancing the expectations of various factions, addressing the concerns of opposing voices, and fostering an inclusive dialogue will be key to a successful solution to the emerging calls about removing Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero.

The possibility of enthroning back Sunusi is a multifaceted scenario with far-reaching possibilities. As the political stage sets for Sunusi’s potential return, the world observes with keen interest, eager to witness the unfolding of a narrative that could reshape the destiny of Kano State and redefine the dynamics of the leadership of Kano emirate.

Abbas Datti writes from Kano via abbasdatti448@gmail.com.

By Rabi’u Gama

I almost spent a sleepless night reading the Court of Appeal’s judgement on the Kano State Governorship Election Petition. The 72-page document has raised many questions and generated mixed and confusing reactions among millions of people, particularly in Kano, immediately after its release to the public.

After a calm reading of the judgement, it is evident that there is a significant error in the conclusion of the lead judgement. The conclusion of the lead judgement, which “…resolve all the issues in favour of the Appellant (AKY) against the 1st Respondent” and “…set aside the judgement of the Tribunal” and finally “awarded the sum of one million Naira in favour of the Appellant against the 1st Respondent” is just a mistake; a grave mistake, though, in my opinion, not fatal or unpardonable.

If you read the judgement carefully, you will see that the reasoning of the court on the merit of the case was decisively against the Appellant (AKY) in favor of the 1st Respondent (Gawuna). The only error – a very grievous error – is with regard to the conclusion of the lead judgment. This becomes more obvious when you look at the fact that all the two concurring judgements found the appeal to be “bereft of merit” and also (just like the lead judgement) “…dismissed it and upheld the judgement of the Trial Tribunal”.

From the reasoning of the Court, that conclusion is just what it is: a slip of the pencil or a clerical error – so to speak – which can be, in fact, should be, waived aside with a single nod of the head. That mistake alone cannot reasonably change the preceding reasonings and findings of the court. The error is grave. Or was it a Freudian Slip? By the way, a Freudian Slip is an unintentional mistake that reveals a person’s subconscious thoughts, wishes, or desires.

Therefore, in my humble opinion, AKY lost this appeal. The mistake in the lead judgement’s conclusion (a slip of the pencil) will not change a thing. AKY should head to the Supreme Court, as he has already expressed his intention to do so. A clerical error like this should not deter a further appeal to the Apex Court of the land. Otherwise, there will be stories that will surely break and destroy many hearts.

However, there are many questions: how could such a serious mistake go unnoticed? Didn’t my Lord re-read the judgement after drafting it for grammatical corrections and possible typographical errors? In their concurring judgements, the two other Justices on the panel said: “They have read the lead judgement in draft (as it is customary for fellow judges to do) and adopted all the reasonings and the conclusion therein as theirs?”. Does that mean they, too, did not see that serious mistake while “reading the judgement in [the] draft”? What about the Registrar of the Court? Didn’t he also see the mistake before releasing the Certified Copy of the judgment to the world? So many questions to ask.

Rabiu Gama is a student from the Faculty of Law at Bayero University, Kano. He can be reached via rabiuminuwa327@gmail.com.

By Zulkifil Aminu Adam

It has come to our attention that three Kano residents with disabilities have been chosen to be among the recipients of the state’s current scholarship scheme. However, due to failure to match the conditions, i.e. First Class, they will be granted a domestic scholarship rather than a foreign one. This is highly commendable, and we express our heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the disability community. However, I beg permission to bring something critical to the notice of the administration in the hope that it will urge the government to reconsider this arrangement.

First and foremost, people with disabilities (PDWs) require special consideration in every socioeconomic, academic, and political sphere. This is a widely accepted general remark that arose due to the innate proclivities of individuals with disabilities. It is consistent with the above general statement that the University of Ilorin in Kwara state admits PWDs without requiring them to take the post-UTME, not to mention the various benefits PWDs receive at the university.

Several Nigerian universities have declared 160 as the cut-off mark for PWDs; the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is currently holding a conference with deaf student representatives from various Nigerian tertiary institutions to discuss and ensure compliance with the above statement in dealing with PWDs regarding admission issues.

Second, in the case of Kano and the Nigerian educational system in general. It is critical to consider the educational framework in which persons with disabilities grew up before proceeding with their placement or requiring particular academic standards from them. As deaf students in secondary school, we were taught by teachers who walked away after filling up blackboards because they couldn’t communicate in sign language. We had to study on our own. And the government did nothing to address the situation.

When we finished secondary school and fought for admission to the university, we were compelled to study in Special Education (a department that has never produced a first-class graduate) or change university. We don’t have a choice except to accept.

Then, we enter lecture halls and face a new challenge: exclusion. We sit among hearing students (who enjoy the lecture), feeling lost and neglected. We were not provided with sign language interpreters. Isn’t this depressing? Nonetheless, we persevered through all these difficulties until graduation.

Despite all the challenges we faced from secondary school to university, we were required to finish with first-class honours to be considered for a foreign scholarship. With due respect, the demand is excessive. The government, schools, or whatever institution should not give us less while expecting so much from us.

Of course, we do not justify lower academic performance by disability, but by our unmet needs and the numerous obstacles we face as people with disabilities on the path to academic improvement – thanks to the carefree attitude of the government and the universities. Please allow me to say that a deaf graduate from Bayero University Kano (BUK) with a Second Class is equivalent to a First-Class hearing graduate in the same university.

Dear KNSG, Kano deaf students, whether First Class or not, deserve a foreign scholarship. The difficulties they overcome to graduate are sufficient justifications. Let the scholarship be a restitution for the government’s neglect throughout history.

Zulkifil Aminu Adam is the Assistant Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Deaf Students (NANDS). He can be reached via zulqeepil19@gmail.com.

Your Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf

I hope this message reaches you in good condition. I write this letter to advise you on the teachers whose salaries have been withheld pending their verification and screening of their recruiting processes. We all believe this is for sustaining education quality within the state boundaries. 

It is heartbreaking and adds pain to the people in mourning. The suspended teachers can now be seen as unemployed, leading to a high rate of criminality, a threat to the state’s peace and stability, and creating economic hardship for the state. 

With due respect, Your Excellency Governor, not all suspended teachers are unqualified and incompetent. Most of them obtained National Certificate In Education (NCE), which is requisite for teaching, and we believe in putting everything in place.

I kindly call on the Excellency Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his cabinets for urgent consideration to reinstate the suspended teachers to take a breath of liberty. I hope this message reaches you on time and that you will consider my request.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I extend my best wishes to you as you continue leading Kano toward a brighter future.

Yakubu Nasir Khalid

yakubunasirukhalid@gmail.com

By Dr Yusuf Ya’u Gambo

Thirty-nine years ago, Dr Aliyu Isa Aliyu came into this world just a year after Late Governor Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi left office. With over a decade of work experience, Aliyu is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and the Deputy Director of the Research and Development Directorate at Federal University Dutse.

He was a research fellow at the School of Mathematics, Sun Yat-Sen University, China, where he served as the assistant head of the research and development committee. He also worked as a part-time lecturer of mathematics at Kano State Polytechnic more than ten years ago. 

Aliyu’s dedication and high-impact works have earned him widespread recognition in the global mathematical community, which has seen him listed among the top 2 per cent researchers in the world by Standford University, USA, among the top 2 per cent Mathematicians in Africa in the AD Scientific Index 2022, and among the top peer reviewers in Mathematics by Publons Web of Science.

His research primarily focuses on fractional calculus and its applications, Solition Theory, computational science and engineering, symmetry analysis and conservation laws of differential equations.

Aliyu has an impressive track record of scholarly accomplishments, having won the National Natural Science Foundation of China research grant and authored numerous influential publications in prestigious mathematical journals that generate over 2,700 citations with an H-index of 33 and an i10-index of 71.

The research pundit is currently a reviewer of about 20 highly regarded international journals, including the well-known IEEE Access, Frontiers in Physics, Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, among others.

Aliyu has taught several courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and has participated in various international conferences, some of which are the Computational Management Science Conference, Designing Health Care Appointment Systems using Genetic Algorithm and Simulated Annealing Algorithm in Spain, International Conference of Mathematics and Mathematics Education- A Solution of Telegraph Equation by Natural Decomposition Method in Turkey, International Conference on Mathematical Modelling in Applied Sciences, Optimal system, nonlinear self-adjointness and conservation laws for generalised shallow water wave equation in Russia, among others.

Over the years, the Assistant Prof. has acquired technical skills in numerous mathematical and statistical software packages, including MATLAB, Mathematica, Maple, C++, LaTex, among others. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Firat University Turkey, an M.Sc. in Mathematics from Jordan University of Science and Technology Jordan, and a B.Sc. in Mathematics from Bayero University Kano.

Aside from his academic pursuits, Dr Aliyu is actively involved in politics, showcasing his commitment to public service. He holds the esteemed position of Financial Secretary in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Kano State, advocating for policies that promote education, science, technology and youth inclusion. Additionally, he served as the Administrative Secretary in the 2023 Gubernatorial/Presidential campaign directorate of the NNPP Kano.

By Mahmud Aminu Dambazau

One of the trending topics in the past weeks has been the increase in registration fees of students by Bayero University, Kano. Before that, the University of Maiduguri, Federal University Dutse, University of Uyo and several others had increased theirs, and of course, it was anticipated following the revelation from the federal government that it could no longer fund universities.

I am glad the state universities in Kano have not toed that path yet, as several state universities have followed suit or tried to. Engr Rabi’u Kwankwaso’s administration has, among its biggest achievements, sponsored thousands of students abroad and within the country for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. While such numbers were unprecedented and unmatched by any other state administration, there is a need to reflect, assess the previous intervention, and possibly look for alternative ways to achieve the same result without necessarily taking the same route.

Many students had dropped out of tertiary institutions even when they had a passion for the study and were lucky to pass all stages of admission simply because they could not afford the then registration fees. A day hardly passes during registrations by tertiary institutions without students begging for public support to pay their fees on radio programs in the state. Now that most of these institutions have increased their fees which are in most cases more than 100%, we are likely to have an influx of dropouts across the state. With few job opportunities and frustrations of a crumbled dream, such could threaten a volatile security situation. More students will benefit from a home-based scholarship, even if partly, than a foreign one.

Between 2011 to 2015, when Kwankwaso sent students abroad, a dollar was exchanged for less than ₦200. With the dollar now fluctuating around ₦800. It means what would be spent for a single student now would be more than what was paid for three students then; if they are to be sent to the same institutions, fees will remain unchanged. Is Kano generating at least three times what was developed during Senator Kwankwaso’s administration, even if other factors were to be constant?

I have friends that had graduated years back from private universities within the country who were also sponsored by the then administration but are unable to serve their country (NYSC) or secure employment with the government because the schools have not issued their original results to them due to inability of the successive administration to complete their payments. A relative of mine could only graduate from India because her father paid her outstanding fees.

I have heard different appeals from students sent to different countries but later abandoned after Kwankwaso’s tenure. Wouldn’t it be better to investigate and ensure all those previously sponsored thoroughly have successfully graduated and issued their original results and then devise a sustainable plan for similar future interventions even if it is to be continued?

The Kwankwaso administration established more than 20 different institutes, none of which are currently functioning. I am glad; HE Abba Kabir Yusuf had, among his first acts in government, visited the Reformatory Institute, Kiru and given directives for its revival, among others. To borrow the title of Prof. Isa Ali Pantami’s recent book, Skills Rather than Just Degrees, re-establishing these institutions will allow even those who have already acquired degrees to further polish them with relevant skills. Reviving them will certainly gulf millions if not billions. All other stages of education at the state are currently requiring urgent attention.

Recent pictures from the once glorious Science and Technical Schools Board schools are disturbing. Bringing back these institutes, Technical Schools; Schools for Arabic Studies; Adult and Nomadic schools, without doubt, are better avenues to invest rather than foreign scholarships.

Again, as an alternative to foreign scholarships, why not invest the money in needed infrastructures in our universities, get them the latest equipment and employ on contract foreign scholars while giving them specific targets to train a certain number of masters and PhD students? With that, a considerably greater number of students would benefit, meaning more research output, recognition, and higher ranking of the state universities and might even attract foreign students or grants.

Lastly and more importantly, there is a saying, thus, “Teach a man to fish rather than give him a fish”. Some months back, just before the elections, a friend of mine who graduated with a first-class degree from Bayero University, Kano, and a distinction during his masters at a university in India sponsored by the Kwankwasiyya Foundation appealed to his followers on Twitter to vote for the NNPP, at least so he and of course, others could further their studies once more, abroad. For him, it would be a PhD. There are currently multiple scholarship opportunities, such as the PTDF, especially for students with excellent results. There are even more opportunities from several universities, including some of the best universities in the world. In almost every instance, those who get such opportunities from Nigeria are usually from the southern part of the country, who are more informed and enlightened in aspects like this.

An association, Arewa Youth Mentorship Forum, comprising mainly academics that secured foreign scholarships, is mentoring the younger ones from the North. Luckily, many succeeded in securing scholarships for both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I came across a post on their Telegram group earlier this week where they provided a list of universities in the US that offer scholarships to even second-class lower and third-class graduates. If second-class and third-class graduates could get foreign scholarships, why should scarce resources be expended on sending those who could easily get such scholarships to institutions that even the government could probably not afford to send them?

If the Kano state government can utilise these opportunities and provide an avenue for these graduates to be mentored, trained and guided on securing foreign scholarships, more students would benefit. In contrast, the government can invest the scholarship money in other areas requiring more urgent attention.

Mahmud Aminu Dambazau can be contacted via madambazau@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Federal High Court in Kano state has ordered the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and other respondents to jointly pay two brothers the sum of one million naira each for attempting to demolish their properties at Salanta quarters.

In a court sitting on Friday, Justice Simon Amobeda described the attempt by the state government and its agents as an infringement to the applicants right to own immovable property as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.

Justice Amobeda stated that the intrusion to the applicants’ properties around 11pm on 14th June, 2023, in an attempt to carry out demolition is clearly infringement to their private and family life as enshrined by the constitution.

He stated, “The Respondents are also ordered to remove the red signing marked: 14th June,/KN/ KNUPDA made by their staff or Agents on the Wall of the Applicant’s Properties situated at Salanta and to repaint the wall to the satisfaction of all respondents.”

Barrister Bashir Ibrahim, who filed the suit on behalf of the applicants, applauded the court judgement and described it as a landmark for protection of human rights.

However, also speaking with the journalists after the judgement, counsel to Kano State Government and other respondents, Barrister Musa Dahuru Muhd, said they would study the judgement and advise the Government on the next step.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Govenor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has declared tomorrow Wednesday as a work-free day in commemoration of the 1445 Islamic new year.

A statement by the Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, disclosed this on Tuesday.

The statement read in part ‘’The Governor who congratulated Muslims around the world on the dawn of the new Islamic year, enjoined the civil servants and the people in the state to pray for peace and tranquility as well as economic development of our dear state and the country at large.’’

According to Dantiye, the govenor also called on the good people of Kano state to live in accordance with the teachings of prophet Muhammad (SAW).

He added that, “The Governor also called on people to live their lives based on the teachings of Islam and practice the virtues of kindness, love and tolerance as exemplified by our Holy prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.”