Featured
Emir Sanusi Gets Reprieve as Court Stops Ganduje from Splitting Kano Emirate
A High Court sitting in Kano on Friday stopped Governor Abdullahi Ganduje from implementing the decentralisation of Kano Emirate.
Ganduje had on Wednesday signed into a law a bill creating four additional emirates in the state.
The court also stopped the Kano State House of Assembly and the attorney-general of the state from recognising the new four emirates.
An exparte motion, dated May 10, 2019, and filed by one Hon Sule Gwarzo, before Justice Nasiru Saminu, had asked the court to restrain the respondents from taking any action of creating four additional emirates.
In an order of interim injunction, the court directed all parties in this suit to maintain status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The move has been widely viewed as a move aimed at reducing the influence of the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.
Meanwhile, Ganduje has defended his decision to create four additional emirates in the state, denying accusations that the aim is to ridicule the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Ganduje insisted there was no vendetta against the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, but the latest move was meant to bring the traditional institution into full participation in governance.
The governor, who spoke with State House correspondents in Abuja, also dismissed the views that he had destroyed Kano’s cherished heritage dating back to 800 years.
He stated that those holding such views were entitled to their opinions.
Ganduje added, “Well, they are entitled to their own opinion but we are taking Kano to the next level and we need active participation of the traditional system, especially in the areas of education, security, agriculture, we need the effectiveness of the traditional rulers.
“By decentralising it, we are following history. Years back even before the 800 years you are referring to, the situation was not like that. So, if something developed 800 years ago, things are also developing now and there will be another 800 years. So, look at the history.”
On whether he was going after Sanusi for political reasons, the governor said he had nothing against the emir.
He argued that by law, Sanusi ordinarily should be reporting to a local government chairman and not the state governor.
Ganduje added, “It is not vendetta; I am not against him, in fact he is supposed to be reporting to the local government chairman according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is the local government chairman that he is supposed to discuss issues with, and not the governor. So, this is celebrated by the people of Kano and we will make sure that the new emirate councils are effective in terms of developing Kano State.”
The new emirates are Gaya, Rano, Karaye and Bichi.
The governor signed the bill passed by the state House of Assembly to create the emirates into law on Thursday.
The signing of the bill, “Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) (Amendment) Law 2019”, took place almost immediately the House transmitted it to Ganduje.
With the creation of the new emirates, the Kano emirate, which hitherto, controlled all the 44 local governments in the state, is left with only 10 LGs.
This also means that the N180m the 44 LGs draw from government allocation for traditional council operations and other services will now be spread across the five emirate councils.
Meanwhile, the governor on Friday appointed four new emirs in the state, 48 hours after he assented to the bill.
The new emirs and their new domains, according to TheCable are Aminu Ado Bayero, Bichi; Ibrahim Abdulkadir, Gaya; Tafida Abubakar, Rano; and Ibrahim Abubakar, Karaye.
Ado Bayero is one of the sons of the predecessor of the incumbent Kano emir.
The new emirs are expected to receive their letters of appointment and staff of office at a ceremony to be held at the Sani Abacha Stadium on Saturday.
Ganduje was said to have informed the appointed emirs of their elevation and directed them to begin preparations for their new assignment.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Al-Hassan Kabiru Rurum, on Friday dismissed claims that the creation of four new emirates in the state would reduce Sanusi’s influence.
Commenting on the passage of the pension bill for former Speakers and Deputy Speakers of the Assembly, he said, “When the governors and their deputies, with enormous resources at their disposal, are enjoying their pension and gratuity, nobody raised an eyebrow.
“At the Assembly, we make law for all the people of the state and as far as we are concerned there is nothing bad in remembering those who served the state diligently because when you see some former governors today, they are in a pitiful condition, so there is need to assist them. During their days, they contributed to the socio-economic development of the state.
“As far, as we are concerned, the bill is a very good one and for your information, I as the Speaker of the Assembly will not benefit from it for now because I have been elected as a member of the House of Representatives.
“In the bill, anybody, including former governor, deputy governor, speaker or deputy speaker serving as an appointee or elected into an office will not benefit from it because the bill forbids you to enjoy two pensions at a time. We are doing this in order to assist those who are out of government either by election or by appointment.”
The Punch
Fast-growing Lagos-based Entertainment and hospitality hub, Avalanche has announced the birth of its educational arm, The Avalanche Creative Academy.
The academy is designed as a top-notch platform dedicated to nurturing creativity and innovation among aspiring creatives.
The Academy aims to provide comprehensive training through various programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to inspire and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the creative industry.
It offers the following courses: Music Production, Sound Engineering, Photography, cinematography, 3D,graphic designs, motion graphics, Business Management, Creative copywriting, and Creative Strategies.
The Academy’s first set of intakes is scheduled to resume on the 17th of February 2025, while application opens from 13th of January 2025, on a 12-week basic course.
“Together, we can create invaluable experiences for our students and contribute to the creative community.
Follow the link below to register
The Christmas/End of Year party of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) was filled with excitement, pomp and pageantry as the 84-86 set celebrated its 40th anniversary of leaving the school.
The highlight of the event was the donation of N20 million from the set’s endowment to serve as a seed fund for the national body’s endowment through the National ICOBA. The donation was received by Mr Femi Banwo, President ICOBA International and Mr Kunle Elebute, Chairman ICOBA National Endowment Committee
The 84-86 set’s Board of Trustees Endowment Committee had established an independent endowment in 2009 with a vision to create a lasting legacy for the set. Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the ICOBA 84-86 Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee, Dr. Falil Ayo Abina, expressed his delight, stating that it was a dream come true.
Dr. Abina explained that one of the core lessons learned at Igbobi College was “self-denial.”
He reminisced about the Self-Denial Fund (SDF), where students were taught to contribute their weekly “widow’s mite” to share with the less privileged in society. Dr. Abina emphasized that when the endowment committee conceived the idea of the endowment 15 years ago, they had this legacy in mind, aiming to serve a purpose greater than self.
The donation of N20 million to the national endowment is expected to inspire others within the alumni and other school alumni associations to follow suit.
This generous donation is the first in ICOBA’s history and arguably in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The 13-member endowment committee, also include Demola Ipaye, Fola Laguda, Gbenga Aina, Demola Oladeinde, Jimi Onanuga, Abayomi Alabi, Kwami Adadevoh, Bayo Ayoade, Tunde Sadare, Wole Ogunbajo, Tunji Akinwummi, and Lanre Olusola, worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality and it was indeed mission accomplished for the ‘Nobles Nigerians ‘ as Igbobians are called.
The recent US presidential election should be praised for its credibility and peaceful conduct. The election serves as a model for Nigeria, highlighting the importance of free, fair and transparent polls, according to the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media, Mr. Victor Udoh
The US election saw Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, emerge victorious over Democrat, vice president Kamala Harris. Trump secured 270 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s votes.
While congratulating Trump on his victory, Udoh noted that the election’s smooth process, devoid of issues like ballot box snatching, violence and technical glitches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral process often faces challenges, including delays, vote-buying and disputes over results, he lamented. Udoh emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from the US example, ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
He said: “Nigerians and the international community monitored the outcomes of the US election. You could see that the US electoral process demonstrates the value of credible and peaceful elections, which experience Nigeria can draw lessons from to improve its own electoral system.
“By embracing transparency, accountability and peaceful conduct, Nigeria can strengthen its democracy and ensure governance that truly represents the people’s will.”
Udoh, a publicist and motivator, pointed out that learning from the US experience, Nigeria can address its electoral weaknesses and foster a more robust democracy, which in turn, can lead to better governance, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria must prioritize electoral reform and transparency to ensure that its citizens’ voices are heard and valued,” he stressed.
He, however, warned that “a second Trump term may have significant implications for global issues like dollar value, immigration, energy and geopolitical stability.”
Victor Udoh is the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media
