The Ummah for Earth Alliance, in partnership with the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Bayero University Kano (BUK), has launched a Hausa-language version of the Green Guide for Hajj and Umrah to promote environmentally responsible pilgrimage among Nigerian Muslims.

Speaking at the launch held at the Center for Dryland Agriculture, Professor Aliyu Salisu Barau of BUK’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences welcomed guests and emphasized the urgency of ecological awareness during Hajj. “As Muslims, we must reflect on how to perform Hajj responsibly, especially considering recent climate challenges,” he said, citing the deaths of over 1,300 pilgrims in 2023 due to extreme heat and 51-degree temperatures recorded at Masjid al-Haram during the 2024 pilgrimage.

Prof. Barau also noted that over 300 million litres of treated sewage are flushed daily into the Red Sea, underlining the environmental pressure the holy cities face during pilgrimage seasons. “This guide has been introduced in other languages like Malay and Hindi, but Nigeria—being among the top contributors of pilgrims—deserves one in Hausa,” he added.

Rianne Ten Veen, a representative of Ummah for Earth, highlighted that the alliance comprises over 50 organizations worldwide, working toward environmentally conscious Islamic practices. “Nigeria is leading in this space, and we are advocating for policy changes through initiatives like the Islamic Finance for Earth campaign,” she said.

Dr. Saidu Ahmad Dukawa, representing the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), expressed appreciation for the collaboration with BUK. “We’re proud to support this initiative that ties faith with environmental stewardship,” he said.

Book reviewer, Professor Murtala Uba, noted that Hausa is the tenth most spoken language globally and the most spoken in West Africa. “This 46-page guide shows how environmental values are embedded in Hajj rituals,” he said. He praised the simple, clear language and symbolic green and white cover but pointed out some errors. “For example, on page six, ‘ku guji’ was incorrectly written as ‘kugudi,’ and some Qur’anic verses like Wala tubazzir tabzeera were not fully contextualized to reflect broader meanings.”

Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil, Chairman of the Kano Council of Ulama, stressed that protecting the environment is integral to Islamic conduct. “The Prophet said if the Day of Judgment comes while you’re planting a date, continue planting it,” he noted, adding that managing waste and limiting air pollution are critical during Hajj. “This is why building in Mina is discouraged to allow air circulation,” he explained.

He also emphasized the role of human behavior in environmental degradation. “If you want to clean the environment, you must first purify human conduct,” he said, citing Islamic teachings on health, hygiene, and moderation during Hajj.

Professor Amina Mustapha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at BUK, closed the event by stating that universities must be at the forefront of knowledge dissemination. “Translating this guide into Hausa is critical, given the number of Hausa speakers who travel for Hajj annually,” she said.

NIGERIAN TRACKER reports that the guide encourages eco-conscious behaviors such as avoiding excessive water use during ablution, not littering, minimizing carbon footprints, and respecting animal and plant life—all rooted in Islamic teachings.

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has commenced its nationwide Cultural Reorientation Programme, beginning with a landmark market activation event held on Wednesday 21st May 2025 at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

CREDICORP, established under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is a national institution working to democratize access to consumer credit for all hardworking Nigerians. Through its mandate, the Corporation enables Nigerians to acquire essential goods and services—such as locally assembled vehicles, solar solutions, and home improvement products—on credit, rather than relying on limited cash-based transactions.
This campaign represents the third pillar of CREDICORP’s national strategy Cultural Reorientation which complements the Corporation’s other pillars, Infrastructure and Capital. In the last year this has already been demonstrated through the rollout of impactful initiatives such as Project S.C.A.L.E (Securing Consumer Access for Local Enterprises), which channels consumer credit toward the purchase of goods and services from local vendors and manufacturers to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic industries; the C.A.L.M. Fund (Credit Access for Light and Mobility), which provides credit for CNG vehicle conversions and solar home systems; and YouthCred, a national programme offering responsible, affordable credit to young Nigerians at the very start of their economic lives beginning with 100,000 NYSC members.
Cultural Reorientation is CREDICORP’s effort to shift long-standing perceptions around credit—helping Nigerians see it not as a trap, but as a tool for growth. The programme reorients the public through a mix of community training sessions, digital sensitization campaigns, and on-ground activation events designed to promote responsible borrowing and financial literacy. It also engages financial institutions, encouraging a transition from traditional collateral-heavy models to more inclusive credit assessment methods that better reflect the realities of everyday Nigerians.

Participants at the activation were sensitized on:
What consumer credit is and how it works, including both interest-based and non-interest financing options.
The difference between responsible credit use and harmful debt.
The long-term value of building and maintaining a verifiable credit history.
How CREDICORP partners with financial institutions both traditional and non-interest providers to expand access to affordable and culturally appropriate credit solutions.
The event featured live testimonials from beneficiaries, as well as pre- and post-event questionnaires designed to measure shifts in public sentiment and understanding. Leading the event was His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, who was joined by representatives from the Kano State Government, alongside leaders of market associations, trade cooperatives, and Participating Financial Institutions.

This first activation marks the beginning of a national conversation one that positions consumer credit not as a burden, but as a tool for economic mobility, and improved quality of life.

Further activations are scheduled to take place across the nation in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.credicorp.ng.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the sum of N6.8 billion for the construction of the Dansoshiya Dam and Irrigation Infrastructure Project in Kiru Local Government Area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued to the press by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, who said the project was part of the administration’s commitment to boosting agriculture and ensuring food security across the state and beyond.

According to Adam, while Kiru and neighboring Bebeji Local Government Areas are the immediate beneficiaries, the project is expected to have far-reaching impact across all 44 local governments of Kano State. “Other states in Nigeria will also benefit from the resulting increase in commodity farm produce and mechanization, similar to what is seen in Kura’s rice market and the Gafan agricultural hub,” he said.

The Dansoshiya Dam, once completed, is projected to have a storage capacity of 3.1 billion litres of water. Adam explained that approximately 1,000 hectares of land have been earmarked for irrigation, with 500 hectares slated for development in the initial phase of the project.

He added that between 1,000 and 3,000 farmers are expected to directly benefit from the irrigation scheme during the first phase alone. “This initiative will not only empower our farmers but also enhance agricultural productivity, generate employment, and contribute to the state’s economic growth,” the adviser stated.

Adam noted that while the duration of the project will depend on the terms agreed upon with the construction company, the nature of the work—especially the requirement for intensive compaction and engineering precision—necessitates ample time to ensure durability and quality.

Ibrahim Adam said the Dansoshiya Dam project is one of the key infrastructure initiatives under Governor Yusuf’s administration aimed at reviving Kano’s agricultural potential and expanding access to irrigation for year-round farming.