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Minister visits Dangote Cement Ibese, lauds Plant’s promotion of best practices

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Minster of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako (middle); Dangote Cement Ibese Plant Director, Azad Nawabuddin (2nd left); Dangote Senior General manager Special Duty Projects, Abdullaziz Kolo (left); Ogun state Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya (2nd right) and Member of Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyanju Adegoke (right), during the visit of Minister of State for Environment to Dangote Cement Ibese plant Ogun state 

The Federal Government has commended the leading roles being played by the Dangote Group to complement government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s economy and the company’s dedication to promotion of best practices in all its operations.

The commendation came even as the Ogun State government said the Dangote Cement is a key driver of the state’s economy with the citing of the continent’s second biggest cement plant in the state.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Saloko made these remarks while on a familiarisation visit to Dangote Cement plant, Ibese, Ogun State. The visit was followed by a community engagement preparatory to the Expert Panel Review of the report of an Environmental Impact Assessment carried out on Coal milling at the Plant.

The Minister declared: “Dangote Industries as a whole is an international conglomerate and I am happy that the company is at the forefront of promoting best practices in terms of conception, planning, implementation, management of factories that are manufacturers like this.”

Dr. Salako and his entourage, who were received by the Plant Management led the Plant Director, Mr. Azad Nawabuddin, described mining as one of the key industrial sectors that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has targeted for economic diversification as the nation embarks on gradual shift from oil and gas dependency.

He said it was for this reason that Dangote Cement should be commended for the huge cement plant which is creating jobs and opportunities for export. He added that limestone mining activities, a key raw material in cement manufacturing is one such area that attention of the government is shifting to.

Dr. Salako pointed out that while mining sector has huge potential to develop the nation’s economy, many challenges are associated with mining activities. He then commended Dangote cement for its adherence to best practices, saying, “having gone round to see the operations in the plant, I give kudos to Dangote Cement for the automation and high technology-driven operations.”

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He explained that his visit was not unconnected with the Environmental Impact Assessment, which is being done on the plant Coal Mill, noting “there is a need for mining operations to be done in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected. But I applaud Dangote Cement for being at the forefront of promoting best practices.”

The Minister said further: “For us in the ministry of environment, it means we must also sit up. Mining as it comes with its advantages, also comes with its challenges. So, we must be up and doing, as we expand the economy and grow Nigeria. We should also do it in a sustainable manner so that the environment is not adversely affected.

“We must continue in that respect to ensure that best practices are always promoted, environmental and social impact assessments are properly carried out, the stakeholders are properly involved, and the environment is properly protected so that our growth can be sustainable. That’s why we are here and I am happy that Dangote is at the forefront of that.”

While speaking also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya who represented the Governor, Dapo Abiodun said the state is a beneficiary of Dangote Cement presence with the amount of levies and taxes it has paid into the state coffer.

He called for a more collaboration between the state agencies and the company noting that the state was not unaware of the activities of the plant to lift its host communities. He added that the state would be mote than ready to assist the company in any way possible.

In his remark, Mr. Nawabuddin took the minister through the social investments and infrastructural milestones recorded by the Plant since inception, saying the Company has been able to substantially contribute to infrastructure development and employment in the host communities.

The Plant Director told the Minister that the plant deals with 17 host communities across Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas of the state, saying they have greatly felt the impacts of the company through empowerment programmes and provision of infrastructure.

Mr. Nawabuddin told his guests that Dangote Cement Ibese Plant has been a major contributor to economic diversification efforts of both the state and federal governments by creating jobs, exporting cement and clinker to neighbouring countries to attract foreign exchange into the country, and paying humongous taxes and levies to the state and federal government.

The Community engagement that held after the Minister’s tour of the plant also saw the communities’ leaders thanking Dangote Cement for its Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) projects so far for the people of Yewa.

The Olu of Imasayi, Oba Kuoye Olalekan, a top monarch in Yewaland expressed his subjects’ appreciation to Dangote Cement for its developmental strides in the area. “Dangote Cement is the transformer and illumination of Yewaland”, he stated.

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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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2027: Former 44 Local Government Speakers During Ganduje’s Tenure, Malam Takai Endorse Senator Barau as Kano APC Gubernatorial Candidate

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The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has confirmed that a forum of former local government speakers in Kano State, who served during the tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have formally endorsed him as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

Senator Barau disclosed this while receiving the delegation, led by Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya, Chairman of the forum, at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja. He described their visit as a demonstration of unity and commitment to the progress of Kano State.

According to Senator Barau, the delegation, comprising 32 former House Leaders, came with a clear and united message of support. He explained that the group not only declared total backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid but also adopted him as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Kano in 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya said the forum had overwhelming confidence in Senator Barau’s leadership. He described him as “a senator for all, who, irrespective of constituency, offers support for the well-being and development of Kano State and its people.” Gamarya added: “You are our gubernatorial candidate and governor come May 29, 2027, Insha Allah.”

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The forum’s Secretary, Hon. Usman Muazu Garin Malam, reaffirmed their grassroots commitment, stating: “We, the house leaders, hereby support President Tinubu’s second-term bid and endorse you as the sole APC gubernatorial candidate. All we need is your support, and we will mobilise the grassroots for you.”

Former Speaker of Tofa LGA, Hon. Shehu Halilu, highlighted Senator Barau’s developmental projects across communities. He said: “The bridge you built in our village is saving lives. Your interventions touch women, men, children, farmers, and teachers everywhere. This is why we want you as the next governor of Kano.”

Halilu subsequently moved a motion for the formal adoption of Senator Barau’s candidature for 2027. The motion was seconded by Hon. Sunusi Abdu, former leader of Garko LGA, who declared: “Anybody that is against you is an enemy of Kano and an enemy of APC. That person is also against President Tinubu.”

Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Kano, also lent his voice to the endorsement. He urged party members and stakeholders to work together for APC’s victory in the state, saying: “Choosing Senator Barau as Governor is the best decision for Kano, and promoting his candidature is a duty for all lovers of our state.”

In his remarks, Senator Barau expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanked the forum for their courage, unity, and unwavering belief in Kano’s future. He reminded them of the shared responsibility to restore Kano to its rightful place as a centre of commerce, education, industry, good governance, and social progress.

“With dedication, sincerity, and unity of purpose, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Kano,” Senator Barau said, praying for Allah’s guidance and success in the journey ahead.

 

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Kano Bans Unauthorized Hisbah Groups, Outlaws ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’

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The Kano State Government has issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorized Hisbah-like groups, particularly targeting a self-styled body known as the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi.

 

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing

 

 

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

 

The Commissioner said government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilization and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

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According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

 

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the state.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasized that it “shall remain the sole legally recognized institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

 

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

 

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

 

According to him also, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorized enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

 

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralize religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures

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