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Tag: Kano

  • Ganduje commends the appointment of El-Yakub as Minister

    Ganduje commends the appointment of El-Yakub as Minister

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has commended the appointment of Umar El-Yakub as the Minister of State for Works and Housing by President Muhammadu Buhari, stating that the appointment will reinforce the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba in Kano.

    Ganduje hailed the president for appointing a stalwart of the APC and worthy son of Kano given his sterling performances as a lawmaker and most recently a Presidential aide.

    ”The appointment of a long-standing member of the progressive family equipped with political experience and knowledge is a good omen for the development of the state and the progress of the APC in Kano State,” he said.

    The governor expressed confidence in the ability of the new minister to further consolidate on his pedigree which earned him recognition, respect and honour in both the state and the nation at large.

    Ganduje also enjoined him to see the new task as a challenge to make more remarkable impacts by deploying his vast experience, network and depth of knowledge to help in repositioning the sector in line with Buhari’s agenda for housing and infrastructure development in the country.

    Newsmen reports that El-Yakub, who was a member House of Representatives in 1988 and from 2003 to 2007, represented the Kano Municipal.

    He was until his ministerial appointment, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

  • Fidelity bank set to take over boards of Kano, Benin, Kaduna DISCOs

    Fidelity bank set to take over boards of Kano, Benin, Kaduna DISCOs

    Fidelity Bank said it planned to take over the boards of Kano, Benin and Kaduna Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and to collateralise their shares.

    The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Alex Okoh, and the Executive Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sanusi Garba said this in a joint statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “Today, we were informed by Fidelity Bank that they have activated the call on the collateralised shares of Kano, Benin and Kaduna (Fidelity and AFREXIM) DISCOs.

    “They have also initiated action to take over the Boards of these DISCOs and exercise the rights on the shares.

    “Fidelity Bank’s action is a contractual and commercial intervention and is between the Core Investors in the DISCOs and the lender.

    “BPE is involved because of the 40 per cent shareholding of the government in the DISCOs.’’

    According to the statement, the new board members of the affected Kano DISCO are, Hasan Tukur, as Chairman, Nelson Ahaneku, and Engr. Rabiu Suleiman as members.

    It said Benin DISCO would have K.C. Akuma, as the Chairman, Adeola Ijose and Charles Onwera as members.

    The statement said Kaduna DISCO would have Abbas Jega as Chairman, Ameenu Abubakar and Marlene Ngoyi as members.

    It said BPE had nominated Bashir Gwandu (Kano), Yomi Adeyemi (Benin), and Umar Abdullahi (Kaduna) as independent directors to represent the government’s 40 per cent interest in the three DISCOs respectively during the transition.

    “We are engaging with the Central Bank of Nigeria (as the banking sector regulator) to ensure an orderly transition and to ensure that Fidelity Bank does not hold the DISCOs’ shares in perpetuity.

    “It is envisaged that the majority interest in the entities would be sold to capable private sector investors willing and able to re-capitalise and manage the entities efficiently.

    “We have also received assurances that Fidelity Bank will participate fully in all the ongoing market initiatives aimed at improving the sector (National Mass Metering Programme).’’

    The statement said in the interim, NERC and BPE met on an emergency basis and activated the Business Continuity Process and appointed interim Managing Directors in the affected DISCOs.

    They are Ahmad Dangana, Kano Disco, Henry Ajagbawa, Benin Disco, and Yusuf Yahaya, Kaduna Disco.

    “Also, with the takeover of Ibadan DISCO by AMCON, the BPE has obtained approval from NERC to appoint Kingsley Achife as the interim managing director.

    “In a temporary capacity, the leadership of AMCON will be a placeholder board for the Ibadan franchise.

    “Ahmed Kuru will chair the board, Eberechukwu Uneze and Aminu Ismail as members, while Oluwaseyi Akinwale will represent the interest of the government on the board alongside the director-general of BPE.

    “Lastly, we are re-structuring the Management and Board of Port Harcourt DISCO to forestall the imminent insolvency of the entity.

    “As a condition for support to the entity to meet its market obligations, Iboroma Akpana will take over as the Chairman of the Board. Emmanuel Okotete, Eyo Ekpo, Ismaila Shuaibu and the director-general of BPE will form the interim Board. ‘’

    It said Mr Benson Uwheru would take over as the Managing Director of PHEDC as part of the changes.

    According to the statement, the government will support the activation of emergency funds through the Nigerian Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility.

    This according to the statement is to support the entity, while it goes through restructuring and repositioning to serve the citizens of the franchise area better.

    “We are working with the Minister of Power to ensure no service disruptions during these transitions.

    “We remain committed to supporting the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry to serve Nigerians better,’’ it said.

  • Malaria prevention: Kano State Govt. targets 12m children

    In anticipation of the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (  medical term used to refer to the administration of medication for the purpose of preventing disease or infection.) exercise in 44 local government areas of kano state, for the month of July to October, the kano state Government has disclosed that it is targetting 12 million children below the age of five years
    This was made known by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, at a news conference in Kano on
    Monday ahead of the exercise.
    He said that the exercise would be conducted on the house-to-house basis to ensure coverage.
    Tsanyawa stressed that the four-day exercise would be conducted alongside the annual Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW).
    The aim, he said, was to prevent complicated and severe malaria incidences among the age group.
    He also said that the MNCHW, conducted twice every year “is a high impact low-cost intervention offered to pregnant women
    and children below the age of five to increase coverage level of preventive and curative health indicators.”
    He highlighted that the previous exercise conducted in January 2022 recorded huge success, with Vitamin A covering more than 88 per cent.
    Tsanyawa expressed optimism that the current round of the exercise would also achieve greater impact, considering the government’s increased support.
    He said Vitamin A supplements would be given to more than 3.1 million children, while over 2.8 million children would be dewormed.
    There would also be childhood immunisation of about 68,135 children, while antenatal services would also be provided, the commissioner said.
    Furthermore, the exercise would provide nutritional status screening for over three million children and birth registration would also be conducted.
    Newsmen reports that the twin exercises would begin on July 5, and would last for four days.

  • Kano Rep defects from APC, says it’s time to move on

    Alhaji Shamsudeen Dambazau, member representing Takai/ Sumaila Federal Constituency of Kano State has announced his decision to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Dambazau in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said he was leaving the APC for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) under the leadership of Dr Rabi’u Kwankwaso.

    He said that the unfortunate development within the APC in the state necessitated his action.

    He stressed that sincere sacrifices had to be made in a bid to solve “deep rooted national problems” hence the need to move on.

    “Today, I, Hon. Shamsudeen Dambazau has formally decamped to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) under the leadership of Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, a man of integrity and respect.

    “This came after due consultations with my team and supporters.

    “However, the recent and unfortunate, developments within the party make it almost impossible to continue participating and making productive contributions to the advantage of the party and the people of my constituency.

    “Our national problems are deep rooted and require that we all make sincere sacrifices towards rescuing our constituencies, states and country at large,” he said.

    He stressed that his commitment to rescuing his constituency and Kano State remained firm even if the routes vary.

    “I wish to extend my appreciation personally for the opportunity to serve within the APC, but it is time I move on to where our interests align,” he said.

  • Gas explosion: President Buhari commiserates with Kano people

    Gas explosion: President Buhari commiserates with Kano people

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has commiserated with the people of Kano State, over May 17 gas explosion which claimed many lives in the state.

    Buhari said this when he visited the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero at his palace in Kano as part of his working visit to the state.

    The president commended the people of the state for their continued support to his administration.
    In his remarks, Bayero expressed gratitude for the visit, saying that the state has always been a home to the president, and many people have great respect for him.

    Bayero lauded the Buhari administration for its commitment to infrastructure development in the state and the country at large.

    He assured of the Emirate’s support to the president to ensure successful completion of his tenure in office.

  • Ganduje lays foundation for construction of 500 houses in Kano

    Ganduje lays foundation for construction of 500 houses in Kano

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, on Friday, performed the groundbreaking for the construction of 500 houses at Rafin Mallam and Yola in Ungogo Local Government Area of the state.

    Ganduje, represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, said that the project would assist in reducing the housing deficit in the state.

    He said that the 500 houses would be the first phase, adding that 3,500 of the housing units would be constructed in the Teachers’ Reserved Area (TRA).

    According to him, this is part of his administration’s efforts to provide affordable houses to the citizens, with the support of the Federal Government.

    “Our administration is committed to the provision of qualitative infrastructure, and in our bid to create an enabling environment, we have directed the Ministry of Environment to provide seedlings for the planting of trees at the site.

    “These houses are meant for teachers, civil servants and members of the public in general,’’ he said.

    Ganduje also said that the project would boost the economy through job creation for the teeming unemployed youth in the state.

    He urged the contractors handling the project to patronise the markets in the state while purchasing the needed materials.

    The governor also appealed to the contractors to ensure the timely completion of the project in accordance with the agreement.

    He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support for the development of the housing sector in the state.

    Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, Mr Femi Kolawale, described the project as a milestone that would create 5,000 jobs.

    Kolawale, represented by Mr Musa Shu’aibu, commended the state government for the partnership, assuring that his firm would construct quality and standard houses.

    Newsmen reports that allocation letters were presented to the beneficiaries of the scheme at the occasion.

  • Kano govt reacts to Sabon Gari explosion

    Kano govt reacts to Sabon Gari explosion

    The Kano State government has called on residents to remain calm after Tuesday’s explosion in Sabon Gari, Kano.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Muhammed Garba, the state’s Commissioner for Information on Tuesday in Kano.

    Garba said that the situation has been brought under control, as security agencies had taken over the area for rescue operations and investigation.

    “The state government will keep the public abreast on any development,” he said.

    Garba cautioned residents against fake news and speculations on the incident.

    He also faulted claim that the explosion occurred in a school, saying that it happened near an animal feed store opposite the school on Aba Road, Sabon Gari, Kano.

    He said that while the cause of the explosion and the damages were yet to be ascertained, investigation has commenced.

    He urged residents especially those living in the area to remain calm, saying that the government was working to restore nomalcy in collaboration with relevant security agencies.

    The police command in the state had confirmed the killing of four persons following the incident.

  • Viewers discretion: Gory scenes at Kano bomb blast showing suicide bomber

    Viewers discretion: Gory scenes at Kano bomb blast showing suicide bomber

    A video clip has emerged online depicting the body of alleged suicide bomber at Sabon Garin in Kano State, North-West Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru com, (TNG) reports skeletal information had emerged earlier on Tuesday morning on a bomb blast in Kano.

    Watch video below at viewer’s discretion:

    https://twitter.com/tngbreaking/status/1526519094618603524

     

     

  • Hanifa’s murder: School proprietor opens defence

    Hanifa’s murder: School proprietor opens defence

    A school proprietor in Kano, Abdulmalik Tanko, being tried along with others over alledged kidnap and murder of his pupil, Halifa Abubakar, on Monday, opened his defence, denying committing the offense.

    Tanko, 34, alongside Hashimu Isyaku, 37 and Fatima Musa, 26, all residents of Tudun Murtala Quarters, Kano, are standing trial before a Kano High Court.

    They are being tried on a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy, attempt to kidnap, abetment, kidnapping and concealing dead body of the five year-old pupil

    Led in evidence by M.L.Usman, his defence counsel ,Tanko said himself and two other defendants did not know how late Hanifa died.

    He said that in Dec.2021, he had a serious financial problem and therefore went to the bank to secure loan, but was told he had not satisfied requirements for granting of such loan.

    “On Dec.4,2021, I decided to go and pick Hanifa from Islamiyya School with a tricycle, which I hired, and took her to my house situated at Tudun Murtala Quarters Kano.

    ” On arriving home, my wife asked me whose child she was and I told her she was the daughter of one of my staff who traveled, and would be back in two to three days.

    “On Dec.10,2021, I was on my way to the market when I met one Habu, who applied for a job of security guard in my school but was yet tp be employed.
    ” I told him I have a simple job for him,and that he should come over to the school at Tudun Murtala; I told himthat there was a child he would look after for me for only one day, within the school premises.

    “We exchanged telephone numbers and he accepted to come over 11:30pm, after which we parted ways.
    “On the same date at about past 10:00 p.m, I left the house with Hanifa while she was seriously sleeping; the distance from my house to the school is not far.

    “Hanifa slept in one of the office on a three seater chair in the office, and I locked and left her in the school”, Tanko said.
    He also testified that on his way back home, he tried reaching Habu ,adding that the next day at about 7:30 a.m , he went to the school and was shocked to find Hanifa still sleeping in same position he left her.

    ”I touched her hand and there was no response”, he added, telling the court that he lied to the second defendant to come over to bury the corpse enclosed in a sack in his school premises.

    During cross-examination, the prosecution counsel, Kano State Attorney-General, Barr Musa Abdullahi-Lawan, asked the defendant if the second and third defendants knew Hanifa was kidnapped and how she later died.

    Tanko responded that the two were not aware that the pupil was kidnapped and the circumstances that led to her death.
    The judge,Justice Usman Na’abba, adjourned the matter until May 10, for continuation of defence.

    Thenewsguru.com recalls that the prosecution counsel had on April 12, closed its case against the defendants, with nine witnesses and tendered 14 exhibits.

    The offences are said to have contravened Sections 97, 95 and 273, 274(b) and 277 of the Penal Code, Laws of Kano State, 1991.

  • Court sentences 19-year-old man to death by hanging

    Court sentences 19-year-old man to death by hanging

    A Kano High Court on Monday sentenced one Ibrahim Khalil,19, to death by hanging for kidnapping his five-year-old nephew, Ahmad Ado and causing his death.

    Khalil, whose address was not provided was convicted on a two-count charge of kidnapping and culpable homicide for causing the death of his victim by celling his nose and mouth with a sellotape.

    The Presiding Judge, Justice Usman Na’abba, held that the prosecution had proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced the convict to 14 years imprisonment for kidnapping.

    Na’abba also sentenced him to death by hanging for homicide.

    Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Mr Lamido Sorondinki, informed the court that the convict committed the offence sometimes in 2019 at Karkasara Quarters, Kano.

    “The defendant kidnapped his sister’s son, Ado and in the process used a sellotape to cover his nose and mouth resulting in suffocation leading to his death.

    “He buried him in a shallow grave at Sabuwar Sheka Kano,” he said.

    The prosecution presented three witnesses to the court and presented four exhibit to prove its case against the defendant.

    The convict, however, denied committing the offence.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened section 274 and 221 (a) of the Penal Code.