Kano

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa has advocated the use of mosques as centres for youth rehabilitation, scholarship programmes and other community development initiatives beyond congregational prayers.

Daurawa made the remarks during a sermon at the opening of a newly built mosque in Funtua, Katsina State, on Friday.

He said mosques could play a greater role in addressing social challenges, including drug addiction and other vices among young people, while also supporting educational opportunities and other initiatives that benefit the community.

He further suggested that mosques could contribute to political participation by sponsoring or endorsing candidates during elections.

The cleric’s remarks have highlighted the potential of mosques to serve as centres of worship and platforms for social welfare, education and community engagement.

However, questions remain about why many mosques have yet to adopt such initiatives, particularly when some struggle to adequately support the people responsible for their daily operations.

In a reflection on the issue, a social commentator, Dr. Muhsin Ibrahim, recounted speaking with the muezzin of a major mosque in Kano, who reportedly earns a monthly salary of ₦10,000, reduced to ₦9,500 after bank charges.

The muezzin also shares the money with his assistant, who lives near the mosque and calls worshippers to the Fajr prayer.

The mosque, located near an old, large market in Kano Municipal and surrounded by shops, reportedly struggles to provide adequate remuneration for its staff, raising concerns about its capacity to support wider community initiatives.

Dr. Muhsin argued that imams and muezzins also have families to support and bills to pay, including rent, yet their welfare is often neglected while they are expected to perform their duties consistently.

The reflection called for a reassessment of how mosques are managed, beginning with improved welfare for those who maintain them and extending to broader support for worshippers and community members.

It also stressed that constructing a mosque should not be the end of the effort, noting that maintaining the facility and ensuring it serves the needs of the community are equally important.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reconciled the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Kabir Bichi, following their differences over political matters.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.

The reconciliation meeting, which took place in Abuja in the early hours of Wednesday, lasted for about two hours, according to the statement.

It said the meeting provided an opportunity for Barau and Bichi to discuss their differences and the need to work together for the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Governor Yusuf urged the two politicians and their supporters to put aside their grievances, saying unity was necessary for the success of the party.

He also appealed to members of the two camps to desist from making inflammatory statements and engaging in actions capable of deepening the disagreement.

“Henceforth, I do not expect any of your supporters to come out and abuse one another. We must put a stop to this unnecessary distraction,” the governor was quoted as saying.

Yusuf said political disagreements were part of democratic engagement but should not be allowed to affect the unity and progress of the APC.

He urged the party’s members in Kano to work together for the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the state government and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

The governor also expressed confidence that the reconciliation would strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

The Daily Reality recalls that the relationship between Barau and Bichi had come under strain in recent months, with supporters of the two politicians engaging in exchanges over political differences and allegiances ahead of the 2027 elections.

The disagreement had raised concerns among APC stakeholders in Kano over its possible effect on the party’s preparations for the elections.

The statement said the reconciliation received the endorsement of President Tinubu and had brought an end to the disagreement between the two politicians.

Yusuf also assured the President, the APC national leadership and other stakeholders that the party would work towards winning all elective positions in Kano in 2027.

Speaking separately after the meeting, Barau and Bichi appealed to their supporters to stop actions capable of worsening the crisis within the party.

The two leaders also thanked Governor Yusuf for intervening in the matter and facilitating the reconciliation.

The development is expected to ease tension among supporters of the two politicians as the APC begins preparations for the 2027 elections.

By Uzair Adam

The Village Head of Aujarawar Alkali in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Ahmad Yakubu Ahmad, has reportedly been killed by his abductors.

The Daily Reality recalls that Ahmad was abducted on September 17, 2026, after armed men reportedly invaded the community at night and took him away.

His remains were later discovered in a shallow grave in Danladin Gezawa, according to residents familiar with the incident.

Funeral prayers for the deceased were conducted at about 3pm on Wednesday before his burial.

Musa Garba, a resident of Gezawa, confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists.

Garba alleged that the kidnappers subjected the village head to severe torture, including cutting off one of his legs and tying his hands behind his back.

He said the assailants subsequently buried Ahmad’s remains in a shallow grave, where they were discovered several days later by villagers.

“I attended the funeral prayers today (Wednesday) at around 3pm. The assailants tortured the village head to death by cutting off one of his legs and tying his hands behind him. He was brutalised until he died,” Garba said.

He added that villagers later discovered the shallow grave and raised the alarm.

“The remains were identified by the deceased’s wife. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was later buried as the remains were already decomposing,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Government has allocated plots of land to more than 1,000 party marshals, volunteers and members of community-based support groups as part of efforts to empower young people and provide them with assets to build their future.

The Daily Reality reports that the land allocation ceremony took place on Saturday at the Government House, Kano, with beneficiaries, government officials, party supporters and other stakeholders in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, said the beneficiaries had contributed their time, energy and efforts to their communities and the development of the state, describing the allocation as an opportunity for them to build more secure futures.

The governor, who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Farouk, said the government’s decision to allocate the land was based on the belief that young people should be given opportunities to own assets and become economically productive.

“Today, we are giving you land because land can change the life of a person. It can become a home. It can become a business. It can become security for a family. And with time, it can become wealth that you leave for your children,” he said.

Governor Yusuf urged the beneficiaries to protect and develop their plots, stressing that the allocation should not be regarded merely as a piece of paper but as an opportunity to build something meaningful.

He cautioned them against selling the land, urging them to use it to establish homes, businesses or other productive ventures that could benefit their families.

“Do not waste this opportunity. Do not sell your future cheaply. Make something out of what the Government has given you,” the governor said.

The governor also urged youths in the state to channel their energy towards productive activities and shun violence and unnecessary conflicts.

He called on the beneficiaries to help promote government programmes in their communities, calm tensions and discourage young people from engaging in activities capable of undermining their future.

“Where there is misunderstanding, help people understand. Where there is tension, help calm it down. Where young people are being led in the wrong direction, call them back,” he said.

The governor said the land allocation was part of his administration’s broader development agenda, which includes investments in education, healthcare, roads, water supply, agriculture, power, housing, urban development and youth empowerment.

He said the government would continue to create opportunities for young people, noting that empowerment should go beyond providing temporary financial assistance.

“We want young people to have something to protect, something to develop and something they can proudly call their own,” Yusuf said.

He added that the ultimate objective was to ensure that the beneficiaries turned the allocations into homes, businesses and other productive assets that would contribute to the development of their communities.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Muhammad Umar, said the exercise was part of the state government’s policy of using land as an instrument of empowerment, housing development and economic inclusion.

Umar said the administration had previously allocated land to various categories of beneficiaries, including political appointees, grassroots supporters, polling agents and youths drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state.

He described the latest allocation as a continuation of the government’s effort to give citizens tangible assets around which they could plan their future and improve the economic security of their families.

The commissioner said the economic impact of the allocations would extend beyond the beneficiaries because the development of the plots would create jobs for professionals, artisans and businesses involved in the construction sector.

“When land is allocated and development begins, an entire chain of economic activity follows. Surveyors are engaged. Architects and draftsmen get work. Masons, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders and labourers are employed,” he said.

He added that construction activities would also increase demand for building materials and transportation services while creating opportunities for businesses around the new layouts.

Umar said the government was committed to developing properly planned settlements with roads, drainage systems, schools, health facilities, markets, mosques, open spaces and other basic amenities.

According to him, the aim was to ensure that new settlements were properly planned and capable of supporting economic activities rather than becoming future challenges due to inadequate infrastructure.

The commissioner urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the land and avoid disposing of the allocations carelessly.

He said the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning would continue to support the administration’s efforts to expand land ownership, housing development and planned urban growth across Kano State.

Governor Yusuf said the success of the programme would ultimately be measured not by the number of plots allocated but by what the beneficiaries were able to achieve with them.

“When the history of this programme is written, I do not want people to remember only that we allocated more than one thousand plots. I want them to say that from these allocations came new homes, new businesses, stronger families and more peaceful communities,” he said.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State has emerged as the leading state in Nigeria based on the number of candidates who obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, in the 2026 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The development was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, on behalf of the Kano State Government.

According to the statement, Kano recorded 74,413 candidates who secured at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics, ahead of Lagos State, which placed second with 72,496 candidates, while Oyo came third with 55,543 candidates.

The result marks the second consecutive year Kano has recorded the highest number of candidates meeting the five-credit benchmark, including English Language and Mathematics, after achieving a similar feat in the 2025 NECO examination.

Reacting to the development, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf congratulated the students, teachers, parents and other stakeholders, describing the performance as an indication of the progress being recorded in the state’s education sector.

Governor Yusuf said the back-to-back performance demonstrated that the government’s sustained investment in education was producing measurable outcomes.

He assured residents that his administration would continue to prioritise education through increased funding, improved learning facilities, recruitment and training of teachers, scholarships and support for indigent students.

The governor said the state government spent more than N4.4 billion in 2026 to sponsor candidates for the Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

According to him, the intervention was aimed at removing financial barriers that could prevent students from participating in the examinations and ensuring they sat for the examinations under improved conditions.

Yusuf said the latest NECO performance was part of the broader improvement being recorded by students in the state under his administration.

Education has continued to receive a significant share of Kano State’s budget under the current administration. In 2024, about 29.95 per cent of the state budget was allocated to the sector, while the allocation rose to N168.35 billion, representing 31 per cent, in the 2025 budget.

For 2026, the state allocated N405.35 billion to education out of a total budget of N1.478 trillion, representing about 30 per cent of the overall budget.

The governor said the government’s investment in education extends beyond examination sponsorship to include classroom renovation, recruitment of teachers, provision of learning materials and uniforms, scholarships and other interventions aimed at improving the quality of education.

The statement also highlighted several awards and recognitions received by Governor Yusuf for his administration’s education-related policies.

In 2024, Leadership Newspaper named him Governor of the Year for Education, while New Telegraph recognised him as its Education Development Governor of the Year. The Nigeria Union of Teachers also named him Teachers’ Friendly Governor of the Year in the same year.

In 2025, Blueprint Newspaper recognised Yusuf as Governor of the Year for Education at its national conference in Abuja, while ThisNigeria honoured him as its Courageous Governor of the Year.

The statement further said the administration received education-related recognition internationally in 2026, including an international literacy and learning award and an education spending award attributed to Universal Learning Solution and City University, Paris.

Other recognitions listed in the statement include the Vanguard Governor of the Year Award for Good Governance in 2024, the BusinessDay Governor of the Year Award in 2025 and the African Governor of the Year Award presented by African Leadership Magazine in Casablanca, Morocco.

Yusuf dedicated the latest NECO achievement to the students, teachers, parents and people of Kano State, assuring them that his administration would sustain its investment in the sector.

He said the ultimate objective was to build an education system capable of equipping young people in the state with the knowledge and skills needed for higher education, employment, innovation and leadership.

The governor also referenced the scale of the state’s education system, noting that Kano recorded more than five million schoolchildren in the latest annual school census.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Farmers and herders in Kano State have expressed concern over a possible resurgence of clashes as the 2026 harvest season approaches.

The warning was issued by the state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abdullahi Ali Maibiredi, who said the longstanding dispute between farmers and herders had continued to affect livelihoods and, in some cases, led to destruction of property and loss of lives.

Maibiredi said authorities had yet to provide a lasting solution to the conflict despite its effects on agricultural activities across the state.

“I personally lost about 85 per cent of my crops last year, yet I did not see the necessary action taken to address the problem,” Maibiredi said.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to take preventive measures before the situation worsens and to promote peaceful relations between farmers and herders.

“We are calling on the authorities concerned to intervene and address this problem before it gets worse, especially now that we are entering the harvest period,” he said.

The chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Kano State, retired Captain Abdullahi Bakoji, also acknowledged the concern and said the association had warned its members about the potential risks.

According to Bakoji, the anticipated return of transhumant herders from Niger to Kano before local farmers finish harvesting could create additional tension this year.

“In previous years, herders migrating to other areas, particularly from Niger, usually returned to Kano after the harvest. But this year, they are expected to return while harvesting is still ongoing,” Bakoji said.

He linked the expected early movement of the herders to water shortages in Niger and cautioned that their return could heighten the possibility of confrontations with farmers.

Bakoji said MACBAN had already communicated its concerns to the Kano and Jigawa state governments as well as security agencies.

“We have already sent reports and recommendations to the Kano and Jigawa state governments, as well as security agencies, so that preventive measures can be taken before the problem arises,” he said.

He also cited the closure and alleged illegal occupation of cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock resting points as some of the issues that have continued to fuel disagreements between farmers and herders.

“One of the roots of the problem is the way some cattle routes, grazing areas and livestock rest points have been closed or occupied illegally. We are therefore calling on the government to urgently look into the matter,” he said.

Bakoji further said MACBAN was prepared to work with relevant stakeholders towards resolving the issues and preventing further conflict.

Farmer-herder disputes have remained a longstanding issue in several parts of Nigeria, with some incidents resulting in deaths and the destruction of property.

In Kano State, however, the situation has reportedly recorded some improvement in recent years, although stakeholders remain concerned about possible tensions during the current harvest period.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has appointed Barr. Hafsat Kutama as the Acting Chairperson of the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Social Media, Ibrahim Adam, on his verified social media handle on Wednesday.

“His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Barr. Hafsat Ada’u Kutama, as the Acting Chairperson of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Kano State,” he said.

“Until her appointment, Barr. Hafsat served as the Secretary of the Commission,” he added.

The Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Saidu Yahaya, was reported to have resigned his appointment on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

Yahaya was appointed chairman of the PCACC in August 2025, following the expiration of the tenure of the former chairman, Muhuyi Rimin Gado.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Sorrow has gripped the Kano State Children’s Council community following the death of its Chairperson, Hauwa.

The announcement of her passing was made with the Islamic supplication, “Innalillahi Wa’inna Ilaihirrajiun” (Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return), as family members and close associates confirmed the sad news on Tuesday.

According to the funeral arrangements released by the family, the Janazah (burial prayer) has been scheduled to hold at 9:00 AM prompt. The service will take place at Hotoro Tsamiyar Boko, located directly behind Amazing School, where sympathizers and well-wishers are expected to gather for the final rites.

Mourners are currently mobilizing to the venue to pay their final respects, with prayers offered for the repose of her soul and for fortitude for her bereaved family.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The presidential ambition of President Bola Tinubu cannot be guaranteed by the All Progressives Congress’ control of more than 30 states, according to Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

Kwankwaso made the remark on Thursday in Port Harcourt at a town hall meeting with voters, where he and the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, responded to questions about the 2027 general elections.

The former Kano State governor cited the 2015 presidential election as evidence that control of several states does not automatically translate into victory at the federal level.

He recalled that the Peoples Democratic Party, under which former President Goodluck Jonathan contested the 2015 election, controlled about 20 states before the poll. Jonathan, however, lost his re-election bid to the APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Jonathan secured victory in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while Buhari won 21 states. Eleven of the states won by Buhari were under PDP control at the time.

Tinubu, who defeated Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, is seeking another term on the APC platform. The party currently controls about 31 states.

Kwankwaso therefore dismissed the argument that the APC’s control of numerous states would secure Tinubu’s re-election.

“Jonathan was the sitting president and he lost the election. Those who think that because they have over 30 governors they cannot lose are making a very big mistake,” he said.

‘This Is The Time To Get It Right’

Kwankwaso also criticised the performance of some state governors, particularly those in the northern part of the country.

“The trend is that those governors and their parties have performed woefully. It is difficult for many of them to even come out and campaign because, from top to bottom, they did absolutely nothing,” he stated.

The NDC vice-presidential candidate further argued that some of the individuals seeking the presidency lacked the experience required to effectively govern Nigeria.

He said the country needed “a committed, strong and vibrant president” who could confront its challenges.

Kwankwaso also warned voters against making another political decision that could have serious consequences for the country in 2027.

“This is the time to get it right. Anything to the contrary, if people make a mistake, they will regret making that mistake because it will be too costly for the people and the country,” he said.

The NDC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also addressed the gathering.

Lulu-Briggs praised party members in the state for their patience, resilience and commitment to the political movement.

He expressed confidence that the NDC would build “a Nigeria that works” and assured the party’s national leadership of the continued support of its members in Rivers State.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Gunmen have killed two residents and abducted the All Progressives Congress Chairman of Rogo Local Government Area of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Fanka, in a late-night attack on the community.

The incident reportedly occurred around 11pm on Monday when the armed men invaded the area and opened fire, forcing residents to flee their homes.

A resident who spoke about the incident on Tuesday, under the condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said two people were killed after they attempted to prevent the abductors from taking away the APC chairman.

“The two people killed couldn’t stop them from whisking away the party chairman because they were in possession of sophisticated weapons,” the resident said.

The latest attack occurred less than 24 hours after gunmen reportedly killed the APC Chairman of Rantan Ward in Bebeji Local Government Area, Alhaji Garba Buba, alongside another resident, Sulaiman Zunduma.

The Rantan incident took place on Sunday night when the attackers invaded the community and killed the two victims. The Kano State Police Command subsequently commenced an investigation and launched efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

The incidents followed another attack in Chiromawa community, Garun Mallam Local Government Area, where suspected bandits abducted the Sarkin Noman Kano, Alhaji Yusif Nadabo, on Saturday night.

Nadabo was later rescued by the police after security personnel and local residents responded to the attack. Three residents were reportedly injured during the incident.

The attacks in Rogo, Bebeji and Garun Mallam occurred in neighbouring areas of Kano State within roughly 72 hours, raising renewed concerns about the security situation across the state.

The development came shortly after the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, announced on Monday that the Federal Government was working on a five-year defence and security strategy following the recent attacks in Kano.

Attempts to obtain an official reaction from the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. Calls to his telephone were not answered, while a WhatsApp message sent to him had not received a response.