The Member representing Kiru/Bebeji constituency, Kano and Chairman House Committee on Housing and Habitat Dr Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa has called for an urgent reconciliation between former Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso and Umar Ganduje amidst their lingering feud.

Jibrin who described the situation as unfortunate and a setback for Kano State, made the call on Thursday in an interview with Freedom Radio monitored by Daily Trust. He charged all well-meaning citizens of Kano to join hands together in reconciling the two political leaders for the betterment of the state.

According to him, the two political leaders and long-time friends have excelled in their political careers. While Kwankwaso started in the Kano State Civil Service and later became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, rising through the ranks to become two term Governor, Minister of defence, Senator, Ambassador, presidential Aspirant and Candidate who remains a potential future president or Vice President; Ganduje was on the other hand a civil servant, Director in FCT, Commissioner, Deputy Governor, Executive Secretary, two term Governor and now the Chairman of the ruling party.

“Not everybody will be chosen by God to hold these offices,” Jibrin quipped. They have both been blessed in a special way by God.

Speaking further, he said, “whoever is aware of what is happening in Kano knows that the genesis will not be unconnected to the lingering feud between Kwankwaso and Ganduje. Everybody knows we are all NNPP and disciples of Senator Kwankwaso and his movement Kwankwasiyya. But It is an obligation upon some of us to force a reconciliation between the duo.

“Whether they like it or not, the issue of politics is something different, it is their choice but as Muslims we have a duty to do the right thing by reconciling them.

“They were friends for a long time, and they started good things together but what is happening between them is sad and painful. This is not a time to open old wounds but a time to embrace a future of peace, unity, tranquility, progress and development.

” We are already working hard towards that but iam calling on all of us that believes in this reconciliation efforts to come together and make it a reality. Let us see Kwankwaso attending the wedding of Ganduje’s daughter and Ganduje attending the wedding of Kwankwaso’s son. They should stand for each other in times of happiness and sadness. Forget about seeing them in the same political party, that’s their choice.

“I don’t have anything personal on this but it is the right thing and for those people who don’t want to see a reconciliation between Kwankwaso and Ganduje, May Allah guide them to the right path,” he concluded.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has endorsed the Tax Reform Bills, recommending that there should be no increase in the VAT rate and offering significant recommendations.

”The Forum endorsed a revised Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing formula to ensure equitable distribution of resources:

50% based on equality,
30% based on derivation, and
20% based on population.

”Members agreed that there should be no increase in the VAT rate or reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time, to maintain economic stability. The Forum advocated for the continued exemption of essential goods and agricultural produce from VAT to safeguard the welfare of citizens and promote agricultural productivity.

”The meeting recommended that there should be no terminal clause for TETFUND, NASENI, and NITDA in the sharing of development levies in the bills.

“The meeting supports the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly that will culminate in. the eventual passage of the Tax Reform Bills.”
– AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum

Amid growing concerns about a rumored outbreak of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, the Kano State Government has urged residents to remain calm and report any suspected cases to the relevant authorities. This appeal was made following a recent incident involving the disease.

The rumors began after a report surfaced that in December 2024, a young man from Gwale LGA purchased a duck from Janguza market in Tofa LGA and introduced it to his stock, which included hens, guinea fowls, and chickens. The man noticed that his birds were showing respiratory distress, and subsequently, 35 out of his 50 birds died. He then took samples to the Gwale veterinary clinic for diagnosis, and in the first week of January 2025, the bird flu virus was confirmed in the samples.

Upon receiving the results, the State Ministry of Agriculture took immediate action by sealing the affected area, depopulating the remaining chickens, and decontaminating the compound. The ministry also decontaminated the premises selling live birds in Janguza market and sensitized sellers on the effects of bird flu.

In a press release from the Ministry of Health’s public relations unit, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, urged residents to remain calm, stating that the situation was not severe enough to be declared an outbreak. “The ministry is on top of the issue and taking proactive measures to confront the disease to contain its negative effect before it becomes deadly,” Dr. Yusuf said.

Due to the fact that bird flu can infect humans and cause significant health issues, Dr. Yusuf convened a meeting with the Emergency Preparedness Response and One Health committees, which include representatives from the ministries of agriculture, environment, and water resources, as well as partners, to discuss and strategize ways to address the situation.

“For now, this is what we have been doing. Meetings will be held every week with the stakeholders, and the public will be regularly informed about the issue,” Dr. Yusuf stated. He emphasized that surveillance would be intensified in every LGA, especially among poultry and other bird rearers, with reports being sent to the committees on a daily basis to inform Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the situation.

The commissioner explained that symptoms of bird flu include fever, mucus, and redness of the eyes. He urged poultry rearers to be vigilant and act as the first line of surveillance to safeguard their flocks and report any unhealthy conditions of their birds to relevant authorities for timely action.