Re: The ship can still turn if we stop lying to ourselves

No doubt, the article captioned above by Auwalu Dahiru Saleh, which appeared in the Daily Trust newspaper of Thursday, 22, 2026, has succinctly captured most of the malaise currently bedeviling Kano State. There is practically nothing to add, other than one or two factors that have been contributing negatively to what is currently unfolding in the state.

I strongly believe that if these issues are not promptly addressed by Kano stakeholders and the federal government alike, they will, in the long run, lead to the total destruction of Kano as we know it today.

For quite some time, Kano has become what can best be described as a “Tudun Mun Tsira” for internally displaced persons. Recall the unfortunate insecurity quagmire still ravaging parts of North-Eastern Nigeria. Let us start with the Boko Haram issue. At the height of the crisis, many people migrated to Kano in search of a safer sanctuary. It is to be expected that those who migrated included the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Things became worse for Kano’s social fabric when North-Western Nigeria itself became entangled in insecurity crises—this time in the form of banditry, kidnapping, and the mass displacement of innocent rural dwellers to make way for illegal mining. In a situation such as this, where almost every part of the North-East and North-West has been rendered unsafe, the next option for victims was to relocate to safer zones, which in most cases meant Kano.

In addition to the assorted economic migrants trooping into Kano daily, there are the ubiquitous Almajirai from nearly all parts of the region and even beyond. There are also other Nigerians, such as groups who come well prepared and armed with various shady businesses. All these are some of the factors that have contributed to the steady breakdown of Kano’s social fabric.

And contrary to popular thinking, most of the people trooping into Kano dont have the state interest at heart. Some are in Kano out of necessity and what the state can offer to them, others are in the state to enjoy its serenity and tranquillity only, hence their redness to indulge in anything untoward without thinking about its positive or negative repercussions.

So,by and large, aside from being a victim of northern troubles, Kano has found itself in a catch22 situation shouldering a lot of responsibilities that were otherwise not its own. And as a result, its social amenities have been overstretched, and resources meant for Kano State—such as IGR and federal allocations—no longer serve Kano State alone. Insecurity is on an upward pedestal, moral decadence growing too. The youth restiveness, and tension have been rising and worse still, the federal government, which ought to add a small percentage from the federation’s monthly allocations to Kano to at least break even, has not been forthcoming.

Tell me, in such a grave situation, what do you expect to see happening among the vulnerables, exploited, impoverished and traumatised section of the larger society? They will naturally become a danger to themselves and to the society in general.

I therefore totally disagree with the submission in the last paragraph that “Kano should end the lie of helplessness.” Kano is indeed helpless, given the humongous challenges facing it, vis-à-vis the scant resources available to it, and all hands must be on deck to salvage it.

Kabiru Tsakuwa wrote via Dambazau Road, Tsakuwa, Dawakin Kudu

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, click here to find out how it works.

Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.