Kano State

By Muhammad Aminu

The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kano Hon. Shehu Wada Sagagi has called on the National Chairman of PDP Dr. Iorchia Ayu to quit his position in the interest of the party.

Hon. Sagagi made the call today during a press briefing in Kano.

Hon. Sagagi said for peace, unity and giving a sense of belonging to PDP members from the southern part of the country, the national chairman should pave way for a southerner to replace him.

“In the interest of unity and success of our party, I would like to call on the national chairman of our party Dr. Iorchia Ayu to please honour his promise that he earlier did, that in case a Northerner emerged as a flagbearer of the party, he promised to resign.

“So I will like him to toe the path of honour so that unity returns to the party, so that Atiku Abubakar will be successful in the 2023 election because the Southerners in our party need to be given sense of belonging,” he said.

The PDP Chairman further said: “A situation where the national Chairman is from the North, Chairman of Board of Trustees is from the North, the Chairman PDP Governors Forum is from the North and the presidential candidate is also from the North, I think there is no sense of fairness.”

Hon. Sagagi emphasised that unity and success of the party should be the priority while the Chairman should consider his resignation as a necessary sacrifice for the PDP.

“I call on Dr. Ayu, as a statesman, to honour his promise and consider it as a sacrifice he should make for the party to move forward. And So, his resignation will go a long way in forging unity in the party so that at least a southerner should emerge as a National Chairman of the party for unity to prevail and peace will return to the party.

“And we promise to be law-abiding members of the party and we will heavily campaign for our presidential candidate Alh Atiku Abubakar to win the forthcoming 2023 general election,” he added.

The Chairman further dispelled the rumour that they are hobnobbing with other political parties and candidates other than PDP.

He added: “On behalf of the Kano State Executive Committee (SEC), I dispel the rumour that we have any association with any political party or candidate. Our party still remains people’s Democratic Party PDP and we are committed to its success at all levels.

“We call on the party SEC in the State and our governorship candidate to engage in aggressive Party membership drive in all the wards and 44 local governments in the Kano State for the success of the party in 2023.”

Hon. Sagagi also appealed to aggrieved members of the party to sheath their swords and join hands with them for the success of the PDP.

“We would like to use this medium to call on all aggrieved members of the party to sheath their sword to come and let’s join hands to work together as a party so that victory is ours in 2023.”

He commended SEC and party members in the State on the successful primaries. He congratulate all candidates who emerged successful after the primaries at the state and national levels.

“I congratulate the national leadership of the PDP for the successful national convention. I applauded the Election committee together with all our party men and women in Kano State for their dedication and commitment.”

By Muhammad Aminu

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 5 armed robbery suspects terrorising some parts of the State.

The suspects were said to have specialised in breaking into people’s residences in Tishama Hotoro Quarters where they operated as a syndicate.

Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in a statement sent to The Daily Reality said the suspects were arrested after an investigation following complaints by the residents.

According to Kiyawa, four suspects were arrested while another suspect who received stolen items was also apprehended.

The statement read: “Between June and July 2022, there was public outcry at Tishama Hotoro Quarters Kano on the activities of a syndicate of hoodlums that specialized in House Breaking and Armed Robbery. One Kabiru Tukur, ‘m’, of Tishama Hotoro Quarters Kano, further complained that the syndicate of four went to his residence twice and robbed him of his Plasma TV and Four Mobile Phones. Four-Armed Robbery cases were recorded in the area with the same “modus operandi”.

“On receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, fsi raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Mansur Idris, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Hotoro Division to arrest the culprits. The team immediately swung into action.”

“Sustained efforts coupled with intelligence-led surveillance patrol led to the arrest of all the syndicate members as follows:-

i. Idris Mohammed, ‘m’, 19 years old,

ii. Nasiru Abdulhamid, ‘m’, 24 years old,

iii. Sunusi Ibrahim, ‘m’, 27 years old,

iv. Bashir Yunusa, ‘m’, 25 years old, All of Tishama, Hotoro Quarters Kano.

“On investigation, the suspects confessed to all the Armed Robberies committed in the area. A discreet Investigation conducted by a team of Detectives at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department led by CSP Ahmed Abdullahi resulted in the arrest of the receiver, Rabi’u Sani, ‘m’, 32 years old of Tishama, Hotoro Quarters Kano. Four Plasma TV and Eleven Mobile Phones were recovered from them.”

The Police would charge the suspects to Court and thorough investigation.

He called on the general public to continue to support the Nigeria Police in trying to protect the lives and properties of residents of the State.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Over 3.1 million children would receive supplements against malaria, while 2.8 million children would be dewormed, the Kano state commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, said.

The Commissioner disclosed that there would be childhood immunization for about 68,135 children, adding that antenatal services would also be provided.

Tsanyawa stated this during a media briefing ahead of the exercise, which begins on Tuesday, July 5, 2022.

He noted that the Kano State Government had identified about 12 million children to receive the seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention for July to October 2022 in the 44 government areas of the state.

The Daily Reality learned that the previous exercise conducted in January 2022 recorded huge success with Vitamin A coverage of more than 88 per cent.

In his words, Tsanyawa added, “the aim was to prevent uncomplicated and similar proportion of severe malaria incidences amongst the age group.”

“We are integrating the two exercises, although the MNCHW is a week-long event conducted twice every year.”

“It has a high impact on low-cost interventions offered to pregnant women and children below the age of five to increase coverage level of preventive and curative health indicators,” Tsanyawa stated.

By Hassan Auwalu Muhamad

Former Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University Of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, has distributed textbooks to Ado Yola Memorial Special Primary School pupils in Tudun Madatai, in Kano Municipal LGA of Kano State.

Adamu, who has dual professorships in Education Sciences and Media and Cultural Communications, graduated from the same school in 1968.

Adamu said he distributed the books because Madatai Primary School was the foundation of his life — a driving force to advance his education that led him to attain two professorships from Bayero University, Kano, in 1997 and 2012.

In an attempt to encourage and support the young pupils to attain higher academic feats, and excellence, he thus distributed books.

The Head Teacher of the school, Mallam Abdulkadir Bature, expressed his appreciation and gratitude. He added that he had never been happier during his tenure as a Head Teacher of the primary school like today.

He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the pupils and the entire staff members of Madatai Primary School.

More than 3,000 books were distributed at the school’s premises in the presence of the head of the Parents-Teachers Association, Ward Head of Sharfadi quarters, Mallam Ibrahim Auwal Uba and the Head of Parents of the Kano students of Kano Municipal LGA.

By Muhammad Aminu 

Youths have been advised to eschew hate speech and use new media constructively for peacebuilding and sustaining peace and peaceful coexistence in their communities.

A communication expert and media scholar, Dr Ruqayya Yusuf Aliyu, gave the advice while engaging youths in a Critical Knowledge Production Dialogue Organised by the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on Wednesday.

Dr Ruqayya, who discussed the Roles of Youths in Peace Building From a Communication Perspective, said youths play active roles in conflict and peacebuilding situations due to their agility and activeness.

She reminded the youths that peace and peaceful coexistence are the bedrock for the development of any society.

“Youths can be used for good or bad, peace or violence; hence it’s imperative that they know the importance of their roles in peacebuilding in their communities.

“Although conflict is inevitable in any society, managing it matters most in escalating or de-escalating the situation, ” she added.

“You can be partisan, but avoid hate speech and use new media positively.

According to her, communication is relevant in peace building through mobilisation, advocacy, persuasion and behaviour change among the youths.

In another development, CITAD, in collaboration with eTrash2Cash, has trained 220 low-income women on plastic waste entrepreneurship in Bauchi.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of eTrash2Cash Abdullahi Salisu said the participants were trained to convert plastic waste into weaved bags, shoes, bangles, and flower vases, among others.

He said:” Items made from these wastes seem so original and authentic that one cannot tell if they are made from the “wastes” we improperly dispose of. Perhaps, one of the main reasons why so much keen interest is evident in the faces of the women beneficiaries.”

Some of the beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the opportunity. 

Amina Bello and Hafsat Adamu said their newly acquired skills would enhance their living standard.

Hafsatu Adamu, while thanking the training organisers, said she benefitted greatly and had never known wastes could become useful in this way. “I’m proud to be a waste champion, and I will step down the training to my siblings, friends and immediate dependents,” she added.

According to Abdullahi Salisu, plans are underway to ensure that the trained women are continuously engaged and supported to keep cleaning the environment and support others to improve their lives and livelihoods.

Salisu said: “This social responsibility is continuous. It is non-stop. Other stakeholders have already expressed their interest to keep the impact going. We hope to keep engaging these beneficiaries through an innovation centre that will further help them in other areas of business development and entrepreneurship”.

By Muhammad Aminu

A Kano mobile court has on Wednesday convicted MTN and Globacom, two leading telecom companies, alongside banks for defaulting payment of Trade Registration Fees in the state.

The companies failed to settle their outstanding registration fees for operation in Kano State.

A statement from the Kano State Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Solid Minerals, signed by Sa’adatu Sulaiman, added that other convicted companies include Titan Trust Bank, Aso Savings Bank, Veritas Pension and Maersk Shipping Company.

“For failure to pay Kano State Government (through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Solid Minerals) Trade Registration Fees, contrary to section 8,9 punishable under section 14 of the Kano State Trade Registration Law 2014, the statement read.

According to Sa’adatu Sulaiman, the court, presided over by Ibrahim Gwadabe, ordered the companies to ensure settlement of the outstanding fees within two weeks or face closure.

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 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 Muhammad Aminu 

Kano State Police Command has returned seven (7) vehicles stolen from different parts of the State to their rightful owners after thoroughly investigating the suspects.

The Police Command said three other vehicles remain in its custody as nobody advanced any claim.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Kano.

SP Kiyawa noted that the arrest of Odinaka Godwin and two others with nine number plates led to further investigation that unravelled their activities in Kano, which enabled the police to recover ten stolen vehicles.

“In continuation of a case of suspected Motor Vehicles theft, where one Odinaka Godwin, ‘m’, and two others were arrested in possession of nine (9) Pairs of Motor Vehicles number plates, a total of ten (10) Motor Vehicles were so far recovered.”

“The Commissioner of Police had directed that seven (7) of the recovered stolen Motor Vehicles were handed over to owners; whereas, the following Motor Vehicles are yet to be claimed;

i. Toyota Camry LE Motor Vehicle, Golden Colour with Registration Number ADK-885AE, Ekiti 

ii. Toyota RAV4 Motor Vehicle, Black in colour with Registration Number APP-35BP Lagos 

iii. Toyota Camry LE Motor Vehicle, Ash in Colour without Registration Number, he narrated.”

According to Kiyawa, three other suspects were arrested for faking motor documents in the State.

“Discreet investigation also led to the arrest of one Abdulra’uf Olalade, ‘m’, 57 years old Fagge Quarters Kano. His accomplices, Abdullahi Suleman, ‘m’, 52 years old of Kurna Quarters Kano, and Suleman Ibrahim, ‘m’, 57 years old Haye Hotoron Arewa Quarters Kano, were arrested. 

“The suspects confessed to having specialized in producing fake Motor Vehicles Documents, he said

The Police spokesman further explained that the suspects would be charged to court after a thorough investigation.

He called on people whose vehicles were stolen with the above description to present themselves at the police public relations unit at Bompai headquarters.

“The discreet investigation is in progress, after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution. 

“Anyone whose Motor Vehicle was stolen and discovered above should report it at the PPRO office, Bompai Police Headquarters Kano, or contact 08168629521, 08105359575.”

While commending residents of Kano for supporting the police, he called on the criminals to desist from their activities or face the full wrath of the law.

Kiyawa further warned the general public against taking laws into their hands.