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News Analysis: Between Governor Kabiru Gaya and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso—Who Established Kano State’s First University?

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Former Governor's Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya in a handshake :Photo Credit Baba Halilu Dantiye

 

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

There has been debate in the online media space in Kano about the actual founder of Kano State’s first owned university, the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology.

During the aborted Third Republic, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya was sworn in as the Governor of Kano State in January 1992, succeeding Colonel Idris Garba, now retired Major General Idris Garba, as Governor of Kano State.

When Architect Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya became Governor, he hardly appeared at any public function without saying “Insha Allah,” which means “by Allah’s will”—a phrase every Muslim is encouraged to say before embarking on any earthly endeavor.

But keen political observers at the time understood that most of Governor Kabiru Gaya’s pronouncements on the eve of his inauguration were not fulfilled before the military takeover on 17 November 1993.

For example, on the day of his inauguration, Governor Kabiru Gaya told the Kano populace at the Racecourse that he was going to build a large stadium. Until he left Government House, that promise was never fulfilled.

He also promised to separate male and female passengers; at that time, the main means of transportation in Kano and its environs was the Hiace bus. That promise was also never implemented.

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Meanwhile, Kano’s neighboring state, the newly created Jigawa, under its young Governor, Ali Sa’adu Birnin Kudu—a protégé of Alhaji Sule Lamido—hit the ground running and executed several projects. These included establishing the first radio station in Jigawa, whose airwaves could be received in Kano, and the immediate construction of 1,000 houses called Gida Dubu in the Takur area of the state capital.

From then on, Kano people began referring to their governor with the slogan: “Insha Allahu na Kano, Aiki na Jigawa,” meaning, “The pronouncement of Allah’s will is in Kano, while the practical work is going on in Jigawa.”

Now, to the main subject: In 1992, with the proliferation of state-owned universities in the southern part of Nigeria, northern states began following suit. That year, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, the late Governor of Benue State during the same aborted Third Republic, secured a license to establish Benue State University—just as Governor Kabiru Gaya, ruling Kano under the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), secured a license from the National Universities Commission to establish Kano State’s first university.

Nigerian Tracker observed that, unlike Governor Kabiru Gaya of Kano, Reverend Father Moses Adasu, apart from securing the license for Benue State University, ensured that the institution began operations immediately, with structures put in place and academic activities kicking off.

 

Governor Kabiru Gaya also appointed its first Vice-Chancellor, a computer scientist, Malam Hafiz Wali, a Master’s degree holder, and sited its campus at Bagauda, now the Kano Law School. However, when Governor Kwankwaso assumed leadership of Kano in 1999, he changed the site to the present campus in Wudil because the Federal Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo wanted to build a Law School, and Governor Kwankwaso handed the Bagauda site over to the Federal Government for that purpose.

 

 

In contrast, for the Kano State University, apart from obtaining the license, nothing else was done until the military intervened and Governor Kabiru Gaya left office with only the license to his credit.

Nigerian Tracker reports that by the year 2001—eight years after Benue State University had already graduated many students—Kano State, under the leadership of Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in his first tenure, dusted off the license secured by Governor Kabiru Gaya, established structures, and ordered the immediate commencement of academic activities. Today, the institution has been in operation for 24 years, while Benue State University has operated for 33 years.

So, between Governor Kabiru Gaya and Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who actually established Kano State’s first university?

 

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Ganduje’s 12,000 Capacity Independent Hisbah Distributes Application Forms

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Independent Hisba Fisabilillah has launched the distribution of forms to 12,000 persons who were screened in 44 local government areas of Kano State from Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration to the current administration.

The Co-Chairmen of the committee who distributed the forms are former Kano State Commandant of the Hisbah Board during Ganduje’s tenure, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Ibn Sina, and Director-General of the National Productivity Centre, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, in Kano.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this, saying that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the tenure of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he was reluctant to implement Islamic Shari’a law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah will work in collaboration with the security agencies and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of Almighty God.

And as the committee explained, the Nigerian Constitution allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

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Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Chairman and Co-Chairman of the committee, Sheikh Haroon Sani Ibn Seena and Dr. Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, said that if the APC takes power in 2027, they will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, they called on them to go and collect this form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

After the committee formed by the former Kano State Governor and former National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, completed its work, Kano State Governor, Abba Kabiru Yusuf, sought the arrest of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for his alleged intention to launch his own security forces. But the committee that conducted the operation denied this and said that it is the Independent Hisba Fisabilillah.

The committee added that this Independent Hisba has been operating since the time of former Kano Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he did not implement Islamic law at that time.

The committee stated that the Independent Hisba will work in collaboration with the security forces and will not tolerate anything that is against the law and not the work of God.

And as the committee explained, the law of the land allows that anyone found to be acting improperly should be handed over to the appropriate authority.

Therefore, the committee said that if he did so, then according to the Constitution of the country, he did not commit a crime.

Likewise, the committee warns anyone who joined Hisba Kwankwasiyya to leave it or go and collect this Hisba Fisabilillah form, which is free and not for sale.

The Co-Chairman of the committee said that if the APC party takes power in 2027, he will confirm that this person is not a Hisba Fisabilillah and is not a person who is doing the work of God.

Therefore, he calls on them to go and collect the form so that they will not be screened and found to be non-compliant, saying that this is not Hisba Gandujiyya or Hisba Ganduje Foundation, but only Hisba Independent Fisabilillah.

 

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Kano Convenes Prayer Session With 4,444 Reciters

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The Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, organised a special prayer session where 4,444 Qur’anic reciters devoted the entire day to supplications for lasting peace and security across the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.

Kano State has, in recent weeks, experienced incidents of banditry, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, where 15 persons were abducted and one woman was tragically killed.

According to the statement, the prayer session was held at the Government House, Kano, and brought together Qur’anic reciters, Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and government officials to collectively pray against the enemies of the state, especially those responsible for the recent security challenges.

Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the successful gathering and urged the people of Kano, particularly key stakeholders, to support the government’s commitment to addressing insecurity, stressing that banditry does not distinguish between political affiliation, social status, or community.

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He recalled that the ancient city of Kano and its environs have historically enjoyed divine protection, noting that the administration will continue to embrace prayers alongside lawful measures to ensure the sustenance of peace and tranquillity.

The Governor also appealed to residents to engage in personal prayers, especially during the late hours of the night, for lasting peace and stability in Kano State and across the country.

Governor Yusuf further commended the security agencies for their continuous support and sacrifices, emphasising that cooperation between the agencies and the present administration remains cordial and effective.

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, thanked Almighty Allah for the successful prayer gathering and called on the people of Kano to remain united in supporting government efforts toward restoring peace for the collective good.

The Emir also appreciated Governor Yusuf’s recent visit to affected communities alongside heads of security agencies, describing the action as timely and reassuring.

Sheikh Muhammad Sani Ashir led the prayers.

Leaders of various Islamic sects, including Sheikh Tijjani Bala Kalarawi, Sheikh Dr. Muhammad Sani Ashir, Sheikh Adam Abba Koki, Sheikh Bazallah, Sheikh Nasir Kabara, Sheikh Abdullahi Uwaisu Madabo, Sheikh Dr. Mujitaba Abdulkadir Bauchi, and Gwani Lawi Gwani Dankillori Maiduguri, emphasised the urgent need for continuous prayers to overcome the security challenges facing the state.

They commended Governor Yusuf for combining physical security efforts with spiritual interventions, describing the approach as bold, holistic, and reassuring to the people of Kano.

 

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Soldiers Toppled President Talon of Benin

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Toppled President Talon of Benin: Photo Credit AFP Via BBC

 

Soldiers in the West African nation of Benin have announced on national TV that they have ousted President Patrice Talon and seized power.

A message from the French embassy in Benin said gunfire had been reported near the residence of the president in the main city of Cotonou.

The soldiers also announced a suspension of the constitution, the closure of all land borders as well as the country’s airspace.

According to their statement, Lieutenant-Colonel Tigri Pascal will be leading a military transition council.

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They justified their actions by criticising President Talon’s management of the country

Talon, 67, is due to step down next year after completing his second term in office, with elections scheduled for April.

A businessman known as the “king of cotton”, he first came to power in an election in 2016. He had promised not to seek a third term and had already named a successor.

The French Embassy has urged its citizens to stay indoors for their safety.

This apparent coup in Benin comes just over a week after Umaro Sissoco Embaló was overthrown as president in nearby Guinea-Bissau.

In recent years, there have been several coups in West Africa, including in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali and Niger, heightening fears that the security of the region could worsen.

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