Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

I have never seen the devil. In fact, my assumption is mortals do not get a chance to have a one-on-one chat with him. However, sometimes, I wish I could see him – even if it is only to call in a conversation. See, he’s misguided from the old and young, men and women, rich and poor, from all strata of life and social circles. Hence I wish it were possible to call him to order – you can imagine us sitting him down and telling him point-blank something like: “hey dude, you’ve caused enough havoc in this world, so leave us be, or some similar stuff”. But that is just on a lighter mode.

On a serious note, sometimes, we are quick to heap every blame for our wrongdoings on the devil. However, there are those of us who are headstrong, those who, if given a chance, could beat the devil at his turf when it comes to misleading people. We all witnessed a similar scenario this weekend when a united group of Kano Islamic Scholars took on M. Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara in a debate organised by the Kano State Government to put to bed some spurious claims Abduljabbar made against the Person of the Prophet (SAW) while making reference to some Hadith.

For the non-Muslims who could be reading this, I would like to explain that Islamic Jurisprudence is premised on four sources, and it is from there, the Shari’a (Islamic law) takes its root. They are:1- The Qur’an, which is the Holy Book revealed to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W); 2- Hadith, which are the sayings and deeds of the Holy Prophet, and that which met his silent approval; 3 – The Ijma’, which is the consensus of opinions of Islamic scholars on issues; 4 – The Qiyas, which encapsulates all that which sits right on the conscience.

 
From goings-on, what Abduljabbar is (was?) challenging borders on the authenticity of some Hadith. However, in the process, he ends up violating every right-thinking Muslim by making some unsavoury and disrespectful statements regarding the person of the Prophet and his companions. I have never taken out time to really listen to him outside the “gaba-gadi” rant he was famous for. So when the audio clips were played during the debate, like most Muslims, I was hurt and disgusted by his utterances, the sheer abundance with which he makes the claims, with mirth and confidence is belittling. Those utterances were abusive to all Muslims with a conscience. 

On this note, we must commend Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR, Khadimul Islam, the Governor of Kano State, who made the debate possible, and through it, made the Muslim Ummah a united family. Those young gentlemen and scholars who participated in the discussion, despite specific ideological differences, united in protecting the sanctity of the religion and the honour of the Prophet. May Allah reward you for your service to Islam. Every right-thinking Muslim, globally, should be proud of what you have done. 

As for the Government of Kano State, I’d say this is a significant breakthrough. Our Governor, the Khadimul Islam, stood in for us using wisdom and skill; the debate was organised down to every detail, security was more than adequate, especially for the participants, etc. But the most significant victory for the Governor is that the people appreciate this act of service to religion and humanity.  

To M. Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, who is in fact the son of the late leader of the Kadiriyya movement, I hope this is a turning point for him. I hope this puts a stop to his skewed, misleading, contentious sermons. May Allah forgive him and us. May all our ailments heal. May our society be more prosperous. May Allah enrich our leaders with foresight. 
Masha Allahu la quwwata illa billah. 

Hajiya Binta Spikin is a Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Kano State. She can be contacted via bintaspikin@gmail.com.

Adamu speaking at the Coronation Lecture of his highness, the emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, which Kano Emirate Council organized in conjunction with the Bayero University, Kano held at the Convocation Arena of BUK on Thursday, July 1, 2021.

While delivering his paper titled “Kano Emirate: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu argued that “Of all the grand emirates of northern Nigeria, none has the spectacular and expansive history and cultural anthropology recorded like the emirate, now the emirates of old Kano.”

In the historiography of Kano, Adamu traced that “Kano was founded in the 7th century by a group of wandering blacksmith seeking for iron ore from Gaya Town.” The versatile scholar used the typology of urban cultures developed by Fox (1977).

Adamu classified Kano as a ritual city, administrative city, mercantile city, scholastic city, colonial city, industrial city, and a bustling hub. He reiterated that it maintains the famous cultural jingle “Kano ko da me ka zo an fi ka”, loosely meaning: Kano is simply the best. 

Despite its greatness, Adamu lamented the increase in crimes and other social vices in Kano, adding that “these are the characteristics of any prosperous urban state.”

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, said that it was a privilege to choose the University to host this maiden lecture. “It was a wise decision to introduce a public lecture into the activities of the coronation as it signals [a] new archetype in the affairs of Kano Emirate Council.”

Abbas commended the decision of the Kano State Government to formalize the Coronation of Sarkin Kano as that “demonstrates love and commitment towards ensuring a stable society and hopes Sarki Aminu Ado will use this opportunity to move Kano and the traditional institution to greater heights.”

Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, reminded the audience of the significance of traditional leaders as the custodian of cultural heritage. 

In his remark, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr Aminu Ado Bayero, the emir of Kano and the 15th Fulani ruling amir, described the relationship between Kano Emirate and Bayero University as that of “hanta da jini” [blood and liver]. Being a former student of Bayero University, mass communication programme, Sarki Aminu was delighted to see his former teacher, Prof. Cecil Blake, in the audience. 

In his speech, the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said the title of the paper presented by Prof. Adamu “is apt.” Ganduje expressed happiness with the current peace in Kano State when many northern states are fighting insecurity. 

The event was attended by many politicians, academics, business people, traditional and religious leaders from and outside Kano State.