NEWS
Kano Emirates Saga: Sanusi Consolidates Power, Yusuf Runs To Ribadu
The royal rumble politics in the Kano Emirates has entered into a new battlefront, with Emir Mohammad Sanusi II consolidating power by making appointments, receiving pledges of loyalty from critical quarters, while the state government is lobbying at federal levels in his favour.
In different moves on Thursday, perceived as helping Emir Sanusi II strengthen his hold on power, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf ran to Abuja to meet with the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, while the 16th Emir announced the appointment of Hamisu Sani as the new Ward Head for Kofar Mazugal, Dala Local Government Area of Kano.
Biztellers reports that Gov Yusuf’s meeting with the NSA in the later’s office, lasted over an hour, which is believed to be aimed at intensifying lobbying in favour of Emir Sanusi II.
Recall that following speed-of-light legislative and executive actions, the Kano State House of Assembly repealed the law which created five Emirates in the state, and Gov Yusuf appointed the 16th Emir and deposed the 15th Emir, Ado Bayero.
The action witnessed resistance, though, as legal action led to interim injunction, which saw the deposed Emir return. As that was happending, Gov Yusuf personally took Emir Sanusi II to the palace, while the 15th Emir was returned to the second palace, Nasarawa under the guide of national security forces.
The flying of counter judicial pronouncements, had seen the Chief Justice of the Federation, Olukayode Ariwoola, summon a meeting of key judicial actors in Kano State.
It would appear that battle for the ancient throne of the Kano Emirate has entered new fields, as the Kano State government moved from threatening the NSA, who countered with legal action for which he was apologised to, to lobbying him.
As all that were being acted out, Emir Sanusi II is consolidating his hold on power and urged the new ward head, he appointed, to ensure peaceful coexistence among his subjects in the area and contribute his quota towards the development of the state as a whole.
In a related development, district heads and other prominent personalities, such as delegations from religious and market bodies, have continued to pay homage to Emir Sanusi II, while giving cold shoulders to the deposed 15th Emir.
Some of the delegation who have pledged allegiance to Emir Sanusi II are the Ansarulddeen Tijjanniya sect and traders from both the popular Kantin Kwari textile market and the Singer market in Kano.
Gov Yusuf’s meeting with the NSA was vented to the world by a statement from the spokesperson for the governor, Dawakin Tofa, in which he averred that they discussed state and national issues.
He wrote, “The two political leaders deliberated on various matters relating to state/national development and the peaceful coexistence of the nation during their discussions in Abuja.
“It is significant to mention that the NSA had been accused of involvement in the Kano crisis for allowing a substantial military presence to protect the removed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, a position swiftly discredited by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Before this, Kano State Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, apologised to the NSA for his involvement in the Kano crisis, attributing the error to flawed intelligence.
“Recognising the respected professional background and integrity of the NSA throughout his time as an officer and anti-corruption campaigner, the state deemed it necessary to retract the allegation and offer a sincere apology.”
Tofa added in the statement that the governor’s meeting with the NSA coincided with Sanusi’s six-day stay at the palace in Kano, where a significant majority of district heads and kingmakers already pledged their allegiance and loyalty to the newly consolidated Kano Emirate, under the leadership of the 16th Emir.
The statement pointed out that Kano had been characterised by peace and tranquillity, and thus urged all residents to continue their regular activities in compliance with the rule of law.
“It was a fruitful discussion between myself and the National Security Adviser. His role is critical for the harmonious existence of our nation, so I briefed him on the recent developments in Kano,” Tofa quoted the governor as saying in the statement.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has named Tony Elumelu, Founder and Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, to its newly formed Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth.
The council, convened by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, is tasked with addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship and shaping policies that foster innovation, resource allocation, and private sector-led economic expansion.
A statement confirming Elumelu’s appointment was released on Friday, highlighting his influence as a strong advocate for entrepreneurship in Africa.
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Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he has provided funding, mentorship, and training to over 25,000 African entrepreneurs since 2015, championing the belief that private sector investments can drive the continent’s economic transformation.
“Elumelu will be instrumental in ensuring that Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is central to global economic policymaking,” the statement noted.
The IMF Advisory Council comprises global leaders from business, finance, and academia, including: Marc Benioff, CEO and Co-Founder of Salesforce, Ana Botín, Executive Chair of Banco Santander, Margherita Della Valle, CEO of Vodafone Group, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Group, Robert Smith, Founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, HRH Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Federico Sturzenegger, Argentine Minister of Deregulation and Professor Ufuk Akcigit, Economist, University of Chicago.
At the council’s inaugural meeting on March 26, 2025, Georgieva emphasized the significance of entrepreneurship in economic growth.
“The Council brings together a group of leading thinkers and practitioners in business, finance, academia, and policymaking to share their views and experiences on how macroeconomic and financial policies can provide a supportive environment for innovation, entrepreneurship, and productivity—key ingredients for a thriving private sector and strong economic growth,” she stated.
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday, shaking the region and sending tremors as far as Thailand and China.
The quake’s epicenter was located in the Sagaing region, near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to around one million people and renowned for its historic temple complexes.
Panic erupted as buildings swayed and dust filled the air.
READ ALSO: Powerful 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Hits China, Dozens Killed
In Mandalay, videos shared online showed terrified residents rushing out of residential towers while traffic came to a sudden halt.
Reports indicate that a major bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River collapsed into the water in a cloud of dust and debris.
The quake was felt as far as Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, where video footage showed a partially constructed building in Chatuchak Park crumbling to the ground.
Thai authorities reported that 43 people were trapped in the wreckage, while seven others sustained injuries.
In Chiang Mai, a resident described feeling the tremors for about ten seconds before fleeing into the streets.
In Myanmar’s commercial hub, Yangon—about 380 miles from the epicenter—residents also experienced the powerful shaking.
One resident recalled, “We felt the quake for about a minute, then ran out of the building.
It was very sudden and very strong.” Another noted that phone networks in the city, home to around 8 million people, briefly went down but were later restored.
Myanmar, one of Asia’s poorest nations, is already grappling with the effects of a brutal civil war sparked by a military coup over four years ago.
The conflict has devastated the economy, and the country remains ill-equipped to handle a major natural disaster of this scale.
The Sagaing region, where the earthquake struck, is a war zone with multiple factions—including the ruling junta, pro-military militias, and rebel groups—fighting for control.
The ongoing violence has made travel by road or river extremely dangerous, posing significant challenges to delivering emergency aid and assessing the full extent of the damage.
Tremors were also felt in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, underscoring the quake’s intensity.
Authorities across the region are now assessing the situation, with emergency teams mobilizing in both Myanmar and Thailand.
A fire outbreak in the early hours of Friday morning has gutted buildings on Ifejika Street, by Sokoto Road, Onitsha, prompting swift intervention from the Anambra State Fire Service.
The inferno, which reportedly started in one of the buildings at about 6:20 a.m., quickly spread to an adjacent structure, causing panic among residents and business owners in the area.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown at the time of this report.
READ ALSO: Fire Ravages Two-Storey Commercial Building In Anambra
Eyewitnesses say residents and passersby joined forces with the firefighters in an attempt to salvage goods and properties from the affected buildings.
The head of the Media and Publicity Unit of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed the incident in a brief statement.
“Anambra State Fire Service is currently on intervention at the scene of the fire outbreak at Ifejika Street, by Sokoto Road, Onitsha. The distress call came at 6:20 a.m. today, and our firefighters deployed immediately. The public is advised to remain calm as the situation is under control,” Chiketa said.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to completely extinguish the fire were still ongoing.
Authorities are yet to determine the extent of the damage and the possible cause of the outbreak.
More details to follow………
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