The Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has reflected on the past glory and future prospects of Kano during the One Kano Agenda two-day conference on economy and politics held at Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu University.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Faruk Umar Ibrahim, Governor Yusuf emphasized the importance of unity, moral revival, and collective responsibility in restoring Kano’s historic position as a hub of commerce, culture, and education.

Delivering the governor’s message, Ibrahim said: “If we had known what Kano is, we would have kept quiet and listened well.” He recalled a friend’s warning from 40 years ago that a time might come when people would be “ejected from Kano,” stressing the need to follow the “Dambatta way” of resilience and reform.

Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the organizers of the conference, describing the movement as a noble effort deserving the support of all patriotic Kano citizens. He noted that Kano, Nigeria’s most populous state with 65 percent of its population being youth, was once regarded as a paradise and a gathering place for businessmen, scholars, and elites.

He lamented that the state now faces challenges such as enmity among people, lack of mutual support, moral decadence, and drug abuse. “The way out is for Kano people to unite. No one can shape the state except ourselves. We should not fold our arms and allow war to consume us,” he declared.

The governor assured that beginning next year, his administration will embark on fresh projects after fulfilling all campaign promises by December 2025.

On his part the Director General of One Kano Agenda, Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai, welcomed participants and underscored the urgency of economic and political reform. He described Kano as not just a state but the “heartbeat of the northern economy,” urging stakeholders to focus on reviving its economic strength.

Yakasai particularly called on the youth to rise to the occasion, stressing that their contributions are vital to shaping Kano’s future. “In all we do, we have to look at Kano first. We shouldn’t fold our arms and allow people to destroy the state,” he said.

He further highlighted Governor Yusuf’s concern for women, the elderly, and children, noting that the administration is committed to supporting vulnerable groups while confronting the enemies of Kano.

The conference brought together political leaders, academics, and community stakeholders, served as a platform to deliberate on Kano’s economic revival and political stability.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Workers and civil society groups took to the streets across Nigeria on Wednesday in a nationwide protest against rampant insecurity and a deepening economic crisis. The demonstrations, organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), underscore growing public frustration with the state of the nation.

Despite a last-minute meeting between NLC President Joe Ajaero and President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night, the union proceeded with the planned action, citing unresolved critical issues.

The protest follows a December 4 resolution by the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC), which declared the nation’s security situation “alarming and unacceptable.” The union pointed to the November 17 abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State—where two staff members were killed—as a stark example. The NEC strongly condemned the reported withdrawal of security personnel prior to that attack.

In Abuja, protesters gathered at the NLC Secretariat, joined by civil society allies including activist Omoyele Sowore. In Lagos, a large crowd assembled in Ikeja, carrying placards and chanting slogans demanding government action against kidnappings and violent crime. The sentiment was captured by one protester who told News Central TV, “Any kidnapper should be sentenced to death. They should kill them immediately.”

Beyond insecurity, the NLC highlighted a range of unaddressed grievances, including: unresolved agreements with the Federal Government, a crippling rise in the cost of living, and the direct impact of violence on workers’ safety, productivity, and livelihoods.

The union lamented the deaths of numerous members, including teachers, farmers, and artisans, amid what it termed government inaction.

Framing the protest as a constitutional right and civic duty, the NLC aims to mobilise public opinion and compel concrete reforms. In a December 10 notice to its state chapters, the union emphasised peaceful demonstrations and called on the police who were duly notified to protect citizens’ right to assemble.

“Solidarity is our shield,” the union stated, urging authorities to prioritise the safety and welfare of Nigerians above all else.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Ahmed Musa, former Super Eagles captain, has announced his retirement from international football.

The 33-year-old Kano indigene announced his decision in a social media post on Wednesday.

“After a lot of thought, I have decided to retire from international football, bringing to an end almost 15 years with the Super Eagles,” the post reads.

“From the very first call-up, wearing the green and white meant everything to me.

“I was just a young boy when the journey started. I remember being invited at the same time to the U-20, U-23 and the Super Eagles. I was young, still learning, and always travelling, but I never complained. Whenever Nigeria called, I showed up. It was never something I had to think twice about.

“Playing 111 matches for my country is something I hold with deep respect. To become the most capped player in the history of Nigerian football is a great honour. Every time I wore the jersey, I understood the responsibility that came with it.”

Musa said he “gave everything” to the Super Eagles , adding that “football gave me a career and Nigeria gave me meaning.”

Musa made his debut for the Super Eagles at age 17 and went on to become the team’s most capped player.

His spell with the Eagles was filled with excitement, including being part of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON).

Musa also achieved individual milestones with the team, especially in the World Cups. He scored a brace in the group game against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil to become the first Nigerian to score more than one goal at a World Cup.

He crowned his achievement at the following World Cup after scoring another brace against Iceland in Russia. He did not just become the first Nigerian to score in two World Cups but also the country’s leading all-time goal scorer in the competition.

Musa served as the national team captain for a while until recently, when the captaincy was passed to William Troost-Ekong, who is now retired.

After a successful club career in the Netherlands, Russia, England and Saudi Arabia, Musa returned to Kano Pillars, his boyhood club, in 2024 for a third stint. He played a season with the team before he was named the club’s general manager at the beginning of the 2025/26 season.