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President Buhari Calls For Adoption Of Gas As Transitional Fuel

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President Muhammad Buhari

Nigeria has called for greater collaboration among Africans to effectively confront challenges such as climate change, public health, local vaccine production, among others.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, in a statement, said that President Muhammadu Buhari made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.

Buhari spoke at a meeting of the African Union (AU) on the New Partnership for African Development(NEPAD).

The meeting was under the auspices of the 39th Session of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC), at the margins of the 35th Ordinary Session of the African Union.

Represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the virtual event, Buhari said the continent needed to brace up for wider cooperation in public heath.

“To prepare itself more for intra African collaboration to fight public health challenges, work together to promote vaccine production in Africa, and prompt response to climate change and the zero-emissions targets.

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“The COVID-19 pandemic has severely weakened our economies but it has also left important lessons.

“One is that Africa needs to prepare itself more for intra African collaboration to fight public health challenges, especially those of pandemic scale.

“We must work together to promote vaccine production in Africa; second issue I would like to raise is Africa’s response to climate change and the zero-emissions targets set in Paris and at subsequent climate change meetings.

“We must of course contribute our quota in protecting the environment and preventing climate change; but we must also continue to build sustainable power systems to accelerate development and create economic opportunities for our people.”

 On  climate change, the president said Africa needs far more energy than the renewables sources could immediately provide.

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According to him, Africa cannot but adopt gas as a transition fuel.

“We must together make clear to the developed world that the current trend of withholding funds for investment in gas development is the wrong thing to do at this time.”

On the success made by Nigeria in domesticating the NEPAD framework on sustainable development, Buhari said that growth in the Nigerian ICT sector had been phenomenal.

He said that ICT recorded the highest growth of all the sectors of the Nigerian economy in 2020.

“By intensifying Agricultural development, NEPAD inspired Home Grown School Feeding and other Social Intervention Programmes, we are feeding over nine million children in public schools daily and significantly improving the lot of our people.

“It is worthy of note that through regional partnership, Nigeria is currently implementing the innovative strengthening of smallholder farmer’s capabilities towards productive land restoration amid COVID-19 in Nigeria.”

“This is not only to cushion the effect of COVID-19 in the country but also to accelerate the implementation of Africa’s regional initiative to restore degraded lands.”

The president commended the foresight of the founding Fathers of NEPAD, AU’s development agency and the continental initiative for the effective implementation of Agenda 2063.

He re-echoed the view that NEPAD was about the development of the continent – delivering to African citizens.

Let us look forward to working together in building a strong organisation for delivery of results on the continent,”  Buhari said.

The vice president, in another development,  received a delegation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) led by its President, Mrs Comfort Eyitayo, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa.

He commended the adoption of the new, innovative framework for public finance management known as the ICAN-AI (ICAN Accountability Index) and noted the proposed amendment to the Act establishing ICAN.

The vice president expressed delight with the progress of the accounting body.

“I am personally very happy to see that ICAN has grown from strength to strength, and I am particularly fascinated by some of what we are seeing especially forays into public education,” he said.

In her remarks, Eyitayo lauded the Federal Government’s consistent drive to revamp the country’s budget system, aligning with international best practice of having a January to December budget year and having Finance Acts to make the Appropriation Act more realisable.

Other ICAN officials present at the meeting included a former President of the Institute, Sen. Kolawole Bajomo; ICAN Vice President, Mr Tijjani  Isa and Registrar of the Institute, Prof. Ahmed Kumshe, among others. (NAN)

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Just In:Governor Yusuf  Sacks Head of Service 

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Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has relieved the State Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa, of his appointment with immediate effect.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Tuesday evening.

The decision is part of the ongoing efforts by the present administration to reposition the state civil service for greater efficiency, discipline, and improved service delivery across all government institutions.

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Governor Yusuf expressed appreciation to the outgoing Head of Service for his contributions and dedication to the service of Kano State during his tenure.

“We wish him the best in his future endeavours and pray for his continued success in all aspects of life.”

The Governor also directed that Hajiya Bilkisu Shehu Maimota, the Permanent Secretary, Admin and General Services at the Cabinet Office, to serve in acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive Head of Service.

By this announcement, the outgoing Head of Service is directed to handover the affairs of the office to the Ag. Head of Service latest tomorrow, Wednesday 11th March, 2026

 

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Table Water Producers Increase New Price for Sachet Water in Kano

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The Kano State Chapter of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) has officially announced an upward review of the price of sachet water (popularly known as “pure water”) across the state.

This decision is a direct response to the unsustainable surge in the cost of production materials.

In a statement representing the association, it was disclosed that the price of a bag of sachet water, which was previously sold at N220, has now been adjusted to a minimum of 300 Naira.

This adjustment is necessary to prevent the collapse of the industry, as the cost of essential production materials has increased by two-thirds.

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The association highlighted several critical economic challenges, including:

– Printing Film: The price has risen to 3,700 Naira.
– Gas/Fuel: Prices have reached 1,500 Naira per liter.
– Power Supply: The lack of stable electricity has forced factories to rely entirely on expensive generator power.

Despite these financial pressures, the Chairman, Alhaji Ahmad Bala Hudu, has issued a stern warning to all producers against compromising water quality.

The association emphasizes that:
– Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems and water purification standards must be strictly maintained.
– The association is working in collaboration with health authorities to inspect factories.
– Any producer found bypassing health standards will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

The association appeals to the public for understanding and patience during this period, particularly as we are in the holy month of Ramadan.

In a statement issued to newsmen, Anas Idris Hassan, the Public Relations Officer of the association, said the price review is a last-resort measure to ensure that safe drinking water remains available in the state.

 

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Governor Dauda Lawal Defects to APC After Stakeholder Consultations

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The Zamfara State Government has announced that Governor Dauda Lawal has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following what officials described as “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.” This was contained in a statement signed by Nuhu Salihu Anka, Director General, Media and Communication, Office of the Governor.

According to the statement, Governor Lawal’s decision was driven by the overriding interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development in Zamfara State. “After careful consideration, His Excellency has decided to formally defect to the APC,” Anka said, noting that the move followed prolonged internal crises within the PDP at both national and state levels.

The government explained that unresolved leadership disagreements and structural challenges in the PDP had created uncertainty and distractions that threatened effective governance. “These challenges have continued to hinder the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement emphasized.

Governor Lawal reiterated that his primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State. “It became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” Anka quoted the governor as saying.

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The statement further revealed that the final deliberation leading to the defection was held at the Government House in Gusau, under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders. “This was a collective decision reached after wide consultations,” Anka explained.

Governor Lawal expressed appreciation to PDP members and supporters for their cooperation over the years. However, he noted that the prevailing political realities and unresolved crises within the party made it necessary to take what he described as “a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”

By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government. “This is a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development,” Anka stated.

The government therefore called on citizens, political leaders, party supporters, and stakeholders to remain calm and supportive. “We urge everyone to embrace this transition peacefully as Zamfara enters a new chapter of political cooperation and progress,”

 

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