Ppl that are crucifying the kano indigenes that came up to defend their city must understand that It is not particulary easy to read misconceptions and false facts when you know its not true while others pass it off as enterntainment.you would feel differently if it was your state being talked abt trust me.There comes this urge to correct it and rightfully so because some ppl that have never been to Kano might just leave with this one sided perspective of it. Isnt that the whole point of threads and forums anyway? To join minds and discuss different views. I thk a big problem we have as nigerians is stubbornly clinging to stereotypical theories and here-says about ppl and part of the country that are alien to us. I was born and brought up in Kano state. I have never been to the Southern part of Nigeria but yet i have so many theories abt it from what ive heard and read on the news.
Do you know thesame way Southerners fear the north because of religious fanatism the northerners also fear the south? The notions being peddled abt the south here is that of wickedness, armed robbery, yahoo boys? extreme cultism, kidnapping and so on. There is no day we dont read in the news someone chopped off someones head, or some witch was discovered or some cultist group clash etc. we hardly experience such in the North so it pollutes our minds with ideas of the South. What is point i am trying to make exactly? My point is no part of Nigeria is perfect. We all have our faults and qualities that make us unique. Even though i have never been to the there, i am not so close minded to believe that the whole of southern Nigeria is plagued with such activities.or that i will be kidnapped as soon as i arrive (although it did happen to a friend of mine).I am open minded enough to know that yes such things do happen in certain areas but not the whole region and it doesnt take away from enjoying your life there.
Same goes for this article. I respect Mr Op's narration of his experience.you have a right to say it as you see it. I thk with the exception of a few ppl that attacked him, most ppl were just trying to give you another perspective of Kano life. I can understand how you got your own theories and i believe you when you said they are true because in some remote and less developed areas of Kano that is the way of life. you also complained abt the level of illetracy around the area . So i thk its kind of myopic of you to only consider what uve heard from that part of Kano within the short period uve been here to pass it off as the way of LIfe in the whole of Kano. Since ure still new here atleast i impore you to please open your mind to the perspectives of other Kano indigenes that narrated their own here instead of stubbornly clinging to one narrative and spreading it as such. Afterall, this is what "experience" is about. You collect points of view from different sources before making your conclusion on Kano as a whole. Do not categorize what u have not witnessed with your own two eyes as "experience". It does not qualify as so. You can pass it off as here-say. I have no qualms with what you wrote based on what you experinced with your own eyes no matter how bad it is, its the bitter truth. Its the conclusions from what you heard from others that you pass off as definite and even argue abt it is where i feel ure wrong. Dont bear false witness. Since u never saw anyone getting their hands chopped off or stoned for smoking, dont pass it on as such.its as ridiculous as saying everyone in rivers state is out to kidnap me because i am lightskinned for example. Whenever you are ready, you can holla at me so that i can give you a tatse of the other side of kano . The educated and elite side. I mean it.i would really like to experience that side too. It will shed a whole new light on things and will do good to your service year.Yes i am a hausa muslim female born and brought up here. No i dont wear hijab as it is not compulsory in the Kano i live in. No i am not married and no my daddy will not chop off your hands for talking to me . He is actually helping me write this and he sends his regards. I respect and admire what you're trying to achieve with your service year here in my state. Wish you all the best.

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Anyways, i need to drop my own two cents on Kano life before i go for the sake of future prospective kano corpers. You have read mr physics's experience from his short duration in kano so far. Read on for a full review of a born and brought up kano indigene. A disclaimer: i use the phrase 'part of kano i am from' alot as this review specifically applies to that area of what i have experienced with own eyes. Meaning i dont discredit what op wrote or what others might say.


*No, smoking is not illegal in Kano state. Perhaps it is in the remote local govt op is serving in( i wont say he is lying because i havent witnessed it myself). But from what i am aware of and the 24yrs i have lived here i have never seen anyone stoned nor crucified for smoking. Cigarettes are sold almost on every nook and cranny.

*in some remote villages and LGA's in Kano, Yes they give islamic education priority before western education and students are required to finish islamiyya first before starting any form of sch. But for the main city of kano, that is completely not the case. Children go to sch as soon as they come of age. Islamic schs are available and optional for those that wish to enrol their kids and it usually holds in the evening around 4-6 so as not to intefere with school hours. It is completely optional. I personally did not even join any islamiyya till age 16 after i completed my secondary school education.

* NO you will not get your hands chopped off for talking to a muslim northern girl. Lol. Never heard of such also. True islamically women are only allowed to marry muslim men but that doesnt stop inter-religious marriages here. Ive heard of many cases where a muslim woman marries a non-muslim man. Highest that ever happens are family disputes not chopping of hands or any other body part from what i know. It is true however that opposite sexes need to be careful abt how they relate with each other in public as too much physical contact is frowned upon.

*hijab is not compulsory in the part of kano i grew up in. It is completely optional. Your choice. The schools i attended growing up, muslims students had the option of wearing it, while non muslims did not wear it. Even as a muslim u can choose not to wear it, its your choice. Many none muslim women walk around comfortably with their heads open. Its perfectly normal.

In Summary, Kano is an islamic state and this attributes to its conservative nature. You cannot categorically compare the way of life here with that of the likes of Lagos, abuja etc. these are very different places in terms of culture, religion, values and geography. Just like any other big city, it is full of its own contradictions. You know quite similar to the mainland vs island mentality in Lagos.However, it really isnt as prudent as some of you paint or imagine it to be. The best LGA to serve in i believe is nassarawa. This is where the heart of the city is and the most developed.Lots of places to chill with lots of amenities you wont find in any other northwestern state. This is why many claim it as the most devoloped state in the region with kaduna coming in as a close second. There are restaurants of all sorts, malls, cinema( Which also you wont find in any other northwestern state except for kano ). parks and lounges to hang out and smoke all you want. There are also quite a collection of clubs for all those interested in the Night life. Drinking however is less common . In certain areas such as nomansland and sabongari you will also find lots of beer parlours and stuff. Those places have the highest population of southerners in Kano and i thk that explains it. You wont find these amenities however in certain areas and local govts as they happen to be less developed and westernized. Such areas cling more towards the religious way of life which is why i said it is wrong to write a review of kano as a whole solely based on living in such areas. I am sure my review of Lagos state for example will be very different if i stay in some remote place as opposed to the city.
The only down side of kano i can say is given the religious nature of the state, the ppl tend to be judgemental which is why certain things are frowned upon. The way some ppl judge eh, you will swear they are God's very own appointed class monitors.Even tho u will not get stoned dressing skimpish, the looks you get from ppl is enough trust me. i am also from here, but i dont come from such school of thought. Everyone has his own grave to each be his own jare.
Sha in the end, any experience is what you make of it. You cant go to china expecting to party like an italian. Aint that the whole point of NYSC In the first place? Experiencing cultures across our rich vast nation and learning to respect that its different from our own. Kano is quite fun in its own way.If you understand the way of life here and respect the culture, really there is nothing to worry abt. Our city is quite peaceful. You can work around with no fear of being kidnapped, robbed or attacked in traffic etc. trust me you wont regret being posted here! Cheers

Please add me 08140400813

nathoneal:


I have created a group, i'll add your phone number

Please add me too . 08140400813.

Can somebody please create a whatsapp group or thread for Kano pcm to meet?