Kano

By Uzair Adam

Concerns have risen following a fire outbreak at Kano’s famous Kantin Kwari Market, with the market union pledging to implement measures to prevent future fire incidents.

It wasreported that the fire broke out around 8:00 p.m., shortly after the Isha evening prayers, where two shops were completely destroyed, with goods worth millions of naira reduced to ashes.

The fire, according to the Kano State Fire Service, believed to have been caused by a solar electricity fault, began at Gidan Inuwa Maimai on Bayajidda Street and spread, affecting 13 shops out of around 100 in the building.

Shamsuddini Gambo, a trader, explained that the fire was quickly brought under control due to the swift response of the market’s fire service.

Bashir Alhassan, one of the affected shop owners, confirmed that while only two shops were completely destroyed, “around 13 shops, including mine, were partially damaged by the water used to extinguish the fire.

“Apart from Alhaji Zayyanu and Alhaji Tahir’s shops, no others were severely damaged.”

Hoodlums attempt looting

As the fire raged, hoodlums reportedly gathered, armed with weapons, attempting to steal goods from the affected shops.

Alhassan noted that police swiftly intervened, dispersing the would-be thieves.

“While we were trying to save our goods from the fire, these criminals appeared, attempting to steal from us. Thankfully, the police overpowered them and foiled their plan,” Alhassan added.

Market union to address fire outbreaks

Anas Muhammad Zango, the Public Relations Officer of the Kantin Kwari Market Union, speaking on behalf of the union’s chairman, Alhaji Sa’adu Mu’azu Dogon Nama, expressed sympathy for the victims.

He assured that the union is implementing steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.“One of the key measures is the immediate removal of gas cylinders used by food vendors within the market. Additionally, shop owners using generators must relocate them outside the market,” Zango explained.

He also expressed gratitude that the damage was not worse and urged traders to cooperate with the police and fire services to maintain a safer market environment.

Solar power blamed for fireAccording to Saminu Yusif, the Kano State Fire Service’s Public Relations Officer, the fire was traced back to a fault in the solar electricity system.

“At the time of the fire, there was no public electricity supply in the area, so it was easy to trace the cause to the solar system,” he stated.

Yusif added that while 13 shops were affected, 11 of the shop owners managed to save their goods, with only two shops being completely destroyed.

By Anas Abbas

Nigerians are grappling with the harsh realities of rising food prices and crippling inflation, largely attributed to the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This policy shift, which many see as the primary driver of the current economic hardships, has compounded the challenges Nigerians faced during the previous administration.

Now, more than ever, the cost of living has become unbearable for many.

The Daily Reality has gathered that the business community is also struggling to stay afloat.

Entrepreneurs are battling to maintain profit margins as operational costs continue to soar.

This has sparked widespread calls for government intervention, as many consumers believe the rise in food prices is excessive and, in some cases, artificially inflated by market forces.

Painful outcries

The surge in food prices has left many ordinary Nigerians, not only in Kano, in dire straits.

In a series of interviews conducted by The Daily Reality in Kano, citizens revealed how the price hikes have made basic necessities unaffordable, forcing some families to cut back on meals.

“I can no longer provide three meals a day for my family. Sometimes, we go to bed hungry,” said Mrs. Aisha Yahaya, a mother of five.

“Before, a bag of rice was N50,000, now it’s N90,000. How can I afford that on my meager pension?,” lamented a retired civil servant.

A visit to Singer Market painted a bleak picture. Once bustling with activity, the market now has a somber atmosphere, with many stalls closed and traders struggling to make sales.

Customers, too, appeared despondent, unable to afford the inflated prices.”The price hike has ruined our lives. We can’t sell, we can’t buy. We’re just surviving,” said one trader, who preferred to remain anonymous.

Price hike beyond our control

Alhaji Samaila, Managing Director of Hamir Investment, explained that the rising prices are not the fault of traders, but a result of the market’s dynamics.

“When goods become scarce in the market, those who have stock take advantage and raise prices beyond reasonable levels,” he said.

Samaila also pointed out that companies often increase prices without notifying their customers, exacerbating the situation.

“This has led to commodities increasing by as much as 20% to 50%,” he added.

Unregulated market leads to price exploitation

The Daily Reality found that the lack of government intervention and regulation has allowed traders in Singer Market to set prices arbitrarily.

This “open market” situation has created a breeding ground for price exploitation, where traders take advantage of scarcity to inflate prices.

The absence of a regulatory framework has left consumers vulnerable, with market prices often dictated by who can pay the most, rather than by genuine market forces like supply and demand.

Traders forced out by price instability

The instability in prices has not only affected consumers but also forced some traders out of business.

With the rising cost of goods and dwindling capital, many traders are finding it increasingly difficult to continue operations.

Alhaji Samaila lamented the impact of the economic downturn on sales and investments.

He shared that a regular customer who previously purchased goods worth N2.5 million now struggles to make ends meet.

“The uncertainty in pricing has led to suspicions of price gouging, and the overall trust in the market system is eroding,” he said.

A call for intervention

Barr. Junaidu Muhammad Zakari, Managing Director of Singer Market, has called for urgent government intervention to curb the escalating prices.

He attributed the hike primarily to the removal of fuel subsidies, but also highlighted other contributing factors such as poor agricultural output and over-reliance on foreign goods.

Zakari urged the government to take proactive measures, including improving the agricultural sector, promoting local competition, and licensing more companies to produce goods domestically.

This, he said, would reduce the pressure on imports and stabilize prices.

A way forward

Zakari noted that the removal of fuel subsidies has had a devastating impact not just on Singer Market but across Nigeria.

To address this, he called for the establishment of a price regulatory body that can monitor and control prices, ensuring they remain fair and reasonable for both businesses and consumers.

“The current situation is unsustainable. Without proper regulation, the price hike will continue to cripple businesses and impoverish consumers. The government must act now to create a fair and equitable market environment,” Zakari warned.

Anti-corruption commission steps in

Muhi Rimin Gado, Managing Director of the Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, also weighed in on the issue, expressing the need for immediate action to address the artificial inflation plaguing the market.

“We cannot fold our arms and watch this situation spiral out of control. Steps must be taken to curb the excessive price hikes and provide relief to the people,” Gado declared.

His remarks have sparked hope among the public that the government will take decisive action to mitigate the artificial inflation that has caused so much hardship.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has initiated the distribution of essential learning materials to schools across the state’s 44 local government areas.

The launch ceremony, held at the government house on Thursday evening, saw the distribution of 120,000 cartons of chalk, 97,532 workbooks, 93,600 exercise books, 199,234 classroom registers, 350,000 report sheets, 351 lesson observation books, and national anthem booklets to schools.

Speaking at the event, Governor Yusuf emphasized the importance of this effort in revitalizing the state’s struggling education system.

“This marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by Kano’s education sector, which has suffered from inadequate infrastructure and a growing number of out-of-school children,” the governor remarked.

He further stated the government’s focus on training and retraining teachers, rehabilitating schools, and constructing new classroom blocks to create a more conducive learning environment for students.

The Commissioner of Education, Umar Haruna Doguwa, praised the governor’s unwavering support for the education sector and noted that the declaration of a state of emergency on education had led to meaningful reforms and exceeded expectations.

By Uzair Adam

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Kano State Government, demanding that their grievances be addressed or face an imminent strike.

This decision was reached during a meeting of the State Administrative Council, following the government’s failure to resolve issues previously raised in multiple correspondences.

In a letter signed by NANNM’s acting State Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Ahmad Hamzat Sharada, and addressed to the Kano State Head of Civil Service, the association warned that nurses and midwives across clinical facilities and training institutions in the state would withdraw their services after the notice expires on October 16, 2024.

The letter outlined key demands, including the payment of a revised hazard allowance for nurses, harmonization of their service scheme, and the payment of a 259% upward review of the CONHESS salary structure.

This development follows a similar ultimatum by the National Association of Government General and Medical Dental Practitioners, which began an indefinite strike on October 1, 2024, due to the government’s failure to meet its previous agreements.

By Anwar Usman

The governor of Kano state, Abba Kabir Yusuf says Nigeria is suffering from serious problems that require bold and innovative solutions to address.

He urged residents of the state to imbibe the spirit of patriotism to ensure that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s forefathers were not in vain.

Yusuf made the call at the celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary held at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Tuesday.

He said, “As we stand on the shoulders of giants, we must ask ourselves: What will be our contribution to the future of this great state? How will we ensure that the sacrifices made by our forefathers were not in vain? As we look ahead to the future, let us do so with optimism, unity, and a shared sense of purpose.

“Let us draw inspiration from our past achievements, learn from our challenges, and march forward with courage and conviction. Together, we can overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and realize the full potential of our great nation.

“Fellow Nigerians, it is clear that we face significant obstacles in our time. From economic pressures to social inequalities, from security concerns to the impacts of climate change, we are confronted with obstacles that require bold and innovative solutions. Yet, we cannot allow these challenges to deter us from our goal of building a better future for all citizens of Kano State and Nigeria at large.”

The governor while expressing optimism about a brighter future said it however lies in the ability of the citizens to work together, just as the country’s forefathers did.

He assured the public of his administration’s readiness to remain focused towards fulfilling the promises of delivering people oriented projects that will have positive impacts on the lives of the masses and the general development of the state.

By Anwar Usman

The Kano State Police Command has warned residents against demonstration on the streets in any guise as the command is ready to deal seriously with any person or group of persons that violated the order.

SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Command’s spokesperson, gave the warning while parading some arrested criminals at the Command’s headquarters in Bompai Kano on Monday.

He said that the police will not allow a repeat of the thuggery witnessed in the state during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.

“On the forthcoming Independence Day celebration on 1 October 2024, the Police Command has concluded all necessary arrangements to provide adequate security during and after the event period.

“I therefore urge all Kano State people to cooperate with the Police as well as other security agencies and participate in the Independence Day celebration responsibly, adhering to all safety guidelines and respecting the rights of others.”

He further stated, “Security deployments have been concluded at strategic locations within the state to forestall any likely security threats on the alleged planned 1st October nationwide protest. We have to appreciate the fact that all forms of crime are reducing drastically”.

By Uzair Adam

The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the death of five officers following a fatal motor accident in Karfi town, located in Kura Local Government Area.

The Daily Reality gathered that the crash also left 11 other officers injured.The Command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the officers were involved in the accident while returning to Kano from an official assignment.

“The accident occurred at Karfi, a few kilometers from Kano. Unfortunately, five officers lost their lives on the spot, while 11 others sustained various injuries,” Kiyawa said.

According to preliminary investigations, the officers were traveling in a Hummer bus that collided head-on with a parked trailer, which led to the tragic loss.

The injured officers were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.

The Kano FRSC spokesperson, Abdullahi Labaran, also confirmed the crash, stating that it was caused by excessive speeding, which led the bus driver to lose control before the collision.

The officers had been deployed to Edo State for election monitoring duties and were returning to Kano at the time of the accident.

By Uzair Adam

A Kano State High Court, presided by Justice Sunusi Ado Maaji, has issued a restraining order against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and 19 other political parties, preventing them from obstructing the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) from collecting nomination fees for the upcoming local government elections.

The political parties had initially objected to KANSIEC’s set fees, which were N10 million for chairmanship candidates and N5 million for councillorship candidates.

In response to a federal high court ruling in Abuja questioning the high fees, KANSIEC adjusted the fees to N9 million for chairmanship and N4 million for councillorship.

The local government elections in Kano are scheduled for October 26, 2024.

The defendants in the case include Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Boot Party, Labour Party, National Rescue Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Young Party, and Zenith Labour Party.

On September 24, 2024, the court granted an ex-parte order, halting any action by the political parties that could derail KANSIEC’s preparations for the election, pending the hearing of the motion on notice, which is set for October 10, 2024.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the plaintiff, North Central APC Forum, lacked standing to file the suit. 

The court held that the group was not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and therefore not a juristic person.

Justice Ekwo ruled that Ganduje’s appointment or removal requires a national convention. 

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Ayuba Abdul, and group leader Saleh Zazzaga vowed to appeal the judgement, expressing no surprise at the outcome. 

The suit challenged Ganduje’s appointment, citing the APC constitution’s Article 31.5(1) f, which requires the chairman to hail from the North Central geopolitical zone.

Ganduje is from Kano State in the North West zone.

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has dissolved the caretaker committee chairmen of all 44 local government areas, effective immediately.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature.

The decision comes just a week after the state House of Assembly extended the caretaker chairmen’s tenure by two months, having been set to expire on September 8.

Lawmakers said the extension was meant to ensure continuity in local governance ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 26.

Governor Yusuf instructed the caretaker chairmen to hand over leadership responsibilities to their respective Directors of Personnel Management, stating that the dissolution also affects vice chairmen, secretaries, and councillors.

In his remarks, the governor expressed gratitude for the caretaker chairmen’s contributions and hinted at possible future collaborations.