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Stakeholders Urges FG To Indigenize Iron And Steel Industries

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Indigenous stakeholders in the iron and steel sector in Nigeria have appealed to the federal government to indigenize iron and steel industries whereby government holds only marginal interest and the indigenous investors get major interests.

Speaking during meeting of stakeholders in iron and steel sector in Ilorin on Thursday, the chairman, Basic metal, fabricated iron and steel products, Dr. Kamoru Yusuf, said that future of iron and steel business in Nigeria will heavily be dictated by the policy thrust of the government which, he said, must be tailored towards rendering necessary support and ease of doing business to investors in the sector.

FG pledges to provide enabling environment to Gum Arabic farmers

The meeting, organized to deliberate on status of the industry and propose strategies for the development of the sector, was attended by relevant government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as well as local and foreign chief executives of iron and steel companies.

The stakeholders, who said it is the position of the general public that Ajaokuta steel plant should work again in the hands of local investors, added that, Nigeria needs to pride herself as the giant of Africa by making judicious use of her highly talented, patriotic and committed indigenous investors with adequate recognition of the stakes of the government.

“Without mincing words, the assets should not be handed over to foreign investor(s), rather, it should be managed 100 per cent by a competent indigenous investor who had demonstrated capability with evidence of success stories
on existing steel plants and wire processing factories. With this, government can and may own 40%, while the investor will own 60%. This will no doubt, enhance easy, sustainable, and rewarding business fortunes for the nation. Every phase and processes of the investment must be given cognizance attention and priority”, he said.

Dr. Yusuf also said that the nation is assured that the capital and proceeds would remain here and will be re-invested into our economy, if indigenous steel investors are given the chance to resuscitate Ajaokuta.

He said that FG should take a cue from its developed counterparts by allowing Credit Insurance Underwriters to operate in Nigeria, adding that investment in the iron and steel business is capital-intensive with huge risks.

“We believe that with policy shift, some benefits will accrue;
This would complement the Backward-Integration Policy of the
Government, which seeks to preserve our scarce foreign exchange and create employment for millions of Nigerians directly and indirectly.

“There will be more liquidity in the Nigerian economy and Nigeria would have the opportunity of competing with her peers in
the continent and across the globe.

“It will minimise brain drain to foreign countries in the name of
search for greener pasture, especially among our teeming youths.

“Nigeria would be able to participate successfully in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and compete favourably
among countries in the continent.
Ajaokuta will come with good opportunity of reinvigorating the
automobile sector of the economy after a successful installation and
commissioning of ultramodern machineries.

Also speaking, the director, Industrial Development Department, federal ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adewale Bakare, said that the stakeholders’ meeting was necessitated by the ongoing effort of the ministry at repositioning the iron and steel sector through development of workable policies and strategies for the growth and development of the sector.

“Our developmental history shows that Nigeria started its nation’s building with a strong iron and steel sector including the establishment of the Ajaokuta steel complex which was a beacon of hope in the early days. However, present realities shows that the iron and steel industry has not achieved the desired development as the various sub-sectors under the iron and steel industry have remained at the levels of infancy or non-existent, living the country to depend largely on importation of iron and steel products”, he said.

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Eid-el-Fitr: Murtala Garo urges Muslims to sustain worship of Allah

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The former deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Hon. Murtala Sule Garo has urged the Muslim faithful to uphold dedication in the worship of Allah beyond the Ramadan period.

Garo said this in a Sallah message, on Saturday in Kano.
He congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of the 2025 Ramadan fast and the Eid al-Fitr celebration.

The Galadima Garo reminded them that the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadith, centred on peace, love, discipline, and humility.

He noted that the worship of Allah should not only be observed during Ramadan fast, but for lifelong.
While thanking Allah for the season, Murtala Sule Garo, a former Commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy Affairs, said that the celebration revolved around love, arms giving to the less privileged and peaceful co-existence with people of other religions.

Garo urged Muslims to use the period of the Sallah festivities to also pray for enduring peace in Kano and Nigeria at large.

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Sallah Durbar: Security embargo best interest of Kano, Says Emir Sanusi

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14th Emir Of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II

 

Emir of Kano and Khalifah of Tijaniyya, His Highness, Khalifah Muhammadu Sanusi II, has reacted to the recent ban imposed on Sallah Durbar, noting that the action becomes pertinent for enduring peace and development of the state.

Besides, Emir Sanusi declared that the annual traditional heritage that usually celebrated at the end of Ramadan is not a matter of life and death but a cultural symbol dated back to the 15th century.

Sanusi, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was speaking while hosting eminent Islamic scholars and prominent personalities to Iftar dinner at the palace on Saturday.

The first class emir of Kano described peace as the only backbone of progress and development of any society, accepted to withdraw all planned activities of the emirate intended for the colorful Durbar, inscribed by UNESCO an intangible heritage of humanity.

Recall that the Commissioner of Police in Kano, CP Adamu Bakori under a joint security apparatus announced the ban on the proposed Sallah Durbar, citing impending security threat revealed by relevant intelligent notice.

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The Emir, however, reminded that he does not see the Eid El Fitr Durbar as “a matter of life and death”, adding that the lives and safety of Kano citizens are more paramount to him.

He, therefore, appealed to residents and the general public to remain peaceful and law abiding while cooperating with the security agencies to ensure law and order during and after the Sallah festival.

On his part, Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Faruq, applauded the emir for his spirit of love and kindness. He stated that he experienced the Emir’s kindheartedness when was a lecturer at ABU in the early 1980s where he guided and supported them as his students.

The SSG expressed gratitude to the Emir for showing concern for the lives of Kano citizens, by his willingness to cancel the Eid El Fitr Durbar celebration.

Similarly, the Murshid (Chief Imam) of the National Mosque, Professor Shehu Ahmad Galadanci expressed deep appreciation to Emir Sanusi for exhibiting profound wisdom and knowledge as the leader of the Emirate.

Professor Galadanci also a former National Security Adviser aligned with the submission of the emir and emphasized that the lives and properties of people of Kano are more important than the Eid El Fitr Durbar celebration, applauding Sanusi for promoting peaceful coexistence in Kano.

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Sultanate Council Debunks Rumors on Non-Sighting of Shawwal Crescent

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The Sultanate Council has refuted claims circulating regarding the non-sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the subsequent declaration of Eid-al-Fitr prayers on Monday. The council addressed the matter through an official statement posted on its verified Facebook page.

The post, written in Hausa, clarified that His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has not made any formal announcement concerning the sighting of the Shawwal crescent or the date of the Eid prayer. The statement urged the public to disregard unverified reports and to await an official communication from the Sultanate.

The statement read:

*”Assalamu Alaikum. There is no place where His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, has declared that Eid-al-Fitr prayers will hold on Monday. Members of the crescent sighting committee are diligently performing their duties by gathering reports from various parts of the country.”*

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It continued:

*”At any moment, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, will make an official statement either confirming the sighting of the Shawwal crescent or otherwise. Any platform claiming that the Sultan has made a declaration about the crescent sighting is spreading false information. Please await an official announcement.”*

The statement emphasized the importance of following established protocols for crescent sighting to ensure that decisions regarding Islamic observances are made accurately and in accordance with tradition.

This development comes amidst heightened anticipation as Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe await the official confirmation to mark the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal.

The Sultanate Council reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and encouraged the public to rely solely on authorized channels for updates. The crescent sighting committee is currently assessing reports from different regions of the country and will provide recommendations to the Sultan once their analysis is complete.

In the meantime, the council urged Nigerians to exercise patience and to refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause confusion or misunderstanding within the Muslim community.

 

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