By Khadijah Ahmad Ado,
Traditional institutions in the ancient city of Kano have always been revered. They are regarded as deities of some sorts. Both indigenes and residents of Kano do not engage in acts that will drag their traditional leaders in the mud.
But that was some years back. The situation is now different; it is even taking a worrying dimension. Kano youths, especially the fanatical ‘followers’ of politics, are losing their moral sense of judgement. They are becoming the perfect example of how not to behave as youths.
Otherwise, how would a rational mind justify what some group of youths did to the Emirs of Kano and Bichi, on May 29, 2023? It was utterly embarrassing that the solemn occasion of the inauguration of Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf as Kano State’s new Governor, less than a month ago, was turned into a barbaric scene of hooliganism.
A widely-circulated national newspaper had then reported: “Teeming supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) booed the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, at the Sani Abacha Stadium, venue of the inauguration ceremony for the new governor. Immediately, the first-class monarch arrived at the venue, angry crowd started shouting on top of their voices.
“A similar treatment was meted to Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, younger brother of the Kano Emir. But security operatives quickly moved in and escorted the monarchs to their seats. The NNPP supporters were said to be protesting the involvement of traditional rulers in politics and calling for the separation of the two”.
Agreed that the ‘recalcitrant youths’ who heckled the two Emirs have every ground to do what they did, but should they have wrecked the serene ambience of the handing over day, most especially for Governor Kabir Yusuf? NO, is definitely the affirmative.
No matter the grievances of the alleged NNPP supporters and diehard members of the Kwankwasiyya movement against the two Kano emirs, venting their ‘anger’ in the manner they did was the most nauseating, reckless and insensitive.
That their callous action, for the record, has given Kano away. Many people from other parts of Nigeria would start having the belief that Kano youths lack good manners and respect for their paramount traditional leaders. Sad!
It is imperative that parents and relevant authorities in Kano take necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of the uncivilized conduct of ‘uncouth followers’ of some Kano politicians. Our youths should be agents of societal change and Kano’s accelerated development.
In other parts of the world, and even in some States here in the country, we have seen the exploits of many youngsters and upcoming lads, in the areas of sports, entertainment, creative arts, innovation, education, and literature, among others. And how the ‘star achievements’ brought recognitions to their countries and States.
Our Kano youths, who are renowned to be talented and versatile, should be setting the pace, too. They are also endowed with the immense potential to drive the birth of a new Kano State. Thus, their priorities should be about blazing the trail in endeavours that will earn Kano plaudits, and not bad labels.
Therefore, we must not allow persons or groups of persons in cahoots with political charlatans and desperadoes to turn them into cannon fodder for violence. The consequences, of course, will be grave. It may even consume Kano, as Nigeria’s ‘Centre of Commerce’. That is if we fail to do the needful. A stitch in time, as they say, saves nine.
Khadijah Ahmad Ado is a student of Skyline University Nigeria, she writes from in Kano .
