Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) said it has concluded plans to invest ₦1.2billion Naira in network expansion and improvement in power supply to the famous Dawanau International Grains Market, in Kano.

Network expansion and power generation are some of the Company’s major plans to improve power supply in an accelerated fashion, especially in areas such as Dawanau International Grains Market, being the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with numerous cottage industries.

The Company is prioritising the Dawanau project amongst a string of similar projects due to its current dilapidated network leaving the area underserved, thus hindering the potential of the market as a catalyst for economic growth of Kano state and the northern part of Nigeria.

Commenting on the development, the Company’s Ag. Managing Director and CEO, Abubakar Yusuf said, “We have engaged 3 reputable companies to actualise construction of 35KM of 33kV high tension (HT) line from Bichi Transmission Sub-station to Dawanau market, installation of 2Nos 500KVA 33/.415 transformers, and low tension (LT) lines to serve the area and environs at the cost of ₦1.2bn.

He added that “the project is aimed at improving quality and efficiency of power supply to industrial and commercial clusters in the grain market, which is equally in line with our vision to enable re-industrialization and economic empowerment within our franchise states”.

In his remarks, the Company’s Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Inuwa Bala Daneji said, “Upon completion of the project, we forecast an increase in energy offtake by 200% and an equivalent growth in revenue for KEDCO”.

On takeover in November 2023, the new core investor (Future Energies Africa) immediately embarked on network rehabilitation and expansion aimed at improving access to quality and reliable power supply for the socio-economic growth of KEDCO’s tri-state of operation.

In a statement signed by the head corporate communications Sani Bala said While these initiatives will further strengthen the existing relationship among stakeholders and explore other business opportunities within the same space and beyond, the investors remain unrelenting in the same trend across the franchise area.

A Kano state High Court has granted an exparte order restraining the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from parading himself as member of the party.

Also,the court ordered, that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

Also,the court ordered, that henceforth, Ganduje should desist from presiding over all affairs of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

The presiding judge, Justice Usman Malam Na’abba granted the application on Wednesday following an exparte motion filed by Dr. Ibrahim Sa’ad Esq on behalf of two executive members APC Ganduje ward, Dawakin-Tofa local government area, the assistant secretary, Laminu Sani and legal adviser Haladu Gwanjo (plaintiffs) who were part of the nine ward executive who suspended Abdullahi Ganduje two days ago.

The court directed the four parties (respondents) joined in the matter, include All Progressives Congress (APC), APC National Working Committee (NWC), APC Kano State Working Committee (KSWC), and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to henceforth, maintain status quo ante belum as from 15th April, 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit on 30th April, 2024.

Justice Na’abba also held as prayed, stopped State Working Committee APC Kano, from interfering with the legally and validly considered decision of executives of Ganduje ward, essentially on action endorsed by two third majority of the executives as provided by the party constitution.

“An order is hereby granted directing all parties in the suit APC (1st), APC National Working Committee (2nd), Kano State Working Committee APC (3rd), Dr. Abdullah Umar Ganduje (4th), to maintain status quo ante belum as of 15th April, 2024.

The order thereby restraining the 1st respondent (APC) from recognizing the 4th respondent (Ganduje) as member of APC and prohibiting the 4th respondent (Ganduje) from presiding over any affairs of the NWC and restraining the state Working Committee from interfering with the legally and validly decision of the ward executives of Ganduje ward.

“That the 4th respondent (Ganduje) is prohibited from parading himself as member of APC or doing any act that may portray him or seem to be a member of APC pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit”.

It will be recalled that nine members of the Ganduje ward proclaimed the suspension of the National Chairman of APC over the allegation of corruption slammed on him by Kano state government.

The nine APC executives said they were prompted to act following a petition written by one Ja’afaru Adamu, a member of APC from the National Chairman’s polling unit.

In the petition, Adamu complained over allegation of corruption charges against the former Governor just as he urged the ward leaders to investigate the matter to redeem the dented image of the party and the implication on President Bola Tinubu’s fight against corruption.

Although, the chairman and secretary of the ward failed to act on the petition filed since 8th April, 2024, nine members of the executives led by the legal adviser had acted upon the petition, a decision that led to the suspension Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

In the last one year, the former Kano state Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had suffered serious political setback for loosing his Dawakin Tofa federal constituency in the 2023 general elections where his son Umar Abdullahi Ganduje was the APC candidate.

By Editor

The 1 Division, Nigerian Army inter-brigade competition has opened in Kano on Monday with participants drawn from three brigades under the division.

The proficiency competition was for personnel from the ranks of corporal and below.

The participants are drawn from 1Division Garrison, Kaduna; 31Artilary Brigade, Minna in Niger and the host, 3 Brigade, Kano.

They will compete for honours in drills, weapons handling, map reading and obstacle crossings.

According to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Division, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, the aim of the competition is to test the efficiency, endurance and mental capacity of the participants.

“The corporal and below competition is one of the activities outlined in the Nigerian Army forecast of events 2024.

“The event is aimed at improving leadership skills and professional competence, promote espirit-de-corps and prepare the personnel in Cpl and below ranks bracket for higher responsibilities,” he said.

Saraso, who declared the four-day competition opened, added that the event would test the  physical fitness of the soldiers and their readiness to counter security challenges.

The GOC, represented by Commander, 3 Brigade, Brig.- Gen. Musa Sadiq, said that the event could not have come at a better time than now when there were growing concerns on the numerous security challenges confronting the nation.

“The current security challenges have brought to the fore the need to continuously reinvigorate our training and operations, especially physical and leadership trainings,” he added.

Earlier, the brigade commander said that the competition would provide opportunity for the soldiers to meet their counterparts within the division’s area of responsibility.

He appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja for providing necessary resources for the competition.

The brigade commander urged the soldiers to compete fairly and be good ambassadors of their brigades.

“I want to urge all participants to put in their best so as to derive the maximum benefits from the competition and also make your various formations proud

“The only way you can do this is by abiding by the rules and regulations guiding the competition and also to exhibit the spirit of togetherness,” he added.