By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has insisted that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the only recognised Emir of Kano, describing any other claimant allegedly “posted from Abuja” as illegitimate.
Kwankwaso made the remark on Saturday at the fourth convocation ceremony of Skyline University of Nigeria (SUN) in Kano, where he also raised concerns over increasing banditry around the state’s border communities.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) commended the institution for maintaining standards and congratulated the graduating students, noting that over 60 per cent of them were female. He urged male youths to take their education seriously, warning that failure to do so could see women taking the lead in key sectors of society.
Reaffirming his position on the Kano emirship tussle, Kwankwaso said:
“Muhammadu Sanusi II is the only emir in Kano who has ever been recognized by the people and government of Kano State. Any other one posted from Abuja or elsewhere is fake.”
Turning to security, he alleged that armed bandits from neighbouring Katsina State had begun extending attacks into parts of Kano, including Tsanyawa, Shanono, Gwarzo and Karaye, calling on the federal government to act urgently.
“If government cannot protect lives and properties within the borders of a country, then that government must sit down and think again,” he said, noting that banditry, which started in Zamfara, had spread through Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna, and was now threatening Kano and Jigawa.
Kwankwaso, who recalled spending billions of naira on security during his administration, urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to rise to the challenge and safeguard citizens.
In his remarks, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II who also serves as Chancellor of the university — advised the graduates to embrace integrity, innovation and national service, stating that the true value of education lies in societal impact.
He warned that “knowledge without action is like a lamp without oil — bright in theory but powerless in the dark,” urging the new graduates to prioritise ethics, service and problem-solving.
Sanusi expressed satisfaction that women formed a strong majority of the graduating cohort and said he hoped the achievement would translate into greater female participation in leadership, governance and national development.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ajith Kumar V.V., announced that 24 out of 180 graduates finished with First Class honours, while 43 students received higher degrees, the first such award since the institution commenced postgraduate programmes.
He added that all academic programmes offered by the university have received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission (NUC).