Kano State

By Anas Abbas

Residents of some areas in Kano State are sounding alarm over a severe mosquito infestation linked to rampant refuse accumulation.

The situation has raised public health concerns, particularly regarding the rising cases of malaria, a disease predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes.

Situation on ground

In several neighborhoods, stagnant water and heaps of garbage have created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Local residents report an alarming increase in mosquito populations, which they believe is directly contributing to a surge in malaria cases.

Residents’ Concerns

Local residents have voiced their frustrations regarding the government’s failure to address this growing health crisis. They highlight that the absence of mosquito control initiatives, such as spraying insecticides and promoting sanitation, has allowed mosquito populations to flourish.

“We see mosquitoes everywhere, and they are the main cause of malaria in our community,” lamented Khadija Umar. “The government needs to take action before more lives are lost.”

“We are overwhelmed by mosquitoes, and many of us are falling ill with malaria,” Amina Yusuf, a resident of Danrimi area. “We need immediate help from the government.”

The lack of effective waste management and sanitation services in these communities have exacerbated the problem. Many families are struggling to cope with the health implications, with some reporting multiple cases of malaria within their households. “It’s heartbreaking to see our loved ones suffer because of something that can be prevented,” lamented Saad musa.

The call for government action

Residents are calling on the Kano State government to take urgent action.

They are demanding the implementation of mosquito control initiatives, including regular insecticide spraying and improved waste management practices.

Additionally, public health campaigns aimed at educating the community about malaria prevention are seen as essential steps toward tackling this growing crisis.

Health expert warns that without immediate intervention, the situation could worsen, leading to further health complications for vulnerable populations.

Usman Sani Sa’id, a health practitioner, is urging the government to prioritize initiatives that educate communities on mosquito eradication and distribute mosquito nets.

“Malaria disproportionately affects developing countries, with poor hygiene being a significant contributor. However, when communities maintain cleanliness by sweeping homes and disposing of sewage, mosquitoes are less likely to thrive,” he emphasizes.

Sa’id, highlighted the necessity of community education, asserting, “It is imperative that we raise awareness about malaria prevention. The government must adopt measures such as spraying insecticides and implementing other preventive strategies to safeguard the health and lives of our residents.” His passionate plea underscores the urgent need for a collaborative effort in combating malaria and enhancing public health.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, PhD, FNSE, National Leader of the NNPP, welcomed Nigeria’s top political dignitaries to Kano for his beloved daughter’s wedding.

The illustrious event, held under the serene ambience of Kano’s cultural heritage, saw the presence of Kano State Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf joined hands with his mentor and received many prominent leaders. Among them were Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, CON, former Governor of Zamfara State; Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi; and His Excellency Adamu Aliero, former Governor of Kebbi State.

Social media commentators praise the politicians’ display of unity. Others add that the occasion transcends political affiliations, bringing together leaders from diverse backgrounds to celebrate a union rooted in love and tradition. The wedding symbolises more than just a family milestone—it has become a testament to the power of unity, respect, and collaboration in Nigeria’s political sphere.

The event was a magnificent display of cultural pride and leadership, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees and further solidifying Sen. Kwankwaso’s role as a unifying figure in the nation.

By Muhammad Ahmad Iliasu.

In May 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a sum of ₦3.76 billion as augmentation for the existing and ongoing expansion and completion of the Ɓagwai Irrigation Project on Watari Dam in the Ɓagwai local government area of Kano state.

The project was awarded to Messrs Ɗantata and Sawoe Construction Company Limited, mobilised in 2006 for an initial period of two years. The scope of work was a special irrigation scheme involving 872 hectares. The contract had been ongoing but ran into many problems and was suspended at some points due to lack of funding. Thus, the audit and seeking ₦3.76 billion augmentation bring the new contract sum to ₦9.2 billion from ₦5.4 billion, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT, with an additional completion period of 24 months plus another 12 months liability period.

Additionally, the then Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Sulaiman Adamu, told State House correspondents after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, “We hope that these projects will be implemented in earnest and hopefully, we will be able to get them completed by 2023 for the overall benefit of the people.’’

Unfortunately, as of today, November 10, 2024, the project has not progressed further and has been declared suspended by those who have close contact with the contractors, despite the open revelations made by the former Minister of Water Resources in 2021.

Revealed in a WhatsApp conversation between a stakeholder in the Ɗantata and Sawoe company and one of the farmers desperately praying for when the project will be revisited and completed, the reason for the suspension of the irrigation project in Ɓagwai is the unprecedented instability in exchange rates.

In a fresh setback encountered by the Ɓagwai irrigation project once again, the augmentation, the stakeholder said, was approved when ₦398 was approximately exchanged for $1. But since then, the rate has astronomically risen to ₦448 for $1 in 2022, ₦638 for $1 in 2023, and ₦1,724 for $1 in 2024, respectively. The worsening of the local currency is the single most determining factor between the project and any identifiable progress. If any activity were to resume, the federal government had to revise the audit and account for the unprecedented change in the project cost.

Meanwhile, as the project hits another roadblock, the hardworking farmers, who might not understand the causes frustrating their industry, have grown severely disturbed by their inability to use their farmlands, which are the construction site of a long-suspended project. Many are subsistence farmers who rely on the place to feed their families. Another massive number of farmers rely on the place to make a living.

The anticipation of the continuation of the project hindered most of the farmers from cultivating the farmlands because they didn’t know when the project would resume, and they feared having their season interrupted. The condition of the farmlands, as caused by the start of the suspended canalisation, has rendered most of it uncultivable.

Most farmers have grown confused and fear that the Watari Dam Renovation project in Ɓagwai by the Kano State Government in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank, has taken the spotlight away from the Federal Government’s expansion of the irrigation sectors. The project has also misled stakeholders into thinking it is ongoing,when indeed it is far from being so. And they’re right to be concerned.

The euphoria surrounding the Watari Dam Renovation was overflogged during the 2023 election campaigns and gubernatorial debates. Unintentionally, this distracted the public from the real ghost in the machine: very few people knew that the projects were separate and dissimilar.

The Kano State’s collaboration with Islamic Development Bank targets renovation of the Watari Dam, servicing the canals, and taking water to the farmlands. The Federal Government’s expansion targets increasing the irrigation sectors from six to eight: Sector One has 160 hectares, Sector Two has 168 hectares, Sector Three has 217 hectares, Sector Four has 72 hectares, Sector Five has 273 hectares, and Sector Eight has 73 hectares have all been completed.

It is Sector Six, which has 257 hectares, and Sector Seven, which has 343, whose work has sadly been suspended. These are scattered into meters owned by beleaguered subsistence farmers and small-scale producers. A group of people are so determined and hardworking that they get out of their skin to produce an incredible quantity of agricultural output.

Each hectare is estimated to produce 2.2 tons of maize or 3 tons of rice per farming season, and the irrigation system allows for four farming seasons annually. The monetary value of the agricultural output, assuming each hectare produces maize throughout the year, stands at ₦3.168 billion. And if all the hectares produce rice throughout the year, the estimate stands at ₦4.3 billion — which is a yield that’s far higher than what’s required to complete the project, all of which is being lost because the project hasn’t been completed, and worse yet, suspended.

When completed, the project’s multiplier effect will cut across revenue generation, job creation, stimulation of the rural economy, food production, poultry and cattle herding, stimulation of rural infrastructure, and discouraging the rampant rural-urban migration.

In the end, it certainly aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda that is focused on diversification of the economy and revenue generation, among others, through domestic production and self-sufficiency in food production, to revise, revisit, and ensure spinal projects like the suspended Ɓagwai Irrigation Project are completed. Failure to do that will not only leave beleaguered farmers in a desperate state but also mean a project of national importance is left to rot away without remorse for the massive taxpayer resources invested in it already.

I’m very confident that such can never be the wish of the government under the watch of the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governor of Kano State, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Atiku Bagudu, and the senator representing Kano North in the Red Chamber, who doubles as the Deputy Senate President, Hon. Barau I. Jibrin CFR, the member representing Ɓagwai and Shanono in the Green Chamber, Hon. Yusuf Badau, and the member representing Ɓagwai and Shanono in State House of Assembly, Hon. Halilu Ibrahim Kundila.

MA Iliasu is an economist writing from Kano. He can be reached via muhada102@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam

The crisis within Kano’s ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has intensified as Governor Abba Yusuf reportedly distances himself from party leader and political mentor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

According to some reports, the governor has allegedly ignored Kwankwaso’s calls and skipped meetings, indicating a potential split.

Supporters of Yusuf have launched the slogan “Abba Tsaya da Kafarka” (Abba, stand on your feet), encouraging him to govern independently.

The Daily Reality learned that this internal rift stems partly from Kwankwaso’s alleged control over local government appointments without the governor’s input, leading Yusuf to eventually dismiss Kwankwaso-appointed caretaker chairmen in September.

Kwankwaso’s influence over the party has also faced challenges in court; recently, an Abia State High Court recognized Boniface Aniebonam as the party’s leader.

Some high-ranking NNPP officials, including State Secretary Baffa Bichi and several Kano lawmakers, reportedly support Yusuf’s autonomy and may be exploring alliances with the ruling APC.

The movement has gained traction, with some party members openly pledging loyalty to Yusuf and distancing themselves from Kwankwasiyya, Kwankwaso’s political movement.

By: Habibu Maaruf Abdu 

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, coinciding with World Polio Day, UNICEF launched the ‘No More Zero Dose’ immunisation song across Nigeria and other West and Central African countries. 

The Kano state launch took place at Tahir Guest Palace, attended by government officials, Kannywood members, social media influencers, and journalists from Jigawa and Katsina states.

According to Mr. Rahama R.M. Farah, chief of UNICEF’s Kano field office, the event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of immunisation, especially for children under five. 

“We have gathered this morning to raise awareness on the importance of Immunization, which remains the most cost-effective intervention to confront vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in children under 5 years of age…”

“Thank you for joining us this morning to launch the Immunization Song aptly entitled, No More Zero Dose!” He added 

The No More Zero Dose song highlights the urgent need to boost immunisation coverage in West and Central Africa, a region with the lowest vaccination rates in the world. This reality has led to multiple outbreaks of preventable diseases such as diphtheria, measles, polio, yellow fever, and cerebrospinal meningitis in the region.

The song features Spyro, Ali Nuhu, other top music stars, and UNICEF Champions from Mali, Chad, Cameroon, and Guinea. 

A media dialogue on immunisation followed the song’s launch. UNICEF Communication specialist Samuel Kaalu then mobilised caregivers for the upcoming immunisation campaign in November, encouraging them to amplify the message.

By Uzair Adam 

A Federal High Court in Kano has disqualified Prof. Sani Lawan Malumfashi as Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) due to his affiliation with a political party. 

Justice Simon Amobeda delivered the ruling following a suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The court also disqualified five other members of KANSIEC—Anas Muhammad Mustapha, Mukhtar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabir Jibril Zakirai, and Amina Inuwa Fagge—on similar grounds. 

According to the court, they are active members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), making them unqualified for their roles under the Nigerian Constitution and the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission Law.

Justice Amobeda further ordered that KANSIEC must cease all activities related to the upcoming 2024 Local Government Election in Kano State until a properly constituted commission is appointed in accordance with the law. 

This includes halting the issuance of election guidelines, candidate screenings, and the sale of nomination forms, all of which were declared null and void.

Additionally, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold all electoral materials, including the voter register, from KANSIEC until the commission is legally restructured.

The ruling emphasizes that any actions taken by KANSIEC in preparation for the 2024 Local Government Election are invalid unless qualified individuals are appointed to the commission.

By Abbas Datti

As citizens of Kano State, we have witnessed the power of effective leadership in fostering youth empowerment and curbing youth restiveness. Under the fair representation of former House of Representatives Member, Rt Hon Aminu Sulaiman Goro of Fagge Federal Constituency, there was a clear commitment to improving the lives of young people. 

We call on the incumbent Fagge House of Representatives Member, Barr. Muhammad Bello Shehu to step up and continue the vital work that his predecessor began. There is an urgent need to reinvigorate efforts to fight youth restiveness through job creation, vocational training, and mentorship programs. 

Similarly, women must be given the tools and opportunities to succeed through economic empowerment initiatives, access to loans, and business development programs.

Ex-Rep Aminu Sulaiman Goro was a youth and women’s empowerment champion, leaving behind a legacy of initiatives that addressed the pressing needs of both groups. Through programs aimed at reducing unemployment, promoting skill acquisition, and empowering women economically, he provided pathways to prosperity for many, contributing to a more stable and thriving environment.

Since the end of Aminu Sulaiman Goro’s tenure, the challenges of youth restiveness and the marginalisation of women have resurfaced with greater intensity. Many of our young people are again feeling the weight of unemployment and lack of opportunities, leading to increased frustration and social unrest. Therefore, we call on Barr. M. B. Shehu to emulate the footsteps of his predecessor by implementing impactful youth empowerment initiatives and women empowerment programmes 

M. B. Shehu needs to focus on job creation, scholarship, and skill-building programs tailored specifically for young people. These efforts can reduce youth restiveness and position the younger generation as crucial contributors to economic progress, instilling a sense of hope and optimism in our community.

The well-being of our youth and women is central to the prosperity and peace of the Fagge Federal Constituency. As a community, we urge M.B. Shehu to prioritise these issues and make youth and women’s empowerment a central part of his legislative agenda. It’s our collective responsibility to ensure that the most vulnerable are given the support they need to thrive. 

Abbas Datti wrote from Kano via comradeabbasdatti@gmail.com.

By Abdulrazak Abdulrauf Mudi

No words can truly capture the bond between brothers, but for me, my younger brother was more than just a family member; he was my closest companion, a light in our home, and someone who always had a smile for everyone. Full of life and optimism, he never failed to see the good in others, even when it wasn’t deserved.

Sadly, one of his closest friends since childhood, someone he grew up with and trusted, would eventually be the cause of an unimaginable tragedy – a grand betrayal. It was a life cut too short.

Aminu Abdulrauf was born in Rugu-Rugu in 1999, a small community in Tudun Wada Local Government Area of Kano state. He was a kind, hardworking, and respectful young man loved by everyone in our family and known for his joviality.

Aminu wasn’t just a brother to me; he was inspirational. He led a peaceful, trouble-free life and enjoyed spending time with his friends, who he considered family.

Aminu completed his education at Rugu-rugu Central Primary School and graduated from Government Senior Secondary School Faskar Ma’aaji in 2018. From all indications, Aminu’s future seemed bright. He had built a house and was preparing for his marriage. But everything changed all of a sudden. 

One fateful Monday afternoon in 2022, around 2:30 pm – a typical afternoon for Aminu, who was sitting with his friends, chatting and playing at their usual meeting point just opposite my house, he borrowed a knife from one of his friends who sold sugarcane, intending to fix a stick he was holding. As he worked on the stick, Mudassir Ashura, one of their childhood friends, had the other end. In a tragic accident, the knife Aminu was using slipped and cut Mudassir’s hand, leaving a minor injury.

Aminu was horrified at what had happened and immediately tried to help. He offered traditional medicine to stop the bleeding and even pulled out ampicillin from his pocket to provide some first aid. But Mudassir denied any help, instead muttering words of revenge.

Neither Aminu’s friends nor my brother himself took Mudassir’s threat seriously. They thought it was a passing comment born out of frustration.

But Mudassir’s anger wasn’t fleeting, so he rushed home, grabbed a sharp knife, and returned to confront Aminu. Without hesitation, he stabbed Aminu on the right side of his stomach. The air was filled with my brother’s cries for help as blood began to flow rapidly from the wound.

In the chaos, Mudassir fled the scene, leaving Aminu in the pool of his blood and gasping for breath.

We rushed Aminu to Tudun Wada General Hospital, where he was immediately admitted to the emergency ward. As soon as our father heard the news, he went straight to the Tudun Wada police station and filed a report. Inspector Aminu Shuaibu entertained the case, and an order was given for Mudassir’s immediate arrest.

For two agonising days, we stayed by Aminu’s side at the hospital, praying for his recovery. Despite the tests, treatment, and even the scan to assess the depth of the knife wound, his condition worsened. On Wednesday, he passed away, leaving us shattered and consumed with grief and anger.

The following day, Aminu was buried amidst hearts. We offered prayers in an attempt to find solace in our faith. Our father assigned me the responsibility of following up the case against Mudassir. The authorities charged him with murder,and we spent weeks going back and forth between the police station and state headquarters in Kano.

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this process was how the system treated us. The police demanded money from us to fuel their vehicle to transfer the case, a painful reminder that justice can be costly even in tragedy.

After a week of efforts, the case was finally filed at court number 7 at No Man’s Land, Kano. I met with the court registrar and was informed that we would bring three witnesses to the trial.

When I returned home to update my father and family members, he made a decision that took me by surprise. With a heavy heart, he told me it was enough that no amount of struggle or court proceedings would bring Aminu back to us. He believed we should leave the matter to Almighty Allah, the ultimate judge.

In the end, my brother’s death left a permanent scar, not just in the heart of our family but also in the hearts of all who knew him. Aminu’s passing taught us painful lessons about the fragility of life, the unpredictability of those we called friends, and the dark consequences of unchecked anger.

As much as we wanted justice, my father’s decision to leave everything in the hands of Allah reminded me of the importance of faith and trust in divine wisdom, even in the face of heart-wrenching tragedy.

Abdulrazak Abdulrauf Mudi wrote from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano.

By Anwar Usman

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has announced the suspension of the State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Baffa Bichi, and the Commissioner of transportation, Muhammad Diggol.

The State party Chairman, Hashim Sulaiman Dungurawa, confirmed this to journalists late Monday.

He said the two people were suspended over disloyalty and abuse of power and creating unnecessary tension in the party.

“We are here by informing the public today that we have suspended the SSG Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and the commissioner of transportation, Muhammad Diggol over abuse of power, office and disloyalty to the party.

“We appreciate the leadership of the party from their wards and the Local Government confirmed to us. They are all from Bichi north where they all came from for bringing the issue to us in written.

“Serving as the leaders of the party, we deliberated and consider that this is the best decision to take until we are done investigation on the issue.”

Reports has it that there is a growing crisis in the Bichi area of the NNPP between the stakeholders in the party.

By Khaleed Suleiman Abdul

We thank Allah for a life well spent. Indeed, from Allah we come, and to him we shall return. Professor Musa Abdu Auyo’s death is undoubtedly one of the few transitions that shocked Bayero University Kano and the entire academic circle within and outside Nigeria. 

The Comrade, as we fondly called him, was an unrepentant freedom fighter and social justice crusader. His uncommon spirit of tolerance and forgiveness earned him popularity among different classes of people. In fact, he is a man of the people, and the turnout of people from all walks of life who paid their last respects during his internment testified to that.

My first close encounter with him was when he and a few other individuals helped me secure admission into Bayero University. That was about three decades ago, 1993 – 1994, to be precise. From then on, the relationship knew no boundary and continued to wax stronger until his death.

I always recall with joy how he facilitated the securing of admission for ten qualified candidates in different departments and faculties whose credentials were forwarded to him by my humble self.

His simplicity and sense of accommodation enabled him to act or respond with dispatch to any request I put before him, particularly on student admission or counselling issues.

He once said, “As a lecturer, I don’t have much financially to give, but when it comes to securing admission or imparting knowledge to people, I must do my best”.

Comrade was always ready and willing to help you irrespective of your tribe, religion, class, or age. He believed that society must change positively through education and the creation of public awareness. 

His exemplary, simple lifestyle contributed immensely to our conduct. 

He taught us the spirit of accountability, answerability, patriotism, and sympathy in the common person.

The late academic guru was bereaved by two wives and nine blessed and educated children. One of them is completing her PhD, and others have or are doing their master’s degree and undergraduate programs in different fields of human endeavour. May God Almighty protect and guide them, ameen.

Professor Musa Auyo graduated in library and information sciences from the prestigious Bayero University Kano, received a master’s degree in the same field from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and received a PhD from BUK. He has also been a professor from the same institution lately.

He was the Head of the Department of Library and Information Sciences, Dean of the faculty of education, Bayero University librarian, one-time pioneer librarian at Federal University Kafin Hausa, and, very recently, chairman of the Board College of Education, Gumel, Jigawa State.

Despite all these academic responsibilities, the late professor still found time to belong to associations within and outside the university walls. 

I remember as a student, whenever a symposium was organised, and comrade Auyo and the likes of Prof. Ibrahim Bello-Kano (IBK), late Auwalu Umar, and Auwalu Kawu of sociology were to make a presentation, the theatre always appeared too small to accommodate the mammoth crowd of students anxious to hear words of wisdom from the effervescent cum erudite scholar.

His belief in public education and enlightenment led him to champion the establishment of the Auyo Youth Association (AYA), Hadejia Youth Organization, and Literacy Club Society of Bayero University (LICSOBUK) in which I worked closely with him to champion the cause but was short-lived immediately after we graduated.

He was a great pillar, a beacon who nurtured and groomed students and intellectuals within and outside the campus. Some of his students today are professors doing well in their chosen professions. They include professors Abbas Mai Dabino and Baffa Abubakar, to mention a few.

I recall with pride how the late Professor Auyo, as a crusader of social justice and other sound-minded intellectuals in the Senate, saved many students from rustication for merely embarking on a lack of electricity and water protest in the new campus, where the Vice Chancellor insisted that the students must be punished. 

However, these noblemen, including the late professor, stood their ground to ensure no student fell prey to victimisation.

In conclusion, filling the vacuum created by your demise will be very difficult. Your contribution to education, community development, social justice, mentoring, and nurturing within the university perimeter and across society will remain indelible in our memory.

We pray to almighty God to grant you the highest level of Jannah, peace, and everlasting Rahma in your grave until we meet and part no more. Alhamdulillahi!

Khaleed Suleiman Abdul (Sardauna of Gwagwarwa) wrote via akhaleed431@gmail.com.