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PDP guber candidate vows to restore Kano’s lost glory if elected

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Sadiq Wali

Muhammad Sadiq-Wali, the Kano State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says he will restore the lost glory of the state if elected.

Wali who made the promise during a press conference on Friday in Kano, said he was contesting to bring positive and sustainable change to Kano and Nigeria.

According to him, infrastructure such as roads have continued to dilapidate in the state because of the increasing population in urban areas.

“We need to expand and build infrastructure in local areas where you have competitive opportunities,” he said.

The PDP candidate also promised to reduce rural-urban migration to decongest the increasing population in the city and ensure development by building infrastructure and industries in local areas where raw materials and human resources were available.

He said that his administration would come up with policies that will promote local industries and encourage direct foreign investment for the betterment of the state.

“If given the mandate my administration will become economically independent and would promote small-scale businesses.

“Kano State is private sector driven and most of our citizens are very industrious and we need to encourage them. All they need is support from the government,” he explained.

He also assured that the prolonged intra-party crisis that was resolved by the Apex court on Wednesday would not hamper his chances.

The candidate explained that data from the last election in Kano showed that only 25 percent of accredited voters participated in the exercise, as he added that the situation was occasioned by no localized interest to spur most eligible voters to action.

Wali admitted that although his fellow contestants were not pushed over, he noted that his popularity and that of his party, the PDP would separate the wheat from the chaff.

He also dismissed insinuations that the party leader in the state, senator Ibrahim Shekarau is working for his rival in All Progressives Congress candidate, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna.

The governorship hopeful explained that there was nothing to suggest that Shekarau would work against the PDP candidate in the March 11 governorship election in the state.

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Federal Government Bans Large Fuel Tankers to Curb Rising Accidents from March 2025

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The federal government has announced that fuel tankers with a capacity of 60,000 litres and above will no longer be allowed to operate on Nigerian roads from March 1, 2025, to curb rising accidents involving petroleum trucks. By the fourth quarter of 2025, trucks exceeding 45,000 litres will also be restricted from loading fuel.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said the decision followed consultations with key stakeholders, including security agencies, road safety authorities, and petroleum marketers. Ogbugo Ukoha, NMDPRA’s Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, said the rising number of tanker-related accidents made urgent action necessary.

The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), however, warned that the move could lead to losses of about N300 billion for tanker owners, as nearly 2,000 trucks worth N150 million each would be affected. NARTO President Yusuf Othman argued that poor road conditions, driver errors, and vehicle maintenance were bigger contributors to accidents than tanker size. He urged the government to consider a buy-back policy to assist owners in transitioning to lower-capacity trucks.

Since 2009, Nigeria has recorded 172 oil tanker crashes, resulting in nearly 1,900 deaths. A 2024 explosion in Jigawa State that killed 181 people further highlighted the dangers. With 28 tanker crashes recorded since May 2023 alone, the government insists the ban is a crucial step in making fuel transportation safer.

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Kano State’s N33 Billion Investment Drive: Unveiling a New Era of Development and Infrastructure

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Kano State Executive Council has approved the sum of N33,455,431,626.56 for the execution of various development projects across the state.

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stated that the Council approved the settlement of nine-month allowances for 2,369 screened street sweepers under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change at N426,420,000.00. He added that the Council also approved N109,070,000.00 for the procurement and distribution of UTME/JAMB forms, including the screening, registration, and training of prospective candidates under the Ministry of Education. Similarly, he noted that N284,122,002.61 was approved for the construction of a Model Primary Health Centre at Rimin Zakara in Ungoggo Local Government Area under the Ministry of Health.

The Commissioner further revealed that the Council granted approval for the general repairs and renovation of physical structures at Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) Shekara at N434,339,301.25, as well as the renovation of First Lady’s College, Magwan, at N893,109,270.55. He explained that the Council also reviewed the contract rates for the construction of 8 units of 2-bedroom semi-detached houses, a gatehouse, and the renovation of the wall fence at Government House, Kano, with an approved sum of N90,725,980.96. Additionally, he announced that N6,600,000,000.00 had been allocated for the implementation of 2025 State Constituency Projects, while N256,654,768.37 was approved for the ongoing renovation of the Deputy Governor’s Office at Government House, Kano.

He further noted that N160,000,000.00 was approved for the purchase of property at Ja’en Quarters, Gwale LGA, for conversion into a public school.

Comrade Waiya disclosed that the Council approved N378,000,000.00 for the procurement of nine Toyota Hilux vehicles to be used as operational vehicles by some agencies and Local Government Project Monitoring Committees in the three senatorial districts. He added that N9,760,888,878.39 was approved for the construction of seven rural roads and backlog rehabilitation intervention (Phase II) under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).

He further explained that N5,283,158,140.59 was allocated for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of Sharada Road (Dan Agundi Interchange – Panshekara Underpass), while N3,423,002,893.84 was earmarked for the rehabilitation and asphaltic overlay of Murtala Mohammed Way (Club Road Roundabout – Bompai Road – Audu Bako Way – State Road Junction).

The Commissioner announced that the Council approved N5,220,690,390.00 for the construction of 1,000 units of two-bedroom prototype houses for free distribution to victims of flood disasters.

He added that N135,250,000.00 was approved to augment the cost of providing befitting accommodation for 2,500 intending pilgrims at the Holy Land (closer to Harami). He also stated that the Council approved the splitting of the Ministry of Works and Housing into two separate ministries, namely the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Housing Development, to enhance efficiency in infrastructure and housing development.

Comrade Waiya informed journalists that the Council approved the training of 2,000 members of the Kano State Vigilante Group and the provision of uniforms for 6,000 members. He revealed that the Council also endorsed the buy-back of 324 houses in the Kwankwasiyya, Amana, and Bandirawo Mega Cities from Pension Funds Trustees, allowing the government to resell them to interested buyers and recoup the funds. He further stated that approval was granted for the procurement of food items for Ramadan feeding programmes and palliatives, which will be distributed to key stakeholders, interest groups, MDAs, CSOs, and NGOs.

The Commissioner disclosed that the Council approved the engagement of Messrs. Skipper T&D DAMC as consultants for the completion and subsequent operation of the Challawa 2x3MW and Tiga 10MW Hydro Power Plants, pending the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He also announced that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had signed into law three bills passed by the State House of Assembly, namely the Kano State Metropolitan Transport Agency Bill, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Bill, and the Security-Watch Neighbourhood Law.

Comrade Waiya revealed that the Executive Council received and reviewed the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the End-Bad Governance Protest of August 2024, which investigated cases of breach of peace, destruction of public and private property, and loss of lives. He also stated that, in recognition of his administration’s commitment to Kano State’s development, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received six awards from various MDAs and NGOs. Similarly, he announced that the Governor presented awards to the top three winners of the 9th Edition of the 44 Young Kano State Scientists Competition, facilitated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The Commissioner assured the people of Kano State that the government remains committed to infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare, adding that the Executive Council will continue to take decisions that will positively impact the lives of the citizens.

Signed
Sani Abba Yola
Director, Special Duties
Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs
19/02/2025

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BREAKING: Fintiri Sacks Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar As Wazirin Adamawa

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Presidential Hopeful

The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has stripped himself and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Boni Haruna and others of traditional titles. The trio hold the titles of Sarki Yaki Mubi, Waziri Adamawa and Makama Mubi respectively. This is along with all other traditional title holders in the state whose traditional jurisdictions have been affected by the recent exercise of creation of emirates and chiefdoms.

Making this proclamation at the coronation ceremony of the newly appointed Chief of Madagali chiefdom, the governor proclaimed that as a policy, all District Heads are to transfer their loyalty, rights and privileges to their new emirates and chiefdoms. He pointedly added:
“Hence, traditional titles acquired from the old emirates and chiefdoms are hereby dropped. The constituted traditional councils of the new emirates and chiefdoms, are therefore directed to recommend new titles for approval in line with the statutory dictates of the tradition.”

Incidentally, all the new emirates and chiefdoms were carved out of the emirates of Adamawa and Mubi from which they all hold their traditional titles.

Fintiri, who hails from Madagali, holds the traditional title of Sarki Yaki Mubi; Atiku, who hails from Jada, holds the title of Waziri Adamawa; and Haruna, who hails from Michika, holds the title of Makaman Mubi. By implication, therefore, Fintiri himself, Atiku, Haruna and all others whose traditional jurisdictions are affected have lost their titles.

As directed by the governor, the Lamido of the present Adamawa emirate is expected, if he is so desirous, to forward Atiku’s name along with others for reappointment to the governor for approval.

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