₦airaland Forum

Ordinarily, Sabon Gari, a multicultural neighbourhood in Kano State would have been a nation’s pride, but neglect by the government has turned a showpiece neighbourhood into a place where violent crimes have become commonplace. Ojo M. Maduekwe who recently visited the state writes


It was his first day in Kano and he was lost already. He had gone for a walk; his customary habit of absorbing a new location. The cabby that brought him from the airport had told him of a market just straight up the road that linked the street of his hotel, and he was eager to see it. Of course, it was this image of raw gold in Kano already formed in his head that made him eager to visit the market.

On his way back from the market, the landscape had changed and he missed his way. And after trying in vain to locate the hotel, he put a call through to the cabby for a direction. Struggling to pick a word from the cabby’s heavy Hausa accent, all he could grasp from him was ‘new’. With just that one word, he figured out in his mind what to do. He must tell the next person that comes his way that he’s new in Kano. Moments later, he approached a group of men seated beneath a tree and explained to them that he was new in Kano and couldn’t figure out where his hotel was located.
When asked for the name of the hotel, he gave them the only word he had. Then, the men said that the hotel with such name (New) had been demolished months back. But he was lucky; a little boy was among the men. The little boy interjected them to say the hotel has not been demolished. He volunteered a few information.
“I would have left my son to take you to the place but he is only a child and you are a stranger. Considering what’s happening in the North presently, I cannot trust you alone with him. I will join him to go and locate the hotel for you but you will pay our transportation on the return journey. Now, the only reason I am helping you is because you spoke Igbo,” the boys’ father said,

After a failed attempt with the first commercial tricycle driver, they found the hotel. As soon as he paid the fare, tipped the boy’s father and thanked him for his assistance, he turned to go inside the hotel. But he got a word of advice. “Be careful; as soon as it is 7pm do not step out of your hotel,” the boy’s father warned.
A few days later, Sabon Gari was on fire. A bus park located in New Road area of the neighbourhood had been bombed. Then, he remembered the warning he had received while in the neighbourhood the other day.

According to reports, the blast which occurred at about 3pm on Thursday July 24, 2014, was from a high capacity improvised explosive device (IED), hidden in a table-top fridge, concealed in bag, disguised as luggage and dropped off by two men masquerading as travellers. Security officials said one person was killed and more than five others were injured.

While in Kano, he had spoken to a couple of residents in Sabon Gari. One of them, Ismaila Sulaiman, had told him that the spate of bomb blast in Sabon Gari was underreported by the news media. “I can tell you that every day bomb blast occurs in Sabon Gari. The problem is that they are not always reported by journalists.”

Last year March, the same bus park in New Road, Sabon Gari, was attacked by terrorists. Reports were that more than 60 people were killed in that blast, involving five luxury buses. IEDs were alleged to have been kept inside one of the luxurious bus scheduled to leave Kano for Lagos. Eyewitness saw three buses on fire while the remaining two were ripped by the heavy explosion. There were stories of “flying and frying bodies.”
According to Sulaiman, in 2014 alone, there have been series of reported and unreported bomb blasts in Sabon Gari. Middle of May there was a bomb blast that was said to have occurred at about 9pm local time in a crowded entertainment spot in Sabon Gari, killing four people, including a young girl said to be about 12 years.
Witnesses claimed that a car was parked in the middle of the road while its driver left on a motorbike. The bomb blast happened soon afterwards. A Volkswagen Golf said by police to have been used by the bomber, was ripped into pieces. Windows on some of the two-storey buildings lining the street were said to have been smashed.
Known as the ‘Strangers Quarters’ or literally ‘New Town’ in Hausa language, Sabon-Gari in Kano is predominantly occupied by non-indigenes from the Southern part of Nigeria and who are majorly Christians. A visit to the town which is a part of the Fagge Local Government Area of the state would see that it appears Sabon Gari has been abandoned by the government.
Sabon-Gari is both a residential and commercial neighbourhood in Kano State, but it has no government presence. It has long been forgotten, completely with its residents. The residents complain that successive governments have failed to provide them basic necessities and that they suffer frequent attacks from invaders.

Yes, in Sabon Gari, every house and businesses provide their own water, power, while the roads and drainage system remain in dire need of repair. The abandoned nature of the road and drainage is such that the town floods when it rains.
The father who together with his son helped this reporter locate his hotel, said, “About 90 per cent, if not more, of the storey buildings you will find in Sabon Gari belongs to the Igbo’s. Most of the Yoruba’s who once lived here have sold their properties to the Igbo’s.” He said it was due to this that, “Governor Kwankwaso told the Igbo’s to go back to the East; that he would not develop Sabon Gari. That is why the place is like this.”
Sulaiman who is one of the remaining few locals in Sabon Gari said that, “I am from Kano state and to be frank with you, the government has abandoned those staying in Sabon Gari. For over three decades, there has been no development in Sabon Gari. The town is dirty, no light or water and that is not to mention the killings that go on almost every day.”
Edward, another person who wanted just his first name mentioned, rather thinks “The problem with the settlers of Sabon Gari in Kano State is that they have chosen to lock themselves within the area and have refused to visit the rest of Kano. If they do, they would realise that there are other parts of the state that are also very poor.” According to Edward, “Something you should understand is that in the life of any administration, there is only little that a government can do.”
When asked if he felt that the present administration under Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso was biased, Edward said: “Even though I refuse to accept that there is a government conspiracy to keep Sabon Gari underdeveloped, one thing I agree is that governor Kwankwaso is biased in his leadership. I will give you some instances.”
According to Edward, “During former governor Shekarau’s administration, he had a way of running an inclusive government and making sure that all the region and religion in Kano were treated fairly. There were non-indigenes working in the civil service and in the medical and teaching professions.” Edward claims that “Kwankwaso came in and dismantled it because of pressure from the Hausa majority in the state.”
“For the medical professionals, there are not enough indigenous doctors in Kano or the north as a whole. The few indigenous doctors naturally enjoy the benefit of pensions and gratuities but that does not apply to doctors who originated from other states, especially from the South.
“Now, during the time of Shekarau, to keep the doctors from the Southern part of the country, aside their salary, since they were not being paid pensions and gratuities, the governor started paying them 20 per cent of their basic salary every month. But since Kwankwaso came into government three and a half years ago, he has not paid the doctors the agreed 20 per cent basic salary every month.
“As we speak, most if not all the doctors from the South that are in the majority in the state are on the verge of leaving Kano. Some have left already. Funny thing is that this is the same governor that is rumoured to be having a presidential ambition. How can such a man who favours one religion and people above another want to rule Nigeria?”
On her part, Amaka Ezeigbo (also not real names) who is from Abia State said, “I do not know about the directive from Kwankwaso that the Igbo’s should leave Kano and go back to the East, but one thing I know is that once it is election year, you do not want to remain in Kano. Non-indigenes do not stay back in Kano during election year, except they want to be killed by the Northerners.”
When Edward was asked about what Ezeigbo said, he responded by saying, “I do not think that makes sense. There is a man that I know who invested millions of dollars in importing tires from China. Every three months he makes a turnover of about N150 million. Tell me if such a man would because of an election, abandon his business and run to the East?”
But according to Ezeigbo, “Which is more important; is it business, the money they make or their lives? Just visit Kano by next year and observe what I am telling you. Any Igbo man that is sensible and values his life knows that it is not wise to be in Kano during election.”

www.thisdaylive.com/articles/inside-kano-s-neglected-community/185278/

Ali Modu Sheriff, SAS, has caused unimaginable turmoil and turbulence in Borno and to Nigeria as a whole. Each time he comes to town, bombs go off as a sort-of welcome. No one can tolerate him any more in Borno, yet he is the safest man, able to drive solo to places no one else will dare. Borno youth have been begging and begging for the Federal Government of Nigeria, FGN to investigate him. In June-July of 2013, Borno Youth burned down the house of Mala Uthman, a SAS accomplice. He was arrested and saved by the police. Borno youth then proceeded to SAS’ house to burn that down too, but the police blocked them. SAS ran from justice to hide and be safe in Abuja and later Atlanta Georgia. Rather than face justice, he purchased Nigeria’s most expensive private plane. Mala Uthman had in the past been arrested with his car loaded with ammunition.

The Borno Youth for Peace and Restoration of Democracy wrote a passionate letter to President Goodluck Jonathan in which they pleaded he answer to the cry of people of Borno and Nigeria and bring SAS to book. The letter was published as an advertorial in the Daily Trust of Friday, August 1, 2014. In it they pointed to SAS’ role in the genesis of Boko Haram (born as ECOMOG) and passionately requested the president of Nigeria immediately investigate and prosecute him.

The letter is reproduced below:

OPEN LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT DR. GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA GENESIS OF BOKO INSURGENCY IN NIGERIA

With much honour to you, the association of youth for peace and restoration of democracy in Bornu State wishes to forward the above captioned. The Youth for Peace in Bornu State after due scrutiny of the allegation that the Ex-Governor of Bornu State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the alleged mastermind of Boko Haram, insurgency in Nigeria should be investigated.


The rationale for assertion is as follows:

Introduction of ECOMOG:

The so-called ECOMOG were first noticed when Ali Sheriff contested for Governorship candidate in 2003 under the platform of A.P.P. After the emergence of Boko Haram crisis in 2009 when the leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed, many ECOMOG were arrested and killed on involvement in the crisis.

Among the notorious ECOMOG members was Musa popularly known as “DUHU”.

The Ex-Governor Ali Sheriff created a Ministry of Religious Affairs through to which he appointed one of the Boko Haram Leaders, Buji Foi as commissioner of religious affairs. Buji was arrested and died in the hands of security operatives after he confessed as being a member of the sect.

The amazing thing is when Buji Foi was arrested, he urged the security operatives to allow him see Ali Sheriff so that he will discuss some important issue in the presence of security agents. When Sheriff was told his request, he refused to see him and the security operatives subsequently summarily killed him.

Bornu citizens ask the Federal Government why Sheriff was allowed to land at the Maiduguri international airport despite the fact that Muslims intending to go for lesser Haji Umra were not allow to use the airport for their holy trip.

After his 8 years as Executive Governor of Bornu State, he contested for senatorial seat representing Bornu Central Senatorial Seat he was defeated in the election by someone called Ahmed Zannah who is not even popular, nor influential with far distance votes, Ali Sheriff lost the senatorial seat with all his influence in the government. A reasonable man must look for the reason of his defeat.

Upon all the killing of lives and destruction of properties in Bornu State, Ali Sheriff, if he is patriotic citizen of the State must sympathize and commiserate with the people and the government of Bornu State but Ali Sheriff have never commiserate with the people of the State by any means.

Senate Committee on Security has already ordered that the Ex-Governor, Ali Sheriff should be stopped from entering Maiduguri, the state capital since there are lot of allegations against him by Bornu youths which may possible bring crisis in the State.

Similarly, Bornu elders’ forum had once criticised , Ali Sheriff on why accusing fingers are on him, when many governors have come before him. There must be a reason for such assertion.

It could be recalled that the State Chairman of the former, A.N.P.P, Mala Uthman who was an intimate friend to Sheriff was arrested by the civilian JTF after discovering weapons where one of his house was burnt and he was beaten seriously and handed over to security operatives.

Finally , we urged Mr. President and security operatives to join hand together and investigate all the allegations against Ali Sheriff and if found wanting he should be brought to book so that the menace of Boko Haram will be a thing of the past.

Mohammed Abass Chairman Youth For Peace and Restoration of Democracy In Bornu Plot 1059, Sir Kashim Way, Maiduguri Bornu State

Contact number: 09020379102

CC: Minister of Defence

National Security Adviser

Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of Army Staff

I.G of Police

D.G S.S.S

D.G N.I.A


liveofofo.com/63359/borno-youth-submit-passionate-plea-for-fgn-to-investigate-ali-modu-sheriff/

Demburrows: . I believe they are working on that, according to a report from a foreign media, they gonna need the approval of the fed gov to instill the crediting plaform. But there is a rebelling shadowy going on from other money transfer mediums (master card, interswitch visa et al) cos they know the hard competitiveness it entails bringing paypal down here.

Atleast the whole tin meks sense now. The shld try get d approval fast!

Piroo: Foot soldiers = Boko Boys, please don't allow this people to destroy your state, it's us better you leave honorably than spilling blood, we can see what the foot soldiers are doing in his own Kano state

kano state presently is a mess. A theater of bomb blast. probably a product of his foot soldiers.

Absolutely true! If you wait for when the coast will be clear, it probably would be too late by then.

Nigeria's political climate is not for the faint - hearted. One should be ready to fight dirty or get booted. Almakura will be history before he knows what hit him.

We may go true difficult times now but we are pulling it a stronger and more resilient country.

VENTURES AFRICA – Despite Boko Haram’s brutality, global
markets remain attracted to Nigeria. The country was ranked
number one on the Frontier Markets Sentiment Index which tracks
the level of interest by US and European companies in emerging
markets. Twice the numbers of companies were interested in
investing in Nigeria than in Vietnam and Turkey – number two and
three on the list, respectively. Over the past 18 months—during
which of wave of insecurity has emanated out of Northern Nigeria,
positive corporate sentiment has actually increased.
The existential crisis that many observers have predicted has failed
to materialize and corporations continue to explore new
opportunities in the country. Global accounting firm, KPMG has
reported that Nigeria is the number one investment destination
inquiry for the firm.
Digging deeper into the market trends, Nigeria’s continued strong
performance is less mysterious. The attractiveness of Nigeria is
bolstered by significant structural change. In May, Nigeria
surpassed South Africa as Africa’s largest economy, positioning the
country as the true gateway to commercial success on the
continent. Nigeria, with its large and young population, has grown at
around 7 percent for the past three years and is projected to
continue growing at that rate or faster for the coming decade. Rapid
urbanization and the gradual formalization of the labor force will
make Nigeria’s pension funds a formative local (and global) investor
. It has already caught the eye of some global investors. The
country received nearly $6 billion of foreign direct investment in
2013
. Ernst & Young says the country has attracted the most foreign
direct investment in sub-Saharan Africa since 2007.
Adding to this is the potential of unlocking Nigeria’s power sector
through a massive reform push that has been in the works for nearly
a decade. If successful, power privatization in Nigeria will
significantly reduce the cost of business across the economy,
potentially catapulting growth to 15 percent. By doubling current
generating capacity, the privatization may prove to be the single
most impactful reform on the continent in the past 50 years.
However, the positive investment trajectory may not be smooth –
there will be ups and downs. The reduction in Nigeria’s oil
production last year equaled that of the combined production of
Ghana, Congo-Brazzaville, Cameroon and Gabon. Amidst a currency
crisis, yields on Nigeria’s debt has risen substantially over the past
few months, reflecting a degree of uncertainty among some
international investors and concentrating interest in Naira-
denominated debt among local, more risk averse investors. Next
year’s elections will likely intensify this effect and add volatility to
the outlook. Many Nigeria watchers are still reeling from the
controversial suspension of former Central Bank Governor Lamido
Sanusi and the inability of the government to track down the
missing $10 billion.
Nigeria today, with all its complexities, reflects the reality of large,
unwieldy, democratic, emerging markets. The country’s messy
growth reflects the economic and social development of many other
drivers of global growth such as India, Indonesia, Turkey and Brazil.
We remain bullish on Nigeria and continue to help companies do
business in Africa’s most important economy. We believe that
companies that don’t figure out how to do business in Nigeria
through its growing pains will risk missing out on a major source of
global growth.

www.ventures-africa.com/2014/07/nigeria-and-the-complexities-of-growth/

By Abdulsalam Muhammad
Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has faulted his
Nasarawa State counterpart, Umaru Muktar Almakura’s type of
politics, saying it was responsible for his predicament.
According to Kwankwaso, Almakura, currently facing impeachment
launched by Nasarawa lawmakers, is too soft to be governor under
President Goodluck Jonathan.
Kwankwaso told journalists in his office, yesterday, that “you cannot
be a gentleman and hope to survive as governor under the present
dispensation”.
He added, “A gentleman cannot be a good governor, you need to
have so many faces because the game is rough and can’t
accommodate a gentleman”.
The Kano governor said Almakura rebuffed intervention and
expertise to assist him navigate troubled waters, adding: “He is too
soft for my liking.
“On our volition, we suggested to him to allow us mobilise our foot
soldiers. He refused. We also appealed to him to allow us come in
physically. He refused; always distancing himself from such
expertise that would assist him”.
The APC presidential hopeful lamented how Adamawa State fell like
a pack of cards under impeached Governor Nyako, saying the gale
of impeachment across APC controlled states was being instigated
by the Presidency.
Kwankwaso opined that “the whole madness is a wicked
calculations ahead of 2015”, pointing out: “It is not going to assist
the PDP Federal Government retain power. We have had enough of
this impunity, ruthlessness and we are closing ranks to chase them
out of power by 2015; it would be too late for them to hoodwink
anyone again”.
The Kano governor declared that President Jonathan was qualified
for impeachment.

www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/nasarawa-impeachment-plot-gov-almakura-rejected-offer-help-kwankwaso/

The e-wars can end now!

Sacking the GMD while leaving the Minister is like washing the back of a pot while the inside is still as dirty!

brownlord: Foolish government, very soon he wiil buy Nigeria,they should just tell us dangote sign MOU ahead of 2015 election.

How many sector will this man monopolise? Our stupid FG helping him to rip Nigerians since 1800. Cement is more expensive in Nigeria than any other west Africa country. Nonsense

What stop others from investing in rice farming? While other business men see risk including Nigerian business men, dangote sees opportunities. And he's never afraid to take risk. Which single business man will take a loan of $9 billion us dollar to invest in an unstable country like Nigeria? The guy has gut, give him some credit! By the way there are other rice investors in nigeria like olams in Nasarawa and dominion rice in taraba and lots of smaller investors.

berem: Ifeanyichukwu,why must it be only Dangote monopolizing everything in Nigeria? When will other investors be giving the chance? Don't tell me no other person was interested in the same rice business.

Few years back Dangote met some tomato paste importers and advice then on a joint venture to open a tomato factory in kano giving the abundant raw material rotting away there. They flatly told him it is much cheaper to import than to manufacture locally. Dangote decided to do it alone. If tomorrow he becomes dominant in tomato paste sector, people like you will shout Monopoly! forgetting that most Nigerian business men love the easy way out!

Gynacologist: shale gas?

shale gas/oil

overhypedsteve: why should this be your problem. Stop this nonscence abeg

Who are you referring to? Me or Vanguard newspaper?

davidif: Where did you get this lie from?

Get your infor right before you criticise:
businessdayonline.com/2014/07/manufacturing-sector-now-major-nigerias-economic-driver-says-rencap/

www.ngrguardiannews.com/business/171679-report-highlights-nigeria-s-growth-driving-sectors

if you want latest world bank report sef I fit supply it...lolz

[quote author=conyema12][/quote]China is said to have a huge deposit of shale gas too, though yet to start extracting. That left of us with India and by the time USA and other countries start exporting there products you can imagine what will happen to world oil prices. currently USA is the largest oil producer in the world ahead of Saudi Arabia.

unmask: main wetin you call manufacturing and agriculture?

Maybe you do some research on major drivers of nigerian economic growth!

phuckNL: Chisos!!!
Shell don get dia own proprietary gas. Ewelewe ooo.
Oya change dat thing to Shale, ASAP

Thanks for the correction!

And yet anoda promise! Hope the make good of it this time around!

WhileTeam Nigerian officials continue to swim as their athletes amass gold medals at the XX Commonwealth Games, their Ghanaian counterparts are sulking over their inability make any podium appearance.
The Ghanaians have only won one bronze medal and their officials are blaming officiating officials for favouring some countries.
‘’Oh, Charlie! We have won only one bronze. But you see that these officials do not want us to win medals. They are favouring some countries with their officiatings”, George Ansah said.
He however saluted their West African brothers Nigeria for making them proud with their performances in most of the sports.
‘’We’re happy that Nigeria is doing well. But we are sad that they are being too hard on our athletes. It is not good at all, Charlie”, he said.


www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/ghana-sulks-podium-appearance/

abacus: Your FFK friend stopped 'making noise' since when Modu Sherrif decamped to PDP.

lolzzzz! well said! !!

Nigeria is more interested in developing it's manufacturing and agricultural base. Those are the main drivers of nigeria's economic growth not oil. So the can overtake as long as we keep diversifying our economy it's all good. Few years from now oil may not be a dominant factor in world economy due to the discovery of shale gas.

Nice one 2baba!

What the heck is goin on!!! thought all flights from Liberia and Sierra Leone has been suspended. Can't this government do just one thing right? Only God knows how many people would have been infected from the airport down to transportation to anambra. I fervently pray this corpse is not infected, if not may God help us all.

Atleast the responded to the voice of reason! or is it fear of ACF?

Sympathises with victims of insurgency attacks
Onyebuchi Ezigbo

The planned one million- youth solidarity rally in support of President Goodluck Jonathan has been postponed in reverence to the mood of the nation after the flurry of fatal attacks by the insurgents in three states of Kano, Yobe and Borno.


The youth rally planned under the auspices of the Jonathan Youth Vanguard and Niger Delta Youth Leaders Council (NDYLC) is said involve over 500 other pro-Jonathan support groups and organisations around the country with the aim of assembling about one million youths that are in support of Jonathan's 2015 re-election bid.

However, despite adequate security measures put in place which saw increased presence of security forces, mostly military men stationed at strategic entry points and locations within the city, the promoters were prevailed upon at the last minute to suspend the youth solidarity rally.


It was gathered that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) had expressed its reservations over the holding of the mass rally, urging the northern youths not to participate.

Addressing Journalists on Thursday in Abuja on the reason for shelving the mass rally, the patron of the (NDYLC), Mr. George Turnah explained that representatives of Jonathan youth support groups nationwide met and resolved to defer the rally in sympathy for those who suffered losses during recent Boko Haram attacks in some northern states.

Details to follow

www.thisdaylive.com/articles/pro-jonathan-groups-shelve-rally/185015/

Obiagelli: i love superior arguments, i concede. But we should allow people demand it like its some kind of right.

Yeah! Totally agree with that. Shouldn't be an issue of "right" but that of consensus and agreement.

Obiagelli: please note affirmative action, also practiced in Canada, britain and many other countries, pls don't confuse that with what we practice here, especially with religion.

Don't get me wrong! Each of the countries you mention had more than 50 years of continuous uninterrupted democratic institutions. There is a level of mind development that comes with that which in my opinion nigeria is yet to attain with our nascent democracy. Such agitation is bound to be our lot for the foreseeable future. I don't condone such practices but I feel we could tolerate it for now, atleast for the sake of stability.

fun4: what kind of misleading story is that? That pic was taken way back when Cameron was not yet a PM. Be serious mahn. A US governor does not do that and you here talking of whole British prime minister. Next you will be telling us that the US president is travelling to Chicago on a public Aircraft.

This is another story of him boarding a public transport again:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2049939/David-Cameron-poses-photo-tube-passenger-failed-recognise-him.html

Get your fact straight bro!