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Tag: Kano

  • 52 kidnap victims rescued in Kano

    52 kidnap victims rescued in Kano

    •Police recover 273 ammunition 

    The Kano State Police Command rescued 52 kidnap victims, arrested 347 rape suspects and sued 331 of them to court in 2017, it was learnt yesterday.

    The police spokesman, Magaji Musa Majiya, in an end-of-year report, said the victims were rescued and reunited with their relatives.

    According to Majiya, 35 vehicles were recovered, 73 arms and 273 live ammunition were mopped out of circulation in 2017.

    The recovered items are worth N744, 699,046, he added.

    His words: “”Comparatively, 2016 witnessed 72 robbery cases and 117 arrests, while for the current year, only 35 cases were reported and 76 suspects arrested. Also, 547 rape and sexual assault offences were reported in 2016, while 334 cases were received in 2017, indicating a major decline in this crime.

    “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Rabiu Yusuf, is pleased to inform the public that 2017 is yet another successive year of progress as far as security of life and property is concerned.

    “Crime has drastically gone down, especially when focused on the adequate security arrangements strategically deployed in the state; the number of crime and criminals detected/arrested, and the collaboration with the public, especially traditional institutions, community leaders, NGO’S, and other strategic partners.

    “It is a year in which the public have made a robust input into the security-enhancing preventive measures.”

  • Kano Police Command records 334 rape cases in 2017

    Kano Police Command records 334 rape cases in 2017

    The Kano State Police Command on Friday said it had recorded 334 cases of rape and other sexual offences in the state from January to date.

    The command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Magaji Majiya disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the command’s year review in Kano.

    ”Five Hundred and Forty Seven cases of rape and other sexual offences were reported in 2016 while 334 cases were received in 2017, indicating a major reduction in committing crimes in the state,” he said.

    According to him, the command had recorded 601 major crimes, recovered 35 stolen vehicles and recovered N744.6 million property in the period under review.

    Majiya noted that the rate of crime had drastically gone down in the year under review considering the adequate security arrangements strategically deployed in the State and the number of criminals arrested with the synergy of the public and stakeholders involved.

    He said 52 kidnapped victims were rescued and reunited with their respective families, 73 different types of local arms and 273 live ammunitions were recovered from suspects.

    “In the year 2016 the command witnessed 72 cases of armed robbery with 117 suspects arrested, while for the current year (2017), only 35 cases of robbery were reported and 76 suspects arrested.

    According to him, the command had successfully arrested 497 members of different gangs of Yandaba (miscreants) in collaboration with traditional rulers and other security agencies.

    “Eighty nine of the group had surrendered and renounced the perpetration of the heinous crime
    in addition to counseling and monitoring their conduct, for them to become responsible members of the society,” Majiya said.

    He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police war against corruption gaining ground within the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force, had appeared to be a spectacular success in the Kano pcontinue olice command.

    Majiya called on the general public and other stakeholders to support the command in its determined efforts to flush the remaining criminals out of the state in 2018.

  • Commercial tricycle operators raise fares in Kano

    Commercial tricycle operators raise fares in Kano

    As petrol scarcity bites harder in Kano metropolis, commercial tricycle operators on Friday increased their fares by about 70 per cent.

    Reports say that the petrol scarcity had reduced the number of tricycle operators popularly known as “Yan’adaidaita’’ on the roads.

    Some of the operators now charged between N150 and N200 on some intra city routes against the previous N100.

    Commuter going to Sabon Gari from Rijiyar Zaki paid between N250 and N300 against former fare of N200.

    One of the operators, Isa Umar, said the petrol scarcity had seriously affected his business, saying that he was operating at a loss.

    “I fill up my tricycle’s tank with N1,000 before fuel scarcity, but now I fill up with N1,700, and I hardly recover my money.

    Read also: Fuel scarcity: Falana advises Fed Govt to deploy police to monitor supply of fuel

    “I prefer to buy fuel from black market because you will not waste time,’’ he said.

    Some motorists appealed to the Federal Government to urgently do something before the situation would cripple economic activities.

    Reports say that out of the six filling stations along Gwarzo Road, only A. A Rano filling station was selling petrol at the official pump price of N145 per litre.

    Other filling stations (independent marketers) were dispensing petrol at between N220 and N225 per litre.

    NAN

  • Power: NNPC plans 4,600mw plants in FCT, Kaduna, Kano

    Power: NNPC plans 4,600mw plants in FCT, Kaduna, Kano

    Nigerians may soon enjoy better electricity, courtesy of the three plants being planned for three cities by the the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the proposed expansion by a private company in Lagos, reports  AKINOLA AJIBADE

    WITH a plan by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to establish power plants in Kaduna, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), there is hope for improved power supply.

    The NNPC put the megawatts (mw) capacity of the plants at 4, 600.

    If achieved, power generation may rise above 9, 000 megawatts.

    The development came yesterday  on the heels of plans by Egbin Power Plc, near Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, to raise its generation capacity from 1,250mw to 1,800mw.

    According to a report by the Advisory Power Team in the Office of the Vice President, power generation figures in the first three weeks of this month were: 5, 156mw, 5, 077mw and 5,103mw.

    In a statement in Abuja by NNPC spokesman Ndu Ughamadu, theoil giant said additional 4, 600mw will be generated through the recently-approved contract for the construction of the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, dubbed the AKK Pipeline.

    According to the statement, the AKK pipeline has started yielding early benefits with the commitment by the corporation to build power-generating plants with combined capacity of 4550 megawatts in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states.

    The power plant in Abuja is expected to generate 1,350 mw, Kaduna (900mw) and Kano (2,350mw).

    Quoting the NNPC Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr Maikanti Baru, Ughamadu said the corporation, in partnership with private investors, would build power-generating plants to support Federal Government’s effort to providing stable electricity in the country.

    The statement quoted the GMD as saying: “As part of the drive to establish power plants to augment the power supply to the nation, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has recently approved the AKK Gas Pipeline project to be financed through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

    “The project comes with other auxiliary ones which include: 1,350 megawatts, 900 megawatts and 2,350 megawatts of power generation plants in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano respectively.”

    It said the NNPC in partnership with private investors would also build fertilizer plants in some parts of the country, one of which would be located at Izzon, Niger State.

    The NNPC spokesman said that in line with the presidential mandate on oil exploration in all the frontier basins, the corporation was well-focused on the exploration in the Bida Basin.

    “We have contracted the geological mapping of the Bida Basin to Ibrahim Babangida University, Lapai and the job would be completed in three months,” the statement said.

    Ughamadu said the corporation would go into more detailed seismic data acquisition in the Bida Basin by August 2018, to be followed by an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) exercise.

    He said as part of the corporation’s effort to decongest the highways, the NNPC would encourage private investors to build tanker parking facilities around Minna Depot, Suleja Depot, Tegina, Mokwa, amongst others and charge the users of the facility appropriately.

    The statement said talks were ongoing with the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing to re-introduce weight bridges on the highways to checkmate the issue of excessive loading by tankers above the recommended 46, 000 ton gross weight.

    “The NNPC on its part has already directed all its depots nationwide to stop loading tankers with loading capacity above 40, 000litres,” he said.

    In Lagos, the Egbin Egbin Power Plc, spoke of plans to shore up its capacity from 1, 250mw by 550 mw with through the use of modern technologies and renewable energy sources.

    Its Chairman, Chief Kola Adesina, said the decision to achieve the feat was part of the Phase II of the project, initiated and contained in the maiden sustainability report of Egbin in 2015.

    The report had “Securing the Future” as its theme. It contained the highlights of the efforts of made by the company to ensure a satisfactory management of its assets, operations and relationships and to achieve growth.

    According to Adesina, the report has helped the firm in putting in entrenching solid structures towards becoming the biggest thermal plant in the sub-region.

    He said: “Sahara Group (owners of Egbin Power Company), has in conjunction with Korea Energy Limited, acquired majority shareholding in order to complete Egbin’s privatisation in 2013. Following its privatisation, Egbin has invested in human, capital and infrastructure upgrade to enhance efficiency.

    “This is evident in its planned investments in additional gas pipelines, the proposed Floating Storage & Regasification Unit (FSRU) project, Egbin Phase II project with an estimated capacity of between 1,350mw and 1800mw, using modern technologies as well as the deployment of renewable energy sources to boost the Plant’s productivity.”

    According to him, Egbin Power Plc, has collaborated with other stakeholders, with a view to drive the adoption of a strategic direction that would reposition the sector for optimized performance.

    The chairman said the company was leveraging on the recently declared eligible customer regime and mini grid regulations to advance system stability and improved service delivery.

    He said the plan would enable power sector operators establish various resolution mechanisms to deal with critical challenges within the system to increase generation capacity.

  • Aisha Buhari inaugurate youths in Kano

    Aisha Buhari inaugurate youths in Kano

    The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has inaugurated Aisha Buhari Skills Acquisition Centre for women and youths aimed at eradicating drug and youth restiveness among the younger generation.

    Mrs Buhari who performed the inaugural ceremony in Kano, also presented certificates to 500 graduates who were trained on modern fish farming, paint making, shoe and bags making as well as leather works.

    The wife of the president, however, used the occasion to call on wealthy individuals in Nigeria to support the beneficiaries with start-up capital to enable them to earn a decent living.

    The centre, inaugurated under her pet project, the “Future Assured” initiative, will be charged with the responsibility of training women and youths in different skills acquisitions.

    She also said that the beneficiaries, who were part of the second batch of her skills acquisition, were trained in barbing and manicure.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari denies car gifts from Police IG

    Mrs Buhari advised the graduands to utilise the skills acquired to set-up their businesses to enable them to be employers of labour, instead of being job seekers.

    In her speech, the wife of Kano State Governor, Dr. Hafsat Ganduje, expressed gratitude to Mrs Buhari for providing necessary support to women and youths in the state.

    Hafsat said that the wife of the president was in Kano to add value to the people of the state, a week after the official working visit of her husband President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

    Mrs Ganduje, who recalled the similar gesture done to women of Kano state by Mrs Buhari in the last quarter of the year where 2,200 women were trained in different skills acquisition programme, prayed God to reward her.

    The wife of president inspected the exhibition of the materials and handiwork of the graduands.

    Earlier, Buhari visited the residence of late Danmasanin Kano, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Sule, to condole the family over the death of the first Republic politician

  • Durbar fiesta at Kaduna centenary

    Durbar fiesta at Kaduna centenary

    One thousand decorated horses and a herd of adorned camels were part of the spectacle as Kaduna marked its 100th anniversary.

    It is a day of royalty, trumpets and decorated horses and camels. But the more Kaduna State residents witness the durbar the more they want to see it again. That was the case at the weekend when about 3,000 colourfully decorated horses and camels came out of the stables of 11 influential emirates in Northern Nigeria.

    It was a grand ‘Durbar’ in honour of Kaduna city and its people on the occasion of its centenary celebration. Royalty and culture were on display to the amusement and delight of dignitaries and thousands who converged on the popular Murtala Muhammed Square, Kaduna for the occasion.

    The durbar is a popular culture in Northern Nigeria dating back hundreds of years to the time when the Emirates (states) in the region used horses in warfare. It is a fiesta for special occasions in such Emirates as Katsina, Borno, Kano, Zazzau, Keffi, Bauchi and Bida, among others.

    The last time a grand durbar like the one display at the weekend was seen was 40 years ago during the Festival of Arts and Culture, popularly known as (FESTAC) 77. On that occasion, Emirates from across the North participated in the traditional horse event. Elderly people like the present Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris who participated in the 1977 FESTAC Durbar can tell the story better.

    Prior to the FESTAC 77, durbar was a display of war strength with each town, district, and the nobility contributing a regiment to the defense of the Emirate. Once or twice a year, the Emirate’s military chiefs invited the various regiments for a durbar (military parade) for the Emir and his chiefs. During the parade, regiments would showcase their horsemanship, their preparedness for war, and their loyalty to the Emirate.

    Today, Durbar has become a festival in honour of visiting heads of state and even event to commemorate the two great Muslim festivals, Eid-el Fitri at the end of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-el Kabir.

    The centenary event saw traditional rulers of Borno, Kano, Zazzau, Katsina, Gombe, Bida, Zazzau, Bauchi, Hadejia, Misau and Keffi among others leading teams of horse riding warriors and displaying their different cultures.

    The traditional music played with drums and trumpets to accompany the durbar was rythymical, with gunshots in the air.

    The colourful centenary celebrations, according to Kaduna State government, was to showcase the rich history of the city, as the capital city of the Northern Nigeria, the rich cultural heritage of the North and to open up sources of revenue for all the state governments through promotion of tourism and boost the economy of the Northern states.

    Kaduna became the capital of the northern protectorate in 1914, when the colonial Governor General, Lord Fredrick Lugard relocated the capital from Zungeru, Niger State, to Kaduna.

    The city served as the capital of the northern region before the creation of states and has remained the political capital of the north even with the creation of states.

    Governor Nasir el-Rufai said, “Kaduna is a Borno city because the state’s first indigenous governor was Shettima Kashim Ibrahim who was also a title holder in Borno State.

    “And we chose the present Shehu of Borno to lead today’s durbar because coincidentally, his grandfather led the first durbar in 1956 while his father led the FESTAC durbar in 1977. Also, the incumbent Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, rode on the 1977 FESTAC durbar when he was much a younger Emir. This history was related to us by our royal Father, the Emir of Zazzau”, the Governor said.

    Aside the Emirs who led Durbar, other important personalities like the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno, Governor Aminu Bello Masari, Deputy Governors of Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau as well as Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and a host of others, captain of industries graced the occasion, while President Muhammadu Buhari was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alh Muhammad Bello.

    The President said Kaduna is the melting point of Nigeria’s politics, saying it had played a significant role in the region as well as Nigeria, adding that, the city was destined to play significant role in the development of Northern region and Nigeria at large.

    Buhari stressed that, celebrating the 100 years of Kaduna’s existence as a political capital is by no means a child’s, thus his happiness that the celebration is happening under a progressive government .

    He said, “I have noted with admiration that the state has achieved alot under Governor Nasir Ahmed Elrufai who is a progressive governor as he has started implementing the vision he wants to see the state attain in the next 100 years”.

    The President reiterated the determination of his administration to solve the power problem bedevilling the nation, saying, once this is done, many industries in Kaduna that are in comatose will be back as well as other states in the country.

    El-rufai remarked that the state occupies an important position in Nigeria, saying, apart from being one of the oldest cities in the country it was the pioneer administrative headquarters in the Northern Nigeria.

    To this end, after 100 years of being a state  it has become imperative to celebrate the greatness it had attained with the view of laying a solid foundation for the future.

    According to the state governor, they have a duty to do so for posterity,pointing out, the centenary celebration will therefore showcase the rich history of Kaduna as well as showcase it’s rich cultural heritage of the region.

    He said the event will promote tourism, boost the economy of the Northern states and promote unity.

    “It is a great pleasure and honour to be hosting our guests to Kaduna’s Centenary Celebration. We know Kaduna can be better and we are determined to regain its glory,” he said.

    “We pay tribute to those who made this city, and we honour the resilience of its residents. We must make the next century one of peace, harmony and prosperity.”

    “Thus, we celebrate the first 100 years of Kaduna, not because they have been perfect. We celebrate, not because there have not been regrettable incidents in this city. We celebrate because the promise of Kaduna endures.

    “We celebrate because its residents are resilient. We celebrate because there is a future, a chance to reclaim the glory, break new ground and make Kaduna an example of diversity and integration, a dynamo of progress and a model of development.

    “We celebrate because the stains

    and losses of the past are not our destiny. We celebrate because we know that we can be better, and Kaduna is ready to be great again”, he said.

  • Kano destroys illicit drugs worth N4.1bn

    Kano destroys illicit drugs worth N4.1bn

    The Kano State Government said on Monday that it had destroyed illicit drugs worth N4.1 billion confiscated in the state this year.

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje who revealed this at the Senate Roundtable on Drug Abuse Epidemic held in Kano, said this was part of the renewed fight against drug abuse in the state.

    The event was organised by the Senate as a way of finding lasting solution to the hard drug crisis in the country.

    Ganduje, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, said the drugs were confiscated in different parts of the state after being imported by unpatriotic medicine dealers.

    He disclosed that the state government had also confiscated another consignment of illicit drugs worth N1 billion which would soon be destroyed.

    Read also: Kano spends N81.2m on maternal health

    The governor said the menace of hard drugs in the state was beyond the capacity of the state government to contain.

    “The fight against drug abuse is an issue that requires active Federal Government’s intervention as it is beyond the capacity of the state government,” he said.

    He said as part of its efforts to tackle the problem, the state government had set up a task force to deal with it, pointing out that the committee was doing its best.

    “Even in 2012 during the administration of former Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, a task force was set up for it and was given all the necessary support to work.

    “But as I said, the fight is far beyond the capacity of the state government. There is need for all stakeholders to join hands together to fight the menace,” he said.

    According to him, the state government had recently expanded the rehabilitation center for the victims of drug abuse in the state.

    He commended the Senate for initiating the roundtable and expressed hope that it would go a long way in addressing the problem.

    He also lauded the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for choosing Kano as the venue for the event, in view of the relevance of the state to the issue at stake.

    Various stakeholders from across the country attended the roundtable.

    NAN

  • Saudi-based FlyNas Airline begins operation in Kano

    Saudi Arabia-based airline, FlyNas Air Services, yesterday launched itself into the Nigerian aviation market through at the Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano State.

    It lifted 106 passengers from Kano to Jeddah.

    According to the Director of Business Support, Khalid Al-Din, FlyNAS Air Service is expected to limit its operation from MAKIA to Jeddah for the main time.

    He added that the airline is programmed to operate once a week, saying “we shall gradually improve our services depending on the volume of passengers that patronise us.

    His words: “Presently, FlyNas has over 30 aircrafts in its fleet, but we are deploying an airbus 330, with a capacity of 165 passengers which landed at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport about 2.15am on Saturday, and departed the airport with 106 passengers about 4am, to Jeddah.

    “We started operation three years ago in Nigeria, through a BASA agreement between Nigeria and the Saudi Arabian government, which gave FlyNAS the discretion to come and participate as a carrier in the Hajj operation in which we performed successfully.”

  • Kano poll agency gets secretary

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has approved the appointment of Wada Bashir Isiaku as secretary of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information Garba Muhammad said Isiaku was a former Secretary of the commission from 2003 to 2007.

    Isiaku holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and Bachelor’s in Law from Bayero University, Kano.

    He worked with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as electoral officer in Bagwai, Gezawa, and Ajingi Local Government Areas, and Head of Logistics, state INEC headquarters.

    Isiaku was also a part-time lecturer with the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Kano.

    His appointment takes immediate effect.

  • Kano spends N81.2m on maternal health

    The Kano State government will spend N81.2 million for the second round of the 2017 Maternal, New Born and Child Health (MNCH) week, it was learnt yesterday.

    The scheme is targeting over 2.6 million children under the ages of five and 650,000 expectant women.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, who addressed reporters on activities lined-up for the week-long event, said the event will be held in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government, UNICEF and other development partners.

    His words: “The week will also allow us deliver health services to mothers, new born, and children through the existing healthcare system, at both primary and secondary levels of care. The programme will hold between December 18 and 22.”

    Getso said the services to be rendered include de-worming of children from one to five years, immunization of children under five, ante-natal care services, malaria, prophylaxis for expectant women, vitamin A supplement for children between six months and six years, nutritional status screening, HIV/AIDS counselling, testing services, birth registration, among others.

    “These services and interventions will be delivered free in 39 secondary hospitals and over 1,200 primary health care centres across the 44 local government areas, including about 7,000 health personnel, which will be followed  by an increase of coverage expected to reach more expectant women and children,” he added.