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Saudi Firm Honours Abba Kabir Yusuf as Best Governor for Outstanding 2026 Hajj Operations

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By Lamara Garba

The Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been honoured with the prestigious Best Governor in Nigeria for the 2026 Hajj Exercise Award by Sana Company, one of the leading Saudi hospitality and service providers responsible for the welfare of pilgrims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The award was presented during a colourful dinner and recognition ceremony held at Iskan, Makkah, where Saudi officials, Hajj administrators, Islamic scholars, and dignitaries gathered to celebrate individuals and institutions that distinguished themselves during this year’s pilgrimage.

Presenting the award, the Head of Sana Company, Alhaji Abdullah Muhammad Hassan, said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf earned the recognition because of his exceptional commitment to the welfare of Kano pilgrims, his administration’s unwavering support for Hajj operations, and the remarkable level of organisation displayed by the Kano contingent throughout the pilgrimage period.

According to him, the conduct of Kano pilgrims and officials stood out among contingents from across Nigeria, reflecting effective leadership, proper orientation, and strict adherence to the regulations and protocols established by Saudi authorities for the smooth conduct of Hajj.

The Saudi-based service provider particularly commended Governor Yusuf for creating an enabling environment that allowed Hajj officials to discharge their responsibilities effectively, resulting in one of the most organised and disciplined pilgrim contingents during the 2026 pilgrimage.

Observers noted that throughout the Hajj season, Kano pilgrims demonstrated commendable discipline and cooperation, while state officials maintained effective coordination in compliance with the Kingdom’s operational guidelines governing pilgrim movement, accommodation, transportation, and welfare services in Makkah, Madinah, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

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The recognition also highlighted the Kano State Government’s sustained investment in pilgrim welfare, including improved administrative support, enhanced communication channels, prompt response to pilgrims’ needs, and close collaboration with Saudi service providers to ensure seamless service delivery.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, explained that Sana Company plays a crucial role in Hajj operations by serving as the custodian of pilgrims’ passports for Nusuk processing while also providing feeding and transportation services during the critical Hajj rites in Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

He described the award as a significant acknowledgement of the collective efforts of the Kano State Government, Hajj officials, religious scholars, and pilgrims themselves, whose cooperation contributed immensely to the success recorded during the exercise.

Matawalle expressed appreciation to the management of Sana Company for recognising the achievements of the Kano delegation and reaffirmed the commitment of the Pilgrims Welfare Board to maintaining high standards in future Hajj operations.

Apart from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, other distinguished personalities honoured at the event included Board Member, Alhaji Sheikh Bashir Arabi; the Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle; and the Amirul Hajj of the Year, the Emir of Gaya, His Royal Highness Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir.

Receiving the award on behalf of Governor Yusuf, the Emir of Gaya and Amirul Hajj, Dr. Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir, conveyed the governor’s appreciation to Sana Company for the recognition.

He noted that the award would further inspire the Kano State Government to continue strengthening pilgrim welfare programmes and improving operational efficiency in line with international best practices and Saudi Arabian regulations governing Hajj administration.

The Emir stated that the recognition was not merely a tribute to one individual but a reflection of the collective dedication exhibited by members of the Kano delegation, who worked tirelessly to ensure that pilgrims performed their religious obligations in a peaceful, orderly, and conducive atmosphere.

The award has been widely viewed as an international endorsement of Kano State’s growing reputation for effective Hajj management, disciplined pilgrim coordination, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of pilgrims in the Holy Land.

For many observers, the honour bestowed upon Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf serves as a testament to the value of purposeful leadership, meticulous planning, and strict compliance with established regulations—qualities that contributed significantly to the successful participation of thousands of Kano pilgrims in the 2026 Hajj exercise.

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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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