2017: Selected Kano stories
19 killed in Kano road accident On September 8, 2017, 19 people including women and children have been confirmed dead and 15 others injured following a fatal road accident along Bichi-Katsina road in Kano state. The accident which occurred at Rimayen Rake village in Bichi local government, Kano state, involved a Peugeot J5 and 28-seater […]
19 killed in Kano road accident
On September 8, 2017, 19 people including women and children have been confirmed dead and 15 others injured following a fatal road accident along Bichi-Katsina road in Kano state.
The accident which occurred at Rimayen Rake village in Bichi local government, Kano state, involved a Peugeot J5 and 28-seater Toyota Corolla bus.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ahmad Tijjani Muhammad, said 34 persons were involved in the accident.
He said, “The incident involved 34 people; 28 male adults, three female adults and three male children. The 19 dead victims comprised 15 male adults, two female adults and two male children.”
He added that the 15 injured victims include 13 male adults, one female adults and a male child, saying 28 of the dead victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Danmasanin Kano dies at 88
A former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nation Dr Yusuf Maitama Sule the Dan Masanin Kano died on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 in Egypt.
Late Dan Masani died of heart related complications at the age of 88, his grandson, Alhaji Hassan Mahmoud confirmed.
Mahmoud said, “When he fell sick, he was initially hospitalised at Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Kano where he was diagnosed and confirmed to have heart related complications.
Born in 1929, late Maitama Sule left behind a wife, 10 children and many grandchildren.
Monkeypox disease detected in Kano
On October 26, 2017, a disease suspected to be Monkeypox was detected in Kano state for the first time since the discovery of the disease in the country. The disease was recorded at public hospital in Tiga town, Bebeji local government area of the state.
A health official, who pleaded for anonymity, said a patient from Nasarawar-Kuki village was diagnosed with the disease.
The Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, Malam Isma’ila Garba Gwammaja confirmed the development, but said it was not certain whether it was monkeypox or not.
50th Anniversary: Kano holds 2nd Economic and Investment Summit
Also last year, Kano State held its second edition of Economic and Investment Submit as part of activities to commemorate 50th anniversary of the state.
The Second edition of Kano Economic and Investment Submit with the theme “Transforming the Economy of Kano State: Turning Challenges into Opportunities” was aimed at laying a solid foundation for glorious and prosperous years to come.
During the week-long celebrations, a special prayer session was held, inspection of some selected projects, commissioning of completed projects by the present administration, laying foundation of new projects and grand durbar was conducted for the invited guests.
AVM Mukhtar Muhammad dies at 73
On Sunday, October 1, 2017, Air Vice Marshall Mukhtar Muhammad (rtd) died in a London hospital after a protracted illness.
His younger brother and Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea, Aminu Dalhatu, who confirmed the death, said late Muhammad died at the age of 73.
Until his death, late AVM Muhammad was the Wazirin Dutse, Jigawa state and Chairman of the first private FM radio station in Kano, Freedom Radio.
Late Muhammad was born on November 11, 1944 in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa state.
Change of leadership in Kano State House of Assembly
On Monday, July 3, 2017, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum voluntarily resigned from his position as speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly.
He resigned to enable a proper investigation into a bribery allegation against him and some members of the House.
Rurum was accused of collecting $285,000, an equivalent of about N100m from Alhaji Aliko Dangote to halt the removal of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, who was at that time under probe by the House over an alleged abuse of office.
Rurum tendered his resignation letter to the House at a plenary chaired by the Deputy Speaker Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari.
The letter was read to the house by its Clerk, Alhaji Lawal Badamasi, subsequently, the House unanimously endorsed the appointment of Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Ata from Fagge local government as new speaker of the house.
Scores injured as Kwankwasiyya, Ganddujiyya clashed in Kano
On September 2, 2017, scores of people including former secretary to Kano state government, Dr Rabi”u Sulaiman Bichi and younger brother to Dr Rabi”u Musa Kwankwaso were injured following a clash between supporters of Kwakwasiyya and Gandujiyya.
Also injured during the attack that took place at Emir’s palace during the famous Hawan Daushe were Dr Adamu Yunus Dangwani and Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam both former commissioners under Kwankwaso’s administration.
Confirming the incident to Daily Trust on Sunday, Dr Dangwani said, “We were standing watching the horse riders when suddenly the supporters of Gandujiyya descended on us. They hit the former SSG with a heavy stick and stabbed Yahaya with a knife on his shoulder.”
Kano APC chairman steps down
The Ganduje-led faction Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas has stepped down from his position.
However, the name of the ex-chairman was presented to the State House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioner.
Abbas was succeeded by Engineer Bashir Yahaya Karaye, who was appointed acting chairman of the party in Kano by the APC national leadership.
Severe fever ravages Kano again
Also in 2017, a severe fever has again ravaged various communities in Kano, one year after similar ailment wreaked havoc on many residents in the state, Kano Chronicle, observed.
Kano Chronicle findings revealed that, the fever began its attack late July, August through to September and that most of its victims were diagnosed with malaria, typhoid or even both.
Similarly, most of the affected people resorted to herbal medication as the fever defies various conventional medications, our reporters, observed.
It was a common sight in the state metropolis during the epidemic, to see queues of sick persons at patent medicine stores popularly known as chemist seeking for medical attention.
I’ll not join ticket with Ganduje in 2019, says Kano deputy governor
Kano state Deputy Governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar has dropped a shocking political revelation, saying he will not joint ticket with his principal, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje come 2019.
Professor Abubakar in a leaked audio clip said he would rather return to Bayero University Kano where he belonged after the expiration of their tenure on May 29, 2019.
He said, “I was picked by Kwankwaso to be running mate of Ganduje in the last general elections. My wish is to return to BUK by the end of our tenure in 2019 and continue with my career.
Professor Abuabakr was responding to party restructuring exercise which led to the removal of APC chairman in his ward, Madawari in Gwale local government area of the state without his consent.
Ganduje employs 2,458 health workers
Kano state government has employed 2,458 healthcare workers to man healthcare facilities in the state.
The State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the newly employed health workers would serve in various capacities across the 44 local government areas of the state.
‘’The 2,458 healthcare workers employed by Kano state government will work in our primary and secondary healthcare facilities, medical board, specialists laboratories and Primary Healthcare Management Board. Some as medical doctors, nurses and others as pharmacists,’’ he said.
First Kano Agric commissioner Inuwa Dutse is dead
On the 24th December 2017, the first commissioner of agriculture of the old Kano state, Alhaji Inuwa Dutse died.
Late Dutse, died at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano after a briefed illness, his son, Alhaji Tijjani Inuwa Dutse, said.
Aged 88, late Dutse left behind four wives, 35 children and over 100 grandchildren.
Tijjani Dutse, a former comissioner of justice of Jigawa state, added that, “My late father had left a will that when he died, we should burry him in Dutse and close his father’s grave and we are determine to fulfil his will.”
Ganduje drops five commissioners, swears-in six
Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has relieved five commissioners, just as he sworn-in six new ones.
Those relieved were Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Muhammad Falali, Rabi’u Bako of commerce, Hajiya Zubaida Damakka Abubakar of Planning and Budget, Engineer Shehu Haruna Lambu of works and Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago of finance ministry.
The newly appointed commissioners are Barrister Ibrahim Mukhtar (Justice), Engineer Aminu Aliyu (Works, Housing and Transport), Alhaji Aminu Mukhtar Dan Amu (finance), Alhaji Ahmed Rabi’u (Commerce), Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Special Duties) and Hajiya Aishatu Jafar Yusuf (Planning and Budget).
Kano empowers 5, 200 tea sellers
The Kano State government has spent N208m on empowering 5, 200 tea sellers drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state.
The gesture was part of the state government’s self-reliance scheme.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said the programme was in furtherance of his administration’s commitment to ensuring increase in the masses’ economic well-being.