We’re fighting ‘Daba’ to restore dignity, rebuild social fabric – AA Zaura

The President of AA Zaura Foundation International, Abdulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura, has reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to ending the menace of Daba in Kano, describing it as both a social and moral threat to the dignity of youths and the stability of society. Zaura made this declaration at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), during an engagement with […]

The President of AA Zaura Foundation International, Abdulkarim Abdulsalam Zaura, has reaffirmed his organisation’s commitment to ending the menace of Daba in Kano, describing it as both a social and moral threat to the dignity of youths and the stability of society.

Zaura made this declaration at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), during an engagement with the academic community, organised by the Centre for Economic, Social and Population Research (CESPOR) in collaboration with the foundation.

Speaking as Special Guest of Honour, Zaura said the initiative was part of a deliberate journey of dialogue and action that began with direct interactions with Daba groups, security agencies, Islamic scholars, teachers, and the business community before extending to the academic sector.

“We started by sitting down with the affected youth themselves, the Daba group leaders across different zones of Kano. We listened with empathy, we sought to understand their motivations, frustrations, and aspirations,” he said.

“From there, we engaged security agencies, our revered Islamic scholars, teachers, and the business community. Today, we are most honoured to be here with the academic community whose scholarship provides the intellectual scaffolding for lasting solutions.”

Zaura said the foundation had developed a comprehensive study-based solutions framework and a strategic action plan to tackle Daba in Kano and across Nigeria, which has already been submitted to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The event featured paper presentations on “Ending Daba and Advancing Human Dignity through Education in Kano State” and “Community-Led Solutions to Combating Daba in Kano State: Functional Education and Vocational Skills.”

Zaura said the presentations reinforced the need for education and vocational empowerment as key drivers of reform, adding that universities and research institutions must play a pivotal role through empirical research, policy advocacy, and thought leadership.

“The fight against Daba is not merely about curbing violence, it is about restoring human dignity, reclaiming wasted potential and rebuilding the moral and social fabric of our communities,” he stressed.

The communique from the engagement noted that addressing Daba requires a collective effort from parents, community leaders, educators, government officials, and security agencies. It warned that negligence or failure to act decisively would worsen violence, cause loss of lives and property, and erode social cohesion.

The way forward, it stated, includes strengthening educational infrastructure, providing vocational training programmes, promoting spiritual growth, and empowering youth economically.

Recommendations from the forum also urged government and stakeholders to prioritise education and youth development, while NGOs and community-based organisations were tasked with sustaining engagement with vulnerable youth.