On Thursday, March 20, 2025, the Kano State Government promised to take strong action against hurtful and disrespectful speech in the media, especially on the radio.
At a special meeting with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in Kano, the State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, shared how the government plans to put an end to negative speech.
“The governor is very concerned about this issue, and he has asked us to make sure that political activities in Kano are done with respect and kindness,” the commissioner said.
To tackle the problem, the government has started working with radio hosts, known locally as “Sojojin Baka” (which means “verbal warriors”). They’ve created a group called the “Gauta Club” to watch and identify people who spread harmful ideas on the radio.
“We’ve already registered members of this group so we can know who they are and make sure they’re held responsible for what they say. You can’t fix a problem unless you know who’s causing it,” Waiya explained.
He also called on the people of Kano to help by not supporting those who use public platforms to say hurtful things in the name of free speech.
Waiya warned radio show hosts not to let people come on their shows to say mean things about others.
“It’s shocking that someone in Kano would insult a governor or a leader just for a small payment of 10,000 naira. This will not be allowed anymore,” the commissioner said.
The government’s new plan is an important step in making sure conversations in Kano stay respectful and helpful for everyone.
