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Opinion

Kano As future Headquarters Of Poverty In Nigeria

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Kano State

 

 

By Comrade Mahmud Shawai

 

Kano State is a great state in West Africa, which its history could be traced back to the 7th century or less than that according to historical checks. Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria, its motto is  “Centre of Commerce” in Nigeria.

 

Kano produced gigantic business tycoons in the past and is still producing.

Late Alhaji Alhassan Dantata, a grandfather of African richest man, Aliko Dangote was an indigene of Kano State,  a renowned business tycoon who was into the business of “kola nuts and groundnuts,” until his death he was the wealthiest man in West Africa.

 

Alh. Aliko Dangote GCON is an indigene of Kano who is a  business magnate and philanthropist. He is the wealthiest person in Africa and the richest Black person in the world.

 

With these two people and many others not mentioned, we can conclude that Kano State is a center of business not only in Nigeria but, in the whole African continent.

 

Unfortunately, the Kano of today is not what it was in the past. The riches and prosperity are continuously diminishing though, the pace differs with the state’s Democratic leadership.

 

A Nigerian based Researcher Malam Ibrahim Ado Kurawa has said “Kano has 7.22 Million poor people together with Jigawa.”

 

He further stated that  “Kano is the home of the first textile industry in Nigeria. Now Kano has 7.22million poor people along with Jigawa with its 5.05 million poor they contribute 15% of Nigeria’s poor people with less than 3% of the National Economy” (Nigerian Tracker).

 

It is obvious that if adjustments are not made these figures will keep multiplying until we reach the apex of poverty and become the epicenter and headquarters of poverty in the country.

 

Five factors that lead to the deterioration of poverty in Kano State.

 

1.Unexpertized Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), Operations: The Agency was established in the year 2011, within the jurisdiction of controlling road and traffic-related problems. But today, the agency is literally a Semi Revenue Generation Department, which focuses on extortion instead of educating the folks on the dos and don’ts of the traffic.

 

Observations show that KAROTA stops a significant number of people from coming to Kano state for business due to their oppressions and intended traps against commuters.

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2.Insecurity: Insecurity today, in Northern Nigeria becomes a daily routine that we sleep and wake up with, more especially terrorism/banditry, kidnapping, and Boko Haram.

 

This led a significant number of people to leave their homes and investments for survival and most of the wholesalers in these states come to Kano for purchasing goods.

 

3.Bad Governance: Kano State is also suffering from poor governance whereby, most of the political leaders are engaging themselves in programs that will promote their names publicly, maximize their wealth and achieve their personal whims without considering the outcome of that particular event.

 

Succinctly, the state is suffering from the deadly fever of misrepresentation. The  State Internal Revenue Service is always and promptly going after businessmen regardless of being small scale or large scale businesses, but unfortunately, the folks don’t get the feedback of what has been generated monthly, talk less of knowing where the revenue is allocated to.

Lack of transparency and accountability as well as misplacement of priorities gave a big blow to the state.

Just as recently, the federal government shared money to various states according to their transparency, accountability, and sustainability in a program named States Fiscal Transparency Accountability and Sustainable Initiatives.

 

Sokoto State which was rated the poorest state in Nigeria in 2021, by the National Bureau of Statistics, has the highest share of approximately six billion and six hundred million, while Kano State that happens to be the “Centre of Commerce” collected the lowest allocation approximately one billion and seven hundred million.

Muhuyi Magaji steps in to address foreign scholarship crisis in Kano

4.Youths Low Self-Esteem in Modern Businesses: Kano youths of today dwell in their past in terms of business, most of them have the low self-esteem to compete with their counterparts in other regions of the country. Most of the Northern youths do not know how to promote their personal businesses on social media as well as improving and maximizing their businesses through educating themselves online to reach the International standard.

 

5.Youth Competition in White-collar Jobs:

The economic growth and development of every society lie on the shoulder of businesses. No, any humble and trustworthy civil servant can compete with businessmen in terms of riches, but most of the youths of today use to abandon their personal businesses and seek jobs under governments and companies.

 

Recommendations

  1. The state’s leadership should create a sustainable economic team that will be designed base on merit and not on political compensation
  2. There should be a continuous awareness for youths to embrace skills acquisitions and endure in nurturing their small businesses till they reach an appreciable stage.
  3. There must be synergy between large scale businessmen and small scale entrepreneurs. The former should have sympathy over the latter.
  4. Leaders should know that the offices they are holding are privileges for them to control and manage the wealth of the led, not fundamental rights to maximize their personal wealth.
  5. KAROTA, should be restructured and coordinated to operate within its jurisdictions.

 

Comrade Mahmud Shawai is the chairman North -West Youth Awareness Foundation

Opinion

NBA President Misinformed On the suspension of Live Political Broadcast in Kano

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It is with grave concern and deep disappointment that we feel obliged to respond to the recent statement credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, entitled “Kano State Government Cannot Usurp NBC’s Role or Gag Free Speech.” While the title may project the image of a principled and objective stand, however the content reveals a shocking lack of due diligence, restraint, and national responsibility expected from the leader of the Nigeria’s foremost legal association

For the NBA President to issue such a sweeping condemnation against the Kano State Government without verified facts, direct engagement, or even a formal inquiry is not only premature but shamefully unprofessional. We are therefore compelled to ask: Has the NBA reached out to the Kano State Government for clarification? Did the NBA receive any official complaint from its Kano branch or media stakeholders within the state? Or is this simply a desperate attempt to strike a public outrage, create unnecessary tension, or project NBA as a concerned stakeholder

It is a well-established fact that the purported “ban” on live political programming was not a directive from the Kano State Government, but a resolution made by the Media Executives’ Forum during its quarterly meeting that was attended by stakeholders who understand the Kano media landscape and local sensitivities. The aim was to curb rising recklessness, disrespectful, insensitive, and inflammatory commentary that could incite unrest, but not to suppress free speech.

It is, therefore, deeply disturbing for the NBA President to portray the situation as an assault on constitutional freedom, particularly without making any effort to verify the facts.

For someone of his stature, issuing such sensational and unfounded statements is not only misleading, damaging on the integrity of this high esteemed body, but also dangerously reckless.

Statements like these risk inflaming public sentiment, undermining trust in institutions, and provoking unnecessary unrest in an otherwise peaceful state. The NBA’ s president hasty statements on the suspension of live political broadcast in Kano’ is unwarranted, shameful, and potentially destabilizing.

More troubling, however, is the NBA’s deafening silence on truly urgent national crises. Where was the NBA when scores of innocent Kano citizens lives were massacred at Oromi in Edo State? Did NBA issue even a sympathy message to the family, Kano people or the Government of Kano over the unfortunate incident?
Where was NBA when ethnic killings ravaged Plateau State, and what did NBA do to hold those responsible accountable?
Why has the NBA remained mute on the rise of kidnappings and killings that have crippled Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, leading to the death of innocent souls, displacement and economic collapse

What is the NBA’s position on the constitutional chaos and robbery of democratic rights of over four million Rivers State people, whose mandates were snatched under the gun to State of Emergency? And how about the disturbing actions in the National Assembly where critical decisions are being made without broad consultation?

Is the NBA president selective in choosing which issues to address ignoring national emergencies while rushing to comment on unverified state-level development? Such a skewed and reactionary approach raises questions about the motives behind this approach. Is this an attempt to politicize the NBA or to undermine Kano State for some other hidden agendas?

It is both ironic and unfortunate that the NBA, which should be a moral compass and a guardian of justice, has instead chosen the path of propaganda and half-truths. The NBA president must resist the urge to play to the gallery or risk reducing the association’s credibility to mere political noise.

We call on the NBA Executive Council, through its Ethics and Privileges Committee, to urgently investigate and address this unprofessional and inflammatory behaviour. If no disciplinary action is taken within 72 hours, we may be forced to conclude that the NBA, under its current leadership, is complicit in attempts to destabilize Kano State. We will not hesitate to pursue legal action for defamation of character and for inciting unnecessary tension in our dear state.

Signed:
Tijjani Sarki,
Secretary General,
Eye on Kano Initiative

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Opinion

Nigeria’s Democracy on the line as politicians wield media outlets

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By Alhassan A. Bala

As the Fourth Realm of the state as well as the known watchdog of society, a media house is an entity that delivers news, information, or entertainment to the public through various channels.

Nowadays, these channels can include traditional media like newspapers, magazines, radio, and television, as well as newer platforms like websites, social media, and online video platforms.

Therefore, a media outlet acts as a bridge between creators of content and the audience and shoulders the burden of presenting such contents as truthful as they are.

Suffice it to say, however that when a Nigerian politician acquires a radio, newspaper or a broadcast station, he/she is not merely diversifying his/her business portfolio; rather he/she is ostensibility purchasing a direct influence over our national conversation.

As more of our elected officials and political elites secure ownership stakes in media outlets across Nigeria, we witness a dangerous blurring lines between those making policy decisions and those tasked with scrutinising them. This troubling trend poses a serious threat to our still-maturing democracy.

As a journalist that started the carrier with a privately-own media organisation, who later moved to an international media organisation and having covered Nigerian politics for over a decade, I’ve observed this pattern with growing alarm: acquisition is followed by subtle editorial shifts, culminating in the transformation of once-credible news organisations into partisan mouthpieces that serve their owners’ political ambitions.

The evidence surrounds us daily. Major broadcast networks linked to prominent political figures consistently frame national issues to advance specific political agendas. Several newspapers owned by serving or former governors remain conspicuously silent on corruption allegations against their proprietors. Media houses connected to ruling party stalwarts reliably amplify government achievements while downplaying policy failures. Meanwhile, opposition-owned outlets focus exclusively on criticising the government without offering constructive alternatives.

The damage extends beyond mere partisan bias. Journalists working for politically-owned media houses practice self-censorship to protect their livelihoods. Investigations into corruption involving politically-connected figures mysteriously disappear. Critical national issues like security challenges in the North receive shallow coverage shaped by owners’ interests rather than public welfare.

This represents a fundamental corruption of journalism’s essential role in our society. Some argue the proliferation of online media will solve this problem that Nigerians will recognise bias and find alternative sources. This underestimates how information environments function, particularly in a country where digital literacy and media literacy remains uneven and data costs limit many citizens’ access to diverse news sources.

The economic realities make matters even worse. Independent journalism in Nigeria operates under extreme financial pressure, while politician-owned media houses benefit from government advertising, exclusive access to information, and sometimes, protection from regulatory scrutiny.

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission and other regulatory bodies often find themselves powerless against media operations backed by powerful political interests. This creates an impossibly uneven landscape for truly independent voices to survive.

What’s at stake isn’t merely abstract journalistic principles. It’s Nigeria’s future as a functional democracy. When politicians control the narratives about their own performance, they effectively shield themselves from accountability. This undermines the very foundation of representative governance that Nigerians fought so hard to establish after decades of military rule.

Consider how this affected our last general elections. Media houses aligned with different political interests presented completely different versions of reality. Facts became malleable, election results contested not based on evidence but on media narratives crafted by politically-owned outlets. How can Nigerians make informed electoral choices when the information environment is so thoroughly polluted by political interests?

Let me be clear about what must change: First, we need stronger enforcement of existing media ownership transparency laws by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Nigerians deserve to know who truly owns the media they consume. Second, the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission must become truly independent, free from political interference when making regulatory decisions. Third, we need specific legislation limiting political figures’ ownership stakes in media enterprises.

Most importantly, we need civic education that helps Nigerians critically evaluate news sources and recognise when political interests shape coverage. And we must support the few remaining independent media organisations through subscriptions and advocacy.

Some will dismiss these concerns as partisan; they’re not. This problem transcends party lines and affects both APC and PDP aligned media equally. Whether media houses serve ruling party interests or opposition agendas, the fundamental issue remains: the corruption of journalism’s essential function as a check on power.

A Nigeria where politicians control significant portions of the media landscape is like a courtroom where judges take instructions from defendants. The appearance of democratic process remains, but the substance of accountability cannot survive. If we value the Nigeria our founding fathers envisioned, a true federation of informed citizens capable of self-governance we must demand information systems that serve the public, not political paymasters.

The choice before us is stark: accept a future where political elites manipulate our understanding of national challenges, or fight for independent journalism that pursues truth regardless of who holds power. Nigeria’s democratic experiment depends on choosing wisely.

 

Alhassan A. Bala is the founder/Editor of Alkalanci, a fact-checking and media literacy platform, writes from Abuja and can be reached at editor@alkalanci.com

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Opinion

How Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf Revolutionizes Trade Investment, Commerce and Business Environment in Kano

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By Muhsin Alhassan

Before taking the mantle of leadership as Governor of Kano state, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf developed a clear vision of industrialization, taking cognisance of the business and economic viability of Kano in the Northern region.

For centuries, Kano has remained a major economic centre in the African region, a vital hub for Trans-Saharan trade, facilitating the exchange of goods like kola nuts, cloth, and leather for salt, weapons, and manufactured goods.

Governor Abba Yusuf’s broad understanding of commerce, trade, investment opportunities and creating an enabling environment for corporate entities to strive left no one in doubt about his unwavering commitment to rebuild and rebrand the economic potential of the ancient city to compete with industrial and megacities in Africa.

On assumption as Chief Executive of the state, Governor Yusuf, who had earlier set his eyes on target to visualize the vision as conceptualised in his blueprint and campaign promises hinged on industrialization and commerce.

In the blueprint, the award-winning Governor on education and empowerment planned to create an enabling environment for Kano to be ranked highest on ease of doing business and support micro, small and medium enterprises for wealth creation as well as reviving moribund industries and businesses in the state.

To execute the huge mandate, Governor Yusuf searched for the right man for the
job and rightly settled for the choice of one of his confident and former Chief of Staff, Alh. Shehu Sagagi, whose wealth of experience in both public and private business ecosystems, speaks volumes of capacity and competency.

With a clear mandate to turn around the system, ‘Goni’ Sagagi immediately swung into action, injecting a breath of fresh air into trade, commerce, industries and bilateral investment environment, leaving no stone unturned to make Kano an attraction and destination for unlimited business opportunities.

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Goni Sagagi, a strong torchbearer of Governor Yusuf’s mandate in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, has made a significant impact and recorded success, giving the business environment a facelift.

For the first time in history, the Ministry approved the establishment of a private export processing zone in the two senatorial zones to widen the ease of doing business in Kano. The new zone will also serve side by side in trade and investment opportunities with the existing Federal Government trade zone.

Another giant stride recorded by Governor Abba Yusuf under the ministry was the approval for the resuscitation of the 44 garment centres abandoned by the last administration for eight years. With the reopening of the garment clusters, the centres have opened a new vista of training and job opportunities to over 10,000 youths.

Similarly, the Ministry of Investment under Sagagi constituted a technical committee for the establishment and promotion of a commodity exchange market to boost trade and commerce that will facilitate access to agricultural produce to the international market.

Sagagi has also opened up an additional common facility centre for shoe and bag making to accommodate more women entrepreneurs, making them self-reliant and reducing poverty and gender-based violence in Kano.

Again, part of the success stories recorded under Sagagi since he took over as Commissioner at the Ministry was the idea of the Ramadan Trade Fair, the first of its kind that brought the business community in the commodity market and traders across the major markets together to sell their products at largely discounted cost.

The gesture came timely enough to offer succour and intervention to a large number of middle and low-class earners to provide for their families. The initiative was timely when prices of foods were hitting the ceiling.

Still in the days under review, Alh. Shehu Sagagi engaged market leadership and settled disputes as well as embarking on a solidarity visit to the business environment.

The Ministry was able to, under the government Economic Policy Initiative, introduce policies for hiring local workers against exploitation. The government had also approved the setting up of an IT unit in the ministry.

In the interim, Goni Sagagi has concluded necessary plans to upgrade infrastructure in local marketplaces like Tarauni, Sheka, Gyadi-Gyadi, and others. The Ministry is also committed to elevating the Danbatta, Wudil, and Kura weekly market to bi-weekly spending to upscale trade volumes.

Nevertheless, Goni Sagagi has repositioned the mission and strategies on how to monitor and broaden the scope of business opportunities and committed to attracting investors.

With the opportunity afforded by Governor Abba Yusuf to serve the good people of Kano, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce has renewed vigour to go the extra mile to build a conducive atmosphere for the Kano economy to flourish.

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