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Tag: Muhammad Sanusi II

  • Sanusi: My comments on Tinubu’s policies sensationalised

    Sanusi: My comments on Tinubu’s policies sensationalised

    The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, yesterday described reports of a statement credited to him to the effect that he would not help the Tinubu administration to explain its policies as sensational.

    Media reports from a memorial lecture organized in honour of the late human rights lawyer Chief Gani Fawehinmi on Wednesday had quoted Emir Sanusi as saying that he had decided not to speak about the economy or the reforms as doing so would only benefit the Tinubu government and he would not want to aid it.

    The comments had drawn angry reactions from some quarters, including the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, who accused the emir of prioritising personal interests over national duty.

    “We find it amusing that a leader, more so one from an institution that ennobles forthrightness, fairness and justice, would publicly admit to shuffling off telling the truth because of personal interest hinged on imaginary antagonism,” Mohammed had said in a statement on Thursday.

    Read Also: Nigerians hired as UK prison officers sleep in cars, camp near jails

    But the emir has now expressed disappointment over what he described as the sensationalisation and misrepresentation of his statement. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle yesterday, Sanusi clarified that his remarks were taken out of context.

    He also expressed disappointment that the broader message of his speech was reduced to a single paragraph.

    He insisted that his speech was in support of government’s reforms and also an acknowledgement of the sacrifices Nigerians were enduring from years of economic mismanagement.

    Sanusi II said: “They took one paragraph out of context and sensationalised it; nothing about the nuanced support given to the government. That there are arguments supporting the reforms. That we are paying a price for decades of mismanagement before Tinubu. That there is light at the end of the tunnel. That we should all pray and support the system and talk about the good things happening.”

  • London varsity honours Emir of Kano, others

    THE Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II on Friday bagged honourary doctoratal award in Finance at the 2019 graduation ceremonies of the SOAS University of London.

    Sanusi was among other pioneering figures in the fields of law, literature, journalism, and finance honoured at this year’s graduation ceremonies of the university. Other awardees are: award-winning journalist, Lindsey Hilsum, editor, broadcaster; critic, Margaret Busby; and human rights lawyer, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana.

    Read Also: Masari urges emirs, others to protect corps members

    The Emir was honoured for pioneering the introduction of Islamic banking into the Nigerian banking sector and his anti-corruption work in the financial industry. The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the University in its citation noted that the Emir has consistently brought his wealth of expertise to resolving significant development challenges including public health, girl-child education and reforms of Muslim family law as well as the systems of zakat and auqaf (endowments).

    Baroness Valerie Amos, Director of SOAS, said: “Our honorary awardees this year are all remarkable people who have been pioneers and innovators and sought to bring about change in the world. Their work has furthered the public’s understanding of conflict and humanitarian affairs; demonstrated how to tackle high level corruption in often complex situations; paved the way for greater diversity in publishing; and fought for and gained recognition for women’s rights in Indonesia. Their achievements reflect the values which are important to us at SOAS and I am delighted to welcome them to our community.”

    SOAS University of London President and renowned humanitarian Dame Graça Machel gave an inspirational President’s speech at the 2019 SOAS graduation ceremonies in which she called on graduates to become the next generation of leaders who drive change, find solutions to the world’s problems and end inequality.

  • AGF: servicing debt with 70% of income okay

    The Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, has allayed the fear that servicing the country’s debt with 70 per cent of the national income will not destabilise the economy.

    Ahmed, who spoke on Monday in Kano during a visit to the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, insisted that debt servicing will not cause the nation any problem, pointing out that the Federal Government has initiated some strategies to cushion the effect of the debt profile.

    He said: “We are doing our best to meet our obligations, even though debt services are obligations and we meet them as at when due. We do not have any problem in settling our debts.

    “It is always a burden paying debt and anyone paying debt would know that he is just meeting a burden which has to be made in line with the agreements, some local and international debts, but we just have to abide by all our agreements and obligations.”

    Reacting on the 30 per cent revenue generation for the nation’s expenditure, Ahmed explained: “There are number of ways the Federal Government is deploying to boost its revenue generation drive”.

    He listed the strategic revenue growth initiative under which all the revenue generating ministries, parastatals are given portfolios to meet revenue targets as one of the critical measures rolled out by the government.

    The AGF noted: “All these agencies are given the responsibilities to generate and they are working assiduously to meet up their revenue portfolios.

    Read Also: Nigeria’s assets in UK not at risk, says AGF

    “So, all these efforts are part of the strategic measures, among other efforts, the federal government is being put in place as strategic plan to boost the revenue generation of the nation.

    “Evidently, we are beginning to reap the benefit, but more importantly, the meager amount for spending is being spent efficiently and diligently.

    “We have stopped a number of leakages and we would continue to do that because that is what is required to have an efficient public expenditure, with prudent accountability in order to achieve the required efficiency.”

    Emir Sanusi II had expressed concern that 70 per cent of the revenue being generated was being used in servicing debt.

    He tasked the AGF to be prudent enough in the management of the country’s treasury as those entrusted with public funds must have the fear of God at heart.

    The monarch said: “It is very important and honorary responsibility to manage the nation’s treasury especially at this time, where the physical position of government on the balance sheet has been stretched because of debt service.

    “And before that is sorted the amount spent on the debt services need to be guided diligently so than we can improved our economic and finances.”

  • Kano Emir sues for calm over inconclusive results

    The Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II on Tuesday appealed to residents to remain calm over Saturday’s inconclusive governorship election.

    He told them to avoid rumours over the development as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) works toward rectifying grey areas.

    The Emir urged them to avoid unguided statements that may plunge the state into chaos.

    Muhammad Sanusi II made the call while addressing reporters at his palace to douse the tension.

    He said the inconclusive verdict on the election shouldn’t make residents embark on violence or destructive activities.

    The Nation observed prior to declaration of the governorship election as inconclusive, there was apprehension in the ancient city as schools and markets were closed down for fear of possible breakdown of law and order.

    But the Emir said: “The law empowers only INEC to announce results of election and that should be respected.

    Read Also: Emir of Kano frowns at renewed political violence

    “Therefore, those sharing results not released by the electoral body should stop it.

    “INEC is the only body accorded the power under the law to announce election results and it has done that announcing the election as inconclusive, hence, there will be re-run.”

    He urged politicians not to heat up the polity with comments that can create chaos, adding “politicians should not see elections as war but rather a contest that should be conducted in friendly atmosphere.”

    The Emir appreciated the security agents for their efforts of sustaining peace in the state before, during and after the election.

    He praised the Commissioner of Police, Wakili Mohammed and his men for maintaining the peace.

  • Ganduje to would-be losers: accept defeat

    Kano state governor Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has appealed to whoever loses at the ongoing Presidential and National Assembly Elections to accept defeat in good faith.

    He spoke shortly after casting his vote along with his wife Hajiya Hafsat at the Ganduje Cikin Gari unit PO 008 of  Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano.

    The governor, who arrived the polling station at about 10 am joined the queue, was verified and voted at about 10:30 am.

    Addressing newsmen, the governor expressed satisfactions with conduct of election that verification and casting of votes was smooth without hitches.

    Ganduje however called on losers to accept defeat adding that politics is not a do- or- die affair.

    Read Also: Kano poll: Why Ganduje will win

    According to him: “The striking thing is that the system adopted by INEC this time for people to instantly be accredited and vote immediately.

    “Such move is quiet commendable because it doesn’t allow people to be crowded in one place to cause violence. “As soon as you vote you move away making the place peaceful.”

    He expressed delighted he was properly verified by the card reader and as such this is an indication that the conduct of election will be hitch free.

    He hailed INEC for providing the necessary electoral materials required for the elections on time to allow for quick and smooth voting.

    Our reporter in Ganduje town observed that the turnout of voters was massive with security efficient.

    The Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II voted at about 9:45am with a call on the electorate to come out en-mass and cast their votes.

    He also commended INEC for a job well done.

  • Emir of Kano calls for use of local language to teach

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, on Wednesday, advised the Federal Government to institute a policy that allows the use of local languages to teach in Nigerian schools.

    Sanusi, who gave the advice at a two-day Northern Nigeria Traditional Leaders Conference on Out-of-School Children, in Kaduna, said that the use of only English language in teaching has contributed to low educational development in the country.

    The conference was organised by Federal Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission, National Commission for Mass Education and Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development in collaboration with UNICEF.

    According to him, the national policy on education that allows only English language as a means of communication in classrooms is defective and responsible for low assimilation among students.

    “English as a language yes, but English as the only medium of teaching and learning is wrong and counterproductive.

    “You don’t need English language to be a doctor, you don’t need it to be engineer or anything one wants to be.”

    He stressed that teaching with mother tongue would go a long way in improving the rate of assimilation and make teaching and learning interesting and productive.

    Sanusi also pointed out the lack of commitment to improving the quality of education by all levels of governments had manifested over the years in the paltry budgetary allocation made to education by all levels of government.

    He said that only seven per cent of the 2018 federal budget was allocated to education against the recommended 26 per cent.

    “This is a clear indication that education was the least of the Nigeria’s priority. This is quite disturbing.

    “Our political leaders must be held accountable if they fail to meet up with their responsibility of providing education, quality health services and other development aspiration of the people.

    “If a sitting governor cannot ensure that his people are educated, healthy and empowered to live a productive life then he has no business being in governance.”

    Earlier, 16-year-old Tabitha Emmanuel, from Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno, while sharing her experience stressed that access to quality education for all should be of concern to everyone.

    Read Also : Education is antidote to extremism, terrorism – Buhari

    Emmanuel said that Nigerian societies cannot thrive when millions of children have no opportunity to access education that can make them productive members of their communities.

    “I recalled that sometime ago, Boko Haram sent a letter to my community directing that no girl should be sent to school.

    “They later came and burnt my school and destroyed my village, killed many people, took women and abducted more than 200 girls into captivity.

    “I was forced to stay at home for six months. My future became bleak and life became difficult.

    “But as peace returned to the troubled North East, I was able to complete my primary and secondary school and I am looking forward to a brighter future.”

    She pointed out that there are still huge number of girls and children who do not have access to quality education, and appealed to community leaders to recognised that children are important machinery in shaping a country’s future for greatness.

    According to her, there must be collective effort to ensure that schools are safe, gender based and other barriers to girl child education are addressed.

  • Buhari, traditional rulers meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, traditional rulers meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with traditional rulers from different parts of the country.

    The meeting was held at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Those at the meeting were Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, TorTiv and other prominent rulers in the land.

    The meeting, which started at about 3:00 p.m. was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

     

     

  • Kano Assembly Speaker resigns, Atta takes over

    Kano Assembly Speaker resigns, Atta takes over

    The Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, has resigned amidst allegation of collecting money to scuttle investigation on the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II.

    Rurum resigned in a letter read at plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Ibrahim Chidariof who presided over the sitting on Monday.

    The former speaker was alleged to have collected N100 million from business mogul Aliko Dangote but failed to share the money to the members.

    He had earlier at a news briefing before the assembly went on Sallah recess, denied the allegation and threatened to sue an online media group that first published the report.

    The deputy speaker, who read the letter, said Rurum resigned to protect his image due to allegations bordering on corruption leveled against him by some of the members.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the letter was read and accepted, the lawmakers elected the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Atta as the new Speaker.

    Atta, who represents Fagge constituency, was nominated for the position by Babangida Yakudima and Zubairu Mamuda and the nomination was unanimously accepted by the members including Rurum who was at the sitting.

  • Use mosques as classrooms, Emir Sanusi tells northern governors

    Use mosques as classrooms, Emir Sanusi tells northern governors

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II has advised northern governors to use mosques to offer primary education instead of constructing more classrooms, in the midst of scarce resources.

    Emir Sanusi who spoke during the combined graduation of 2,000 in-service teachers under the Kano state Teacher Upgrade Training Programme, maintained that the idea was feasible and cost-saving.

    He said: “Since there are many mosques in the northern part of the country, across local governments, they could function as primary schools during the day time and in between afternoon and evening obligatory prayers.

    “By so doing, we can limit the amount we spend on school infrastructure and devote the funds to the training of teachers, which is among the critical factors that lead to positive learning outcomes.”

    According to him, “as proof that the idea will work, he stated that during a visited to Fez, a city in Morocco some time ago, he visited a mosque which, besides its traditional function as a place of worship, was also conveniently serving as a university with a structured course outlines and lecturers.”

    The Emir maintained that “the separation of mosques from the teaching of formal education contributed significantly to the notion, among misguided people, that Islam is against western education.”

    He, however, expressed happiness that for the first time, the government of Kano state has understood that the problem of education is not principally about infrastructure and teaching materials, but placed emphasis on teacher capacity building for better leaning outcomes.

    The governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje told the gathering that Kano has over 3 million pupils in public primary schools, over 52,000 teachers and 6,000 public basic education schools, with multiple challenges, including that of infrastructure.

    “Despite the current economic hardships, there are still ongoing construction of new schools, more renovation works in many schools, procurement and provision of essential teaching and learning materials,” he assured.

    Besides, the governor stated that administration is determined to improve the quality of human resource in the education sector for effective teaching and learning, saying, “we are surely obliged to continue to demonstrate our commitment to the development of education in the state.”

    Dr. Ganduje explained that his vision is to ensure that “by the end of year 2017, all unqualified basic education teachers in Kano State will become professional teachers through Teacher Upgrade Programme and other in-service Training opportunities.”

  • Kano gets Galadiman

    Kano gets Galadiman

    The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, has elevated the Senior Councillor in the Kano Emirate Council, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, to the Galadiman Kano, the most senior position among heirs to the Kano throne.

    This followed the demise of the former Galadiman, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim, last week.

    The emir also elevated Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero from the Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida to the Wambai Kano, the second in hierarchy in the Kano Emirate Council.

    Alhaji Ahmad Ado-Bayero was elevated from Tafida to Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida.

    The late Hashim’s son, Alhaji Barde Tijjani Hashim, was appointed the “Dan Isan Kano”.