The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has reminded the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, that his late father, Alhaji Ado Bayero, had told them while on a visit to the Palace that he (Atiku) would be president.
“We were on a courtesy call to the palace sometime while I was the Vice President of Nigeria, than late Emir Ado Bayero said he saw among us somebody who was going to be President and who would bring greatness to Nigeria,” Atiku said.
Atiku Abubakar added that the late Emir Ado Bayero didn’t stop at that. He also went ahead to pray that the President he saw would bring sanity to Nigeria and improve its socio-economic standard.
He said he believes he is the person mentioned by the late Emir Ado Bayero which is why it became imperative for the sitting Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero to follow suit and pray for him to achieve the dreams of the late Bayero.
Atiku Abubakar, who is in Kano on his presidential campaign, was at the Emir’s palace on a courtesy call, with his entourage, including his vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa
The Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has confirmed that the mass deaths reported in Kano State were not from COVID-19 as some have alleged.
In a statement on Sunday the Sarkin noted that he was informed by the State’s Ministry of Health that the ‘mysterious’ deaths earlier reported in Kano State were not as a result of COVID-19 outbreak.
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He prayed for the reposed, asking Allah that their of souls may be forgiven.
The Sarkin also spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic, urging Kano residents to adhere to all the directives by the National Centre for Disease Control and other health agencies that are authorities on the subject matter.
Below is the full speech by the Sarkin Kano.
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My people may the peace and blessing of Allah be upon you all.
We wish to inform you that, the Kano state ministry of health has informed us about the update on the outbreak of COVID-19 in various places across the state.
This report is really important, the report has further confirmed to us that COVID-19 is real and that as of today about 73 people have tested positive for the pandamic.
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My people, with regards to this situation, it had become necessary for us to remind you on the need to follow all the necessary medical advice.
You all must stay away from over crowded places, wash your hands regularly with soap and use face mask.
We also urge you to avoid stigmatisation on people with the infection, avoid fake news that may likely create panic among our people.
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I equally call on you to look after your children and make sure they do not continue to play football on the streets, once you notice any symptoms please do not hesitate to report such to medical experts.
My people, I call on you to remain calm, and continue to pray for Allah’s intervention. I therefore want to use this opportunity to condole the family of those who lost lives recently.
We were equally informed by the ministry that the deaths were not as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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We therefore pray for the repose of the souls who lost their lives, may Almighty Allah forgive them, those infected, we pray for their quick recovery.
The new emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has reacted to the mass deaths recorded in Kano State.
Recall that scores of people, including elites and prominent sons of the state, have died in Dala, Fagge, Tarauni, Nasarawa, Gwale and Kano Municipal.
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Among those already buried are academics, administrators, bankers, media practitioners and businessmen.
Reacting, a statement the Emir personally signed maintained that the deaths were not COVID-19 related.
“We have been informed by the ministry that the deaths were not as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
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“This report is really important, the report has further confirmed to us that COVID-19 is real and that as of today about 73 people have tested positive for the pandemic.
“My people, with regards to this situation, it has become necessary for us to remind you of the need to follow all the necessary medical advice,” he said.
He further urged Kano residents to stay away from crowded places, wash their hands regularly and avoid stigmatizing others.
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“I equally call on you to look after your children and make sure they do not continue to play football on the streets, once you notice any symptoms please do not hesitate to report such to medical experts,” he advised.
The Emir while calling for more prayers, commiserated with families of the deceased.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met with the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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It is believed that both Ehanire and Ihekweazu gave updates to the president, over their efforts in curbing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Buhari’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, announced the meeting on his Twitter handle.
“FLASH: President @MBuhari receives briefing on Nigeria’s #COVID19 situation, from Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Director-General of the NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu this evening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja,” Ahmad wrote.
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The meeting took place a few hours before the expiration of the 14-day lockdown the President ordered in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.
Buhari is expected to make his position on the lockdown public on Monday.
Details of meeting
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday night received the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, and the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu.
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The trio held a closed-door meeting at the State House, Abuja.
The parley was on the strange disease in Kano, the lockdown and the coronavirus crisis.
Ehanire told State House correspondents that his ministry had been communicating with relevant agencies, including Kano State Government with a view to addressing the problem.
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The minister said further updates will be provided.
He disclosed that he and Ihekweazu briefed the president on the activities of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.
They also discussed the restriction in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, as the lockdown caused by the disease expires Monday night.
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The Nigerian leader is expected to announce a 14-day ban on inter-state movement as requested by governors.
Ehanire said they gave Buhari the summary position of the PTF and the ministries, weighing health and socio-economic factors.
The minister assured that Nigeria was winning the fight against the outbreak as all relevant health institutions were working in collaboration.
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He said: “The fight is going on very well. As I said, all countries have continued with the struggle against coronavirus, using the strategies that they have developed for their own countries.
“We have developed a strong strategy as we are working with other expert groups like the NCDC and relevant health organisations. So, we are also working with the states and the governors.’’
Ihekweazu said NCDC will continue to build up its testing strategies.
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“At the moment, 14 testing centres have been activated across the country. We want to bring the test closer to every state. Everybody is working very hard to solve this problem.
“I can see that some people are already procuring Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits. They don’t work as far as we know. So, I will really recommend that we all stick to the National Strategy, build on it, support its expansion and together we will get on top of the pandemic,’’ he stated.
The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero made his way into the palace late Wednesday hours after receiving his letter of appointment from Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Hundreds of Kano residents stormed the palace to witness the Emir’s traditional entry into the palace through a carved door, a traditional symbol that seals Bayero’s installation as Emir.
Royal guards and traditional dances featured as the Emir entered the traditional Soron Shekara and then to Soron Ingila, which is the Emir’s official residence within the palace where he receives homage from members of the royal family and other traditional rulers.
A graduate of Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano and a trained pilot, Bayero spent most of his life serving the Kano Emirate.
He held many traditional titled including Turaki, Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida, Wambai of Kano.
He was the Emir of Bichi before his appointment as the Emir of Kano.
According to sources within the Kano Emirate, Bayero is one of the most loved Emirs after his father who united the palace during his reign as the Tsarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida, and further extended his influence when appointed as Wambai of Kano.
In the coming days, Bayero will be fully engaged in normal traditional functions, including presiding over the meeting of the Kano council of traditional rulers.
A special Durbar festival is also scheduled to hold in honour of the Emir, as well as special prayer sessions for peace and stability in Kano.
Members of the Kano State House of Assembly have on Monday engaged in a free for all fight over a plan to submit a report recommending investigation over an alleged violation of culture, tradition, and religion by Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sunusi II.
The fracas started when the chairman of the committee investigating the petition against Emir Sanusi, Hamisu Chidari, also the deputy speaker of the House, said he wanted to make an observation concerning the report to be submitted by the committee.
He was immediately opposed by the member representing Dala constituency, Lawal Husain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, who insisted that the committee be allowed to submit its report on the appointed date, Wednesday 11, March 2020, before anything could be said on it.
Some members, also including the former majority leader that was removed recently, Labaran Madari supported the motion and the tension began. They reached out for the mace which was protected by its protector and the house became rowdy.
The Speaker then announced a one-hour adjournment of the sitting. On return from the adjournment, the Assembly continued sitting, addressing other matters even as at that time the news of the dethronement of the Emir had been announced.
Noble Reporters Media 