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Kano girls married off from orphanage home abandoned by husbands, abused, seek alms
The Nassarawa orphanage home in Kano serves as a sanctuary for abandoned children, some of whom discovered on roadsides, orphaned by the death of their parents, or left behind after accidents.
For many years, the orphanage has been supported by the Kano State Government, which provides for their feeding, clothing, and education until they reach adulthood.
The boys often find employment in government agencies or start their own businesses, while the girls are typically married off to interested suitors.
Hundreds of girls have been married off since the orphanage started, but some women who voiced their frustrations, revealed that they were abandoned after their husbands divorced them.
They also face abuse and mistreatment with little recourse for reporting their struggles.
Hadiza Muhammad, 40, and Halima Muhammad, 45, are two such women who have endured domestic abuse for more than two decades of marriage, having children along the way.
“I grew up in the Nassarawa orphanage home. I was told I was found along the Kaduna road after a car crash, and I was the only survivor. I grew up there until I was old enough to marry,” Hadiza Muhammad narrated her past and current struggles.
“When we grew older, they pressured us to get married and leave the orphanage because new children kept arriving and they needed the space. We were told we had to go so things could balance out.”
“Before then, a woman took me in and sponsored most of my schooling, but we later had a fall-out, and she returned me to the orphanage when I was 17. I was just beginning to become a young woman.”
Hadiza eventually married a man from the Republic of Niger. “After almost 15 years of suffering, hardship, and abuse, we had two children.
Then, he divorced me and threw me out with the kids. Now, he doesn’t even sleep at home, living like a street person. I’m helpless. I don’t know what to do. I returned to the orphanage home where I grew up, but they told me there was no space for us since we are now mothers,” Hadiza added sadly.
Halima Muhammad, who grew up alongside Hadiza, has faced a similar fate. Her husband also divorced her, leaving her with five children.
“Now, our landlord wants to evict us because we can’t pay rent. I have no one to fight for my rights against my ex-husband. I’m also battling diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma due to stress and constant worry,” she explained.
Both women have called on the Kano State Government to establish a system that supports women in similar circumstances, as many others continue to endure abuse and mistreatment, some still trapped in abusive marriages.
Comrade Hafiz Sanusi Sanka, the Kano State Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission, also confirmed that they often receive similar complaints and are in communication with relevant stakeholders to find solutions. He expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts by the Kano State Government.
“We visited the orphanage regarding this matter and had in-depth discussions. They seem to be taking meaningful steps.
Personally, I’m satisfied and confident that the issue will soon be resolved,” he stated.
“There is a house designated for women in these situations, but it is too small. As we speak, the Governor has ordered the construction of 20 new houses specifically for them—whether their marriages end or their husbands pass away,” he added.
Sanka also mentioned that the government is making efforts to provide employment for those who grew up in the orphanage home.
“The head of the home told me that just last week, the Governor offered jobs to 22 orphans in the house—both men and women—in government positions,” he noted.
The government’s actions are seen as a positive step towards resolving the issue.
“We must continue pushing for these initiatives to be carried out to support these women,” Sanka said.
When reached out to the authorities at the Nassarawa orphanage home for further comment. However, the head of the home, Hajiya Maimunatu, stated that she was not authorized to speak to the press.
But she confirmed the statement of Kano IHRC Chairman, Comrade Sanka.
Every year, dozens of children are abandoned or found across Kano State and its surrounding areas.
By law, the care of these children falls under the responsibility of government-established institutions, ensuring they are given the chance to grow up and live a fulfilling life.
News
NAF Jilli Airstrike: Bomb Don’t Know Who’re Terrorists
Multiple sources said that the fighter jet that carried out the operation was tracking a group of suspected insurgents believed to have visited the market to collect levies from traders and obtain supplies. However, the strike reportedly missed its intended target
No fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, are feared dead, while 14 others have been hospitalized following an airstrike on a weekly market along the Borno–Yobe border.
The incident occurred at Jilli Market, located between Gubio and Geidam Local Government Areas of Borno and Yobe states, on Saturday.
The airstrike was carried out during a military operation targeting suspected Boko Haram insurgents.
The weekly market usually attracts traders and buyers from surrounding communities, including Gubio, Chiweram, and Benisheikh in Borno State, as well as Gurokayeya and Geidam in Yobe State.
Multiple sources said that the fighter jet that carried out the operation was tracking a group of suspected insurgents believed to have visited the market to collect levies from traders and obtain supplies. However, the strike reportedly missed its intended target
.An eyewitness said at least 56 people have been confirmed dead, while 14 others are receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital in Geidam, Yobe State.
“The incident happened around 2:46 p.m. while business activities were ongoing. Four fighter jets carried out the attack, though the fourth jet was not clearly visible. We only heard the sound of explosions.
“I counted 56 corpses myself and helped rescue two injured people, taking them to the hospital. I believe the number of casualties may be higher, as more bodies are still being recovered,” the source said.
News
NUPENG Braces Up for Leaderships Change
Former National Chair of PTD-NUPENG and National Trustees of the union, Salimon Oladiti will be elected as president of NUPENG in Lagos.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) will, on April 24, elect a new president.
Incumbent President, Williams Akporeha, announced his exit date at the weekend during the Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch, PTD-NUPENG in Warri, Delta State.
Former National Chair of PTD-NUPENG and National Trustees of the union, Salimon Oladiti will be elected as president of NUPENG in Lagos.
The election of Oladiti will mark the first time in NUPENG a member of the PTD branch will be president.
During the meeting, Zonal Chair of PTD-NUPENG in Port Harcourt, Joseph Okafor, moved the motion for unanimous ratification of Oladiti for president, seconded by Adekunle Akinlaja of Lagos zone.
News
FG Unmasks 60 Persons and Corporates Behind Terrorism Financing, Order Banks To Freeze Their Accounts
The updated sanctions list is part of a crackdown on financial networks supporting extremist groups, particularly following investigations into Bureau De Change (BDC) operators and other entities.
The Federal Government on Saturday released a list of 48 individuals and 12 corporate entities allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the funding of extremist activities.
The Federal Government also directed financial institutions to freeze all accounts and assets associated with these individuals and firms.
The list, published on the website of the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC), disclosed the nationalities of those named, their specific roles, and the terrorist groups they were allegedly connected to.
The Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) operates under the authority of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), which coordinates its activities within the national security framework.
Its core mandates include the implementation of United Nations sanctions—particularly those targeting terrorism financing—ensuring compliance with international obligations, and facilitating coordination among agencies such as financial intelligence, defense, and foreign affairs.
Those named in the latest released include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, Fatima Ishaq, Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkarim Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo
Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (ANSARU), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group, Yan Group NLBDG, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe.
The entities listed include West and East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Co. Ltd, Alfa Exchange BDC, Alin Yar Yaya General Enterprises, K. Are Nigeria Limited, Suhailah Bashir General Enterprises, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company, and Lakurawa Sect.
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