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  • Kano signs $15m deal on customised CNG programme

    Kano signs $15m deal on customised CNG programme

    Kano State Investment Promotion Agency (KANINVEST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with STATA Power Utility Nigeria Limited on implementation of customised gas programme in the State.

    Speaking at the signing of the MoU at KANINVEST headquarters in Kano, the Director General of the agency, Muhammad Nazir Halliru said the deal, worth $15 million, is a significant milestone towards creating a more conducive environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, keeping a healthier and clean environment and as well creating job opportunities.

    He said the programme, when implemented, will entail the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and conversion of vehicles from using petroleum gas.

    Halliru explained that the effort is to address the challenges of petroleum prices and transportation in the state.

    “The supply of the gas will go beyond only the vehicles but also supplying to industries and major companies that are using CNG or can opt to use it in order to improve their production and their services,” he said.

    The DG disposed that the implementation of the partnership would be in about six months time after the company sets up the gas stations in the state.

    He said the approval of Governor Abba Yusuf for the huge investment with the hope that the implementation will be in the next months or six months.

    “They are also going to have  additional incentives in terms of tax waivers as a pioneer investment,” he added.

    Chief Executive Officer of the company, Salman Dantata, said the MoU when realised would help in bringing down the cost of transportation and while boosting industrialisation in Kano.

    “This initiative is in line with global trends toward cleaner energy, economic development, and environmental sustainability.

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    “By transitioning from traditional fuel sources to compressed natural gas, CNG, for automobiles, this program seeks to reduce the transportation costs, improve air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy efficiency across Kano State,” he said.

    Dantata said the firm will invest in conversion kits and set up the conversion centres within the stations.

    He said in one year, the company would be providing 5000 solar-powered tricycles and 10 motor vehicles for commercial purposes in the state.

    The mother station is to be sited at Tamburawa in Kura Local Government area of the state with a capacity of 110 metric tons a day.

    The sister gas stations, with 2 metric tons capacity each, according to Dantata, would be situated at, Dalladi Nasidi, Maiduguri Road, IBB Road, Shagari Quaters, Cotton Gingery, Sharada and Bechi quarters.

    He disclosed that in five-year time, the firm will expand to 20 stations creating over 300 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs.

    Director General KANINVEST, Muhammad Halliru (right) with STATA Power Utility Nigeria Limited CEO, Salman Dantata, after the MoU in Kano …on Friday

  • Kano to revive 44 abandoned garment industries – official

    Kano to revive 44 abandoned garment industries – official

    The Kano State Government says it is committed to reviving all abandoned garment clusters initiated by the administration of former governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.

    The Commissioner for Local Government, Mohammed Tajo-Othman, gave the assurance in an interview on Friday in Kano, while expressing disappointment over the state of the centres across the 44 local government areas.

    He noted that the previous administration had abandoned the project, which was originally intended to create jobs and boost the state’s economy.

    He said the present administration was determined to revitalise all garment industries across the 44 local government areas in the state.

    The commissioner explained that the goal of the project was to provide jobs for the youth of Kano and stimulate economic growth.

    “The plan is for the industries to produce school uniforms for both public and private schools,” he added.

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    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf to successfully revive the garment industries.

    The newly deployed commissioner said he was ready to hit the ground running as directed by the governor.

    “The governor has directed us to hit the ground running to ensure that every part of the state is livable, especially as we concentrate efforts toward Kano rural areas ,” he said.

    He said that the construction of five-kilometer roads with solar street lights in various local governments was expected to positively impact the lives of residents.

    “The projects will also enhance infrastructure, create jobs, and boost economic activities across the local government areas,” Othman stated, reiterating that the current administration was fully committed to improving the living standards of people at the grassroots.

  • Kano to prosecute tax defaulters in 2025, targets N80bn IGR

    Kano to prosecute tax defaulters in 2025, targets N80bn IGR

    The Kano State government on Saturday announced that it will commence the prosecution of all tax defaulters next year, as part of its major reforms in tax administration.

    This is just as the state is targeting to generate over N80 billion through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the coming year, by projecting the generation of over N20 billion IGR each quarter of 2025.

    A statement by Governor Abba Yusuf’s Spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said the disclosure was made by the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr. Zaid Abubakar.

    The statement said the KIRS chairman made the disclosure during a presentation to Governor Yusuf at the ongoing High-Level Retreat for top government officials.

    Dr. Abubakar clarified that the reform is not aimed at increasing taxes but improving the efficiency of tax collection and ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

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    Dawakin Tofa said: “It is worth recalling that Governor Abba Yusuf had relieved the immediate past chairman of the revenue service and appointed a new management structure.

    “This decision has significantly improved the agency’s performance in the third and fourth quarters of 2024.

    “To ensure effective reforms in revenue generation, the governor will commission a new model for tax collection.

    “This model is expected to substantially increase revenue generation for the 2025 fiscal year, to enable the administration fulfill its campaign promises across various critical sectors of development.”

  • Kano understudies Lagos in traditional medicine

    Kano understudies Lagos in traditional medicine

    To enhance traditional medicine practice and foster inter-state collaboration, a delegation from Kano State has visited Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) for fact-finding and knowledge-sharing.

    Welcoming the delegation, the Registrar, Prince Babatunde Adele, said the visit was a significant step towards sharing knowledge and expertise in traditional healing methods.

    He noted that it was encouraging to see such inter-state cooperation in preserving the rich healing heritage for the advancement and growth of both states, regions and Nigeria at large.

    Prof. Salisu Ahmed, one of the delegates, said the objective of the visit was to understudy the operations of LSTMB.

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    He said: “By observing first-hand the successful practices implemented in Lagos, the Kano State delegation aims to gather insights that can be applied to further develop traditional medicine in our state and region.”

    The Director, Research, Training and Development, LSTMB, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said the visit symbolised a commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich traditional healing heritage.

    “Through this exchange, both states aim to pave the way for a more integrated and regulated traditional medicine sector that prioritises the well-being of practitioners and patients,” he added.

  • Kano primary school in need of pencils

    Kano primary school in need of pencils

    Kumbotso Special Primary School in Kumbotso local government area of Kano State is in need of pencils to enable the pupils write.

    Head Master of the school, Shuaibu Idris, disclosed this when this writer, alongside other journalists, visited the school to inspect the level of implementation of the state of emergency declared on education sector by Governor Abba Yusuf.

    Kumbotso Primary School, the first school in the council, established in 1948, currently has 2,890 pupils, out of which 1,502 are females.

    While some schools are in dire need of toilets and furniture (seats), Kumbotso, in its scale of preference, The Nation found out, is in need of at least 2,890 pencils for its pupils at the moment.

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    Idris, who has been the school’s headmaster since August 4, 2021, disclosed that the school has 14 classrooms, out of which only four have furniture.

    “We have many challenges here, but our most important need at the moment is pencils. We need pencils for our pupils,” he emphasised.

    He added: “We also need furniture, particularly desks for our pupils who receiving lessons on bare floors. We have 14 classrooms in this school. Out of that however, only four classrooms have furniture.”

    Additionally, the school is in need of a parameter fence and two security personnel to safeguard the school against thieves and invaders.

    As part of its agenda to reform the education sector after the declaration of state of emergency, a one-storey building with four classrooms and two offices is under construction in the school and already at 90 percent completion.

     The Village Head of Kumbotso, (Sarkin Fulani) Aminu Iliyasu, appreciated the state government’s efforts, especially for constructing a storey building in the school.

    Another school, Sumakai Science and Mathematics Primary School, Kura Kofar Gabas in Kura local government area of Kano State is in need of toilets.

  • Kano closes case against ‘mosque arsonist’

    Kano closes case against ‘mosque arsonist’

    The Kano State Government yesterday closed its case before an Upper Shari’a Court, against Shafi’u Abubakar, 38, the alleged mosque arsonist.

    Abubakar, who lives in Gezawa Local Government Kano, is charged with culpable homicide, attempted murder, causing grievous hurt and mischief by fire.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the prosecution had earlier presented six witnesses.

    At the resumed sitting, the Prosecution Counsel and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Kano State Ministry of Justice, Salisu Tahir presented ASP l Abdullahi Sajo, as prosecution witness (Pw 7).

    Tahir also tendered the defendant’s confessional statement in English and Hausa languages, and pictures of the victims as exhibit.

    The Pw7, ASP Abdullahi Sajo, 45, a Police Officer attached to Kano State CID, testified that he has served 24 years in the police .

    “On May 15, at about 8: a.m, we received a signal from the Gezawa Police Division, Kano, that the defendant went to a mosque in Gadan Larabar Abasawa Village, poured petrol and lighted a fire while the victims were praying at about 5:05 to 5:20 a.m.

    “On the same date at about noon, the police attached to the Gezawa Division brought the defendant to the State CID.

    “Two other officers; Insp. Iguptil Meambu and Insp. Ruth Adeka and I interrogated the defendant in the presence of his brother, Aminu Abubakar.

    “The defendant said that on May 14, on his way home at about 6:p.m, he bought N7,000 fuel in his tricycle at a filling station along Hadeja Road Kano.

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    “On May 15, he transferred the fuel, into a jerrican, went to the mosque, poured the petrol, set the mosque on fire and then went to Gezawa Police to report himself,” he said.

    He added that he saw 25 people at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in critical condition out of which 23 later died.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 140, 148, 167 and 370 of Kano State Shari’a Penal Code Law, 2000.

  • Abba Kabir Yusuf: Garlands to an educational reformer

    Abba Kabir Yusuf: Garlands to an educational reformer

    • By Suleiman Hamid

    Saturday 5 October 2024 saw an influx of red-capped individuals who flocked to the Eagle Square, Abuja for an important event. Side by side with teachers from the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT, they were for the 2024 World Teachers Day, where the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) honoured the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his outstanding performance in the educational sector, alongside his counterparts from Borno, Oyo, Benue, Enugu, and Kebbi States.

    Governor Yusuf was honoured with prestigious golden award for his exceptional performance in reforming the state’s education sector, during the colourful event. The event was held concurrently as numerous schools all over Kano were undergoing different levels of renovation to correct the decay that characterised them over the past 8 years in the state.

    Transforming Kano’s educational sector with its sheer size is not a day job, but the signs of correction can be seen and the restoration of confidence in the system is as important as reaching the finish line. So, what is Governor Abba doing right?

    First, the education sector got the highest allocation of N95 billion from the proposed N350 billion appropriation bill for the Kano State 2024 fiscal year, which is far beyond the UNESCO recommendation. Concerned about funding this humongous allocation, the governor convened an international conference on education recovery to galvanize the support from national and international stakeholders in the education sector including multi-national and bilateral donor agencies. This has translated into the unlocking of donor funds that were hitherto unavailable to Kano State.
    Another important step the governor took to restore confidence in pursuing higher education by young people in Kano is the settlement of examination fee backlogs owed to local and international examination bodies. The NaZonal Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) was owed examination fees for the 2020, ,2021, 2022 sessions by the state government, Governor Abba Kabir settled this bill in June 2024 and subsequently secured the release of student results which were withheld for three years. He also has paid the sum of N740,000,000.00 to NECO, NBAIS and NBTE for 2023 examinations, one will
    wonder if there was a government in Kano between 2015-23 with the mammoth backlog this administration is having to contend with. The answer lies ahead.

    In response to the increased difficult living condition in Nigeria that has resulted in increase of tuition fees by the federal government in federal institutions, Governor Abba has so far paid the sum of N1,300,000,000.00 to 15 federal institutions to cushion the effect of the economy on Kano students. The Governor took a step further and paid off the backlog of the graduate and postgraduate students that were sponsored by the Kwankwaso administration in various private universities in Nigeria but left to their fate by the Ganduje administration and denied their results, these graduates are all now in possession of their certificates, all thanks to Governor Abba.

    The governor also reviewed the 60-year-old State Education Law and also sent 1,001 graduates with first-class and second-class upper degrees for foreign post-graduate studies in India and Uganda. The students have already cemented their status as leaders in their classrooms by posting golden results ahead of their return to their motherland late this year or early 2025.

    On the home front, Governor Abba has also approved for the reduction of 50% tuition fee in all Kano state owned tertiary institution to reflect relief to the students and their sponsors in the face of economic difficulties in the country.

    He has also refurbished 73 high-capacity buses to shuttle girls to and from school on daily basis within the municipality local government areas, not excluding the increase by 100% the cost of feeding students in boarding schools across the state, this has translated to expending the sum of N4,000,000,000.00 to supply these boarding schools with food supplies promptly.

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    Governor Abba did not stop there, he also bought JAMB forms for 5,000 students in the state. He has also paid the sum of N2,900,000,000.00 to different examination bodies for SSCE Examination 2024 for 109,000 students.

    To encourage the enrolment of pupils in primary school across the state, Gov. Yusuf approved and released the sum of N1,500,000,000.00 for the purchase and sewing of uniforms for Primary 1 pupils numbering more than 800,000 in 2024.

    A healthy teacher makes a healthy student, the governor has prioritised the welfare of teachers by consistently ensuring prompt payment of teachers’ salary on the 25th to 26th of every month. He has also cleared the backlog of promotion from 2017 to 2022 affecting 39,000 eligible personnel in education sectors, mostly teachers. He has approved the payment and implementation of promotion to 20,542 teachers across the 44 Local Government Areas from 2023 to January 2024 with effect from 2nd October 2024.

    Additionally, Governor Yusuf has as well released the sum of N300,000,000.00 to teachers as soft revolving loans. He recruited 5,643 teachers on permanent and pensionable appointment and recruited an additional 4,000 under the BESDA programme. Just last week, he distributed essential teaching and learning materials on a third occasion, spending more than N2,000,000,000.00.

    Let’s get back to the classroom, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has so far spent more than N3,500,000,000.00 to fabricate about 80,000 3-seater seats accommodating 240,000 students that were previously sitting on bare floor.

    The Community Re-orientation Committees (CRC) across the 44 Local Government Areas are currently engaged in renovating and equipping thousands of classrooms in various schools, providing shelter for over 15,000 students at the cost of N2,000,000,000.00.

    The Governor of Kano has approved the sum of N5,000,000,000 for the construction of hundreds of new standard classrooms completion across the 44 LGAs.

    Governor Abba Kabir has also demonstrated profound commitment to restoring the dignity of young people in Kano State by bringing the 26 schools of entrepreneurship and skills back to life. While other schools are currently in various stages of restoration, the governor has officially opened the Kano School of Informatics, the Kano State Driving School, Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre, among others.

    Governor Yusuf has once again prioritised education as a tool for positive change in Kano State within record time. He has been fulfilling the promises of periodic provision of free school desks; renovation of classrooms; construction of new classrooms and office accommodation; and teachers’ recruitment.

    It is incumbent on all of us, the lovers of Kano to support this noble drive and ignore the naysayers. Governor Abba is here for restoration, and the time to fix Kano is now.

  • Fire kills husband, wife, 2-year-old daughter in Kano

    Tragedy struck in the ancient city of Kano, on Wednesday, when unidentified arsonists, reportedly set ablaze a family of three, who were burnt to death.

    It was gathered that the arsonists were said to have locked up the gate of the house and went ahead to set the entire building ablaze.

    An eyewitness account indicated that the gory incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday at Gayawa quarters in Ungogo Local Government area of the State.

    Eye witnesses told reporters that all efforts by neighbours to break the doors to rescue the family failed as the fire raged through the night.

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    However, the spokesperson of Kano State Fire Service Sa’idu Ibrahim, said that they received a distress call on Wednesday at about 3:57 am by one Mudassir Abdullahi, who alerted them about the fire outbreak at Gayawa quarters.

    “Upon our arrival around 4:08 am, we broke the door of the house, and found out that three members of the family, the husband, 50 year old Aminu Bala, his wife, 30 year old Rukayya Aminu and their 2-year-old daughter, Aisha Aminu have suffered high degree of injuries.

    “Our men rushed them to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, where a doctor on duty certified them dead,” Ibrahim said.

    Also, the Police spokesperson in Kano DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who confirmed the incident, said that the Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu, directed for a discreet investigation to ascertain the cause of the dastardly act.

     

     

     

  • Hisbah destroys 196,400 bottles of beer in Kano

    Kano State Hisbah Board has destroyed over 196,400 bottles of beer in its bid to rid the state of consumption of alcohol.

    Speaking shortly after flagging off the destruction exercise at Kalemawa in Dawakin Tofa local Government Area, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said Islam has strongly condemned drinking of alcohol and all other intoxicants that can distort mental capability of a person.

    “ln Islam, drinking of Alcohol is strongly forbidden being one of the back bones of committing sins either big or small and that has been stated out at several places in the Holy Qur’an.

    “Our Islamic Scholars, religious and community leaders should join hands in the crusade against such social vices because issue of taking alcohol is not only Islam that forbids it. To good Christians, consuming Alcohol is also prohibited,” he said.

    Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the governor assured that all other Shari’a agencies in the State would enjoy similar promotion and support with State Hisbah Biard to enable them discharge their mandates.

    He said: “This government is a Shari’a compliant Government. We will continue to support the Hisbah Board more especially as we witnessed the launched of New Hisbah Commanders of all the 44 Local Government Areas and also witnessed the re branding and taking the State Hisbah Board to the next level “.

    Ganduje implored people in the State to accord the needed support and cooperation to the officials of the Hisbah Board, pointing out” giving them all the supports to discharge their duties will not only promote their work but ensure that our society become free from evil social acts “.

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    Commander General Kano State Hisbah Board Sheik Haroon Muhammad Sani ibn Sina disclosed that the board had succeeded in preventing selling and drinking of alcohol under the provision of penal Court section (401) of 2013 shari’a law in Kano.

    According to him, the Board has obtained Court orders under this section to destroy over 12 tippers of alcohol confiscated while trying to bring them in to the State which are meant to distort the life of the teaming youth.

    “It is against this background, I call upon the suppliers and those that consume the alcohol to shun away from this act as Hisbah Board will not relent on its effort to fish out the perpetrators and take them to court at any given time for prosecutions ” he assured.

     

     

     

  • Three rustlers held, 1,000 cows recovered in Kano

    THE Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) team of the Kano State police command in collaboration with members of Miyyeti Allah have arrested three notorious “cattle rustlers”, and recovered 1,000 cattle in an operation at Falgore Forest.

    Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu said the tough operation lasted seven days in the thick forest in Tundun Wada Local Government Area, where the suspects held sway in armed robbery and kidnapping.

    The CP explained that five firearms and a large quantity ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

    He said, “More than 1,000 cows were recovered and three notorious cattle rustlers that specialised in cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed robbery were arrested. All suspects confessed to their crimes and led Puff-Adder Operatives to various locations within the forest were the cows were recovered.”

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    He identified the three suspects as Sa’idu Abdullahi aka Goda, 23, of Soba Local Government Area, Kaduna State; Lawan Mohd aka Boda, 25, of Damau Village; Kubau LGA. Kaduna, and Suleman Abdullahi aka Bros, 30, of Damau Village Kubau LGA, Kaduna State.

    The police chief said the items recovered from them include two AK47 rifles with 110 rounds of live ammunition, three pump action rifles with 22 live cartridges, two military camouflage uniforms as well as four mobile phones.

    He maintained that efforts were on to track down and arrest all remnants of the syndicate at large and recover any remaining animals or arms and ammunition in their possession, across the difficult terrain along the axis of Falgore Forest.