Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, has accused Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf of coercing state officials and local government chairmen into defecting from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, denied these allegations, claiming that participation in the defection is voluntary. Kwankwaso expressed concern over the situation, urging those affected to comply with demands to avoid victimization. Amidst speculation about Governor Yusuf's potential defection from the NNPP to the APC, relationships appear strained between him and Kwankwaso. The Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, reaffirmed his loyalty to Kwankwaso, alongside other senior officials, signaling internal support within the NNPP despite the ongoing rumors of defection. The political landscape in Kano remains tense as factions prepare for possible realignments leading up to the next elections.

Nigeria's average cost of basic food items is expected to surge in the coming months due to farmers exporting their bumper harvest to neighboring countries in exchange for foreign currency. This decision, despite the challenges posed by rising food inflation, puts food security at a threshold. Farmers in northern Nigeria have confirmed bumper harvests of crops like millet, sorghum, beans, and maize, but many are exporting to countries like Niger Republic, Cameroun, Chad, Ghana, and Asia and Europe for higher revenue.Many Nigerian farmers are exporting their produce due to attractive prices offered by international buyers, according to the Kano State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria. Middlemen from the southern part of the country purchase grains from farmers in the north and promote local food export to other African countries. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Jigawa State is working on strategies to make local sales more attractive to farmers, and the Federal Government is working on policies to encourage local sales, including providing incentives for farmers who sell their produce locally.

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended three medical personnel at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre following the death of Aishatu Umar, attributed to alleged professional negligence. The suspension, which is effective immediately, came after a preliminary investigation ordered by Executive Secretary Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda confirmed the incident took place at the facility. The case is now referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for further investigation. The Board has expressed condolences to Umar's family and emphasized its commitment to patient safety and accountability, launching internal measures to prevent similar occurrences. Reports indicate that Umar suffered persistent abdominal pain after surgery due to surgical scissors unintentionally left in her body. An investigation was prompted by public outcry regarding the case.