Residents of Lokon Kango in the Mandawari area of Kano metropolis have called on the government to intervene over the deplorable state of drainage channels in their community, which they say has led to the collapse of two houses.

Mallam Anas Tanga, one of the coordinators of community sanitation efforts in the area, said residents have been doing their best to clear the drains, but their efforts are not enough.

“We are doing our best, alongside other youths. For years, we have been involved in clearing these drains,” he said. “But the extent of the damage is such that even after we do the work, it doesn’t take long before the problem returns.”

On his part, a community elder, Mallam Abubakar, told our reporter how the poor drainage system contributed to the collapse of at least two houses.

“These houses you see here collapsed as a result of the lack of proper drainage,” he said. “Anytime there is heavy rain, especially at night, we live in fear.”

He appealed to relevant stakeholders to come to their aid.

Malama Ladidi, one of the residents whose home is flooded during the rainy season, also lamented her situation.

“The rainy season is terrible for us and our children,” she said. “We go through a lot of hardship. We don’t even sleep until we have drained the water that enters our rooms. This is a big problem. The youths are trying their best, but the government must step in.”

Finally, one of the youths in the community spoke about the role they played during elections, only to be neglected afterwards.

“All our neighboring areas have had this work done, except us. We are really suffering,” he said. “We helped bring this government to power. We contributed, but now we are not benefiting from anything.”

The residents said they had earlier reported the problem to authorities, particularly the Gwale Local Government, but nothing had been done.

In an effort to get the government’s side of the story, we visited the office of the Gwale Local Government Chairman, Hon. Abubakar Mu’azu Mojo. However, he was not available.

We also tried to reach him by phone and text message, but as of the time of filing this report, we had not received any response from him.

The executive governor of Kano State Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has visited Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano to assess the quality of healthcare services being provided to residents and commend health workers for their commitment to saving lives.

The governor made the visit on Friday night as part of his routine inspections of healthcare facilities to assess service delivery and observe first-hand how patients are being attended to, particularly during night hours.

During the visit, Governor Yusuf inspected patients receiving treatment at the hospital and toured different sections of the facility accompanied by the doctor on duty and other members of staff.

The governor observed the activities of health workers and assessed the manner in which patients were being attended to at the time of his visit.

He commended the staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for what he described as their dedication to providing healthcare services to the people of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf also acknowledged the contribution of private healthcare providers to the state’s healthcare system, stressing the importance of collaboration between government and private-sector operators in improving healthcare delivery.

The visit, according to the governor’s entourage, demonstrated that the administration’s concern for healthcare extends beyond government-owned facilities to private hospitals and other health institutions contributing to the wellbeing of residents.

Governor Yusuf thanked the management and staff of Best Choice Specialist Hospital for their efforts and commitment to saving lives.

As a gesture of encouragement, the governor presented the hospital staff with a special award in recognition of their service and dedication.

The governor’s visit also provided an opportunity to appreciate the role of private healthcare providers in complementing government efforts to expand access to medical services across Kano State.

Best Choice Specialist Hospital, located at Tal’udu Junction, opposite Sheikh Al Rayyan School in Kano, operates round the clock and provides healthcare services through qualified doctors and other medical personnel across its various departments.

The governor’s inspection forms part of his administration’s broader emphasis on monitoring healthcare delivery and ensuring that residents receive appropriate medical attention in both public and private health facilities across the 44 local government areas of Kano state.

By Abba Anwar

When President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, assigned the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, PhD, to represent him at an all-important International Conference on Security and Development in Abuja recently, it is a clear demonstration of trust and confidence from Mr President.

It was the International Conference on National Security and Sustainable Economic Development, organised by the Muslim World League in collaboration with Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS). Senator Jibrin’s choice to represent President Tinubu underscores the President’s belief in the Senator’s reliability, depth, and commitment to security, national unity and the Renewed Hope Agenda.

At a time when diverse religious groups, both intra and inter, started discussing national issues around the security of the land, Presidency concurs with the DSP model of securing our nation. Representing a President of a nation, in such events, speaks volumes about DSP’s relevance in the security of our motherland, Nigeria.

It is without any doubt to understand that, President Tinubu must have deeper knowledge about DSP’s commitment to the fight against insecurity disturbing the nation. Especially North West, where the Senator comes from. Security agencies are in the best position to catalog his unmatched contributions in the sector.

The fact that the Conference brought together participants from across the country and beyond, and was competently attended by prominent religious, traditional and political leaders from different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, it showcases what Senator Jibrin means to Nigerian nation state. In one and indivisible Nigerian project.

It also shows the level of confidence President Tinubu has in DSP’s capacity, composure, and loyalty. It, at the same time, positions him as a trusted voice of the Presidency on sensitive national matters. Recognition of patriotic competence of the Senator from the top most occupier of the ladder.

Speaking for the Commander-in-Chief is not a joke at all. We can all see how DSP conveyed Tinubu’s “unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security”.
It takes a great mind of meaningful substance to be given a task to address religious, traditional and political leaders on a matter as sensitive as security on behalf of the C-in-C.

It clearly demonstrates that Mr President trusts him to handle delicate, multi-faith, multi-ethnic and multi-faceted audiences without fear of misrepresentation. A stamp of greatness and persistent commitment.

Distinguished Senator Jibrin was able to link security to development and tied both to the “Renewed Hope Agenda.” An attestation that he understands and can articulate the President’s policy direction beyond just reading a speech. He’s aligned with the vision.

On diplomatic and statesmanship qualities, as the Conference was global in nature, with Muslim World League and Nigeria as the host country, sitting in for the President,
shows that Tinubu trusts him to project Nigeria positively on the global stage.

This is diplomacy. It is clear for all that, DSP has for long been a global citizen. Does my reader remember him as the First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament? Whose work and achievements are evident even beyond the showers of the country.

It was argued by many that, Jibrin’s role as a bridge-builder and unifier, was the best choice to represent the President in an event like this,
where the audience was of diverse faiths and ethnicities. The message he carried was loud and clear. That, “Government remains committed to preserving our unity despite our differences.”

It is clear for all that, DSP has a history of legislative bridge-building and constituency engagement in Kano and nationally. Some of the feats he achieved are linked to sustainable security for Africa and the world at large. A Pan-Africanist per excellence!

In the space of consistency in leadership from the part of the DSP, ranging from his primary constituency Kano North Senatorial District, to Deputy Senate President to representing Mr President internationally, this is a progression of trust. Which ultimately reinforces the belief that in matters of security and development, the Presidency sees Barau as dependable, reliable and steady.

To demonstrate how global he has been, in his Facebook page, while referring to the Conference, DSP puts, “I further urged them to take advantage of the internationality of the gathering to share diverse experiences that will further contribute to the ongoing debate on searching for viable options for restoring sustainable regional, continental, and global peace in this era of heightened global security turbulence.”

To further show how committed is the President in securing the nation, he said, “I reiterated the President’s unwavering commitment to achieving sustainable security in Nigeria. He remains focused on consolidating the gains being recorded in the security sector and across other critical areas of national development.”

As a leader who understands diplomacy he conveyed to the participants that, “On behalf of the President, I commend the Muslim World League for choosing JIBWIS as a collaborative partner for this important Conference and for selecting Nigeria as the host country for this significant gathering.”

It is therefore important to note that, with responsible political leaders like Distinguished Senator Jibrin, there is every hope for everlasting peace and security in the country. Representing the President in this global Peace Summit, in the face of the current security challenges across the globe sheds more light on the DSP’s capacity in handling delicate national matters.

Which ultimately means, his continued presence and visibility at the national level means a lot in strengthening efforts against insecurity and hopelessness. With DSP at the top, it is rest assured that, fight against insecurity plaguing the world, is being faced with stiffer opposition from the Nigerian government.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 14th August, 2026