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Federal Government Inaugurates Freight Train Services from Kano to Lagos

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Minister of Transport Alkali ,Middle MD Dala Inland Dry Port and Kano Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched a freight train service from the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano to the APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmad Alkali, presided over the inaugural train service at Dala Inland Dry port in Kano

It is with a high sense of joy, excitement, and fulfillment that I address you today on this auspicious occasion of the commissioning of the freight service on the Narrow Gauge from Lagos to Kano,” said Alkali. He emphasized that the development of a modern, safe, secure, and sustainable transportation network is a priority under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which recognizes transportation as a gateway to the nation’s economy and a major enabler of economic growth.

Alkali said the initiative is part of a series of activities undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Transportation to operationalize and sustain efficient rail services.

The minister recalled his earlier efforts to decongest the port by commissioning freight containers from APMT Apapa to Ibadan on Standard Gauge during his familiarization tour in October 2023.

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The minister said the  Federal Government’s recent achievements, including securing financing for the completion of the Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge project and the ongoing construction of the Kano-Maradi rail line. He reassured the public that the construction of the Standard Gauge from Lagos to Kano is progressing at an appreciable speed.

Today, we are witnessing the commissioning of the Narrow Gauge freight operation from Lagos to Kano,” Alkali announced, praising President Tinubu’s support in ensuring the project’s completion. He stressed the importance of this project for restoring freight operations to Kano, the commercial nerve of northern Nigeria, without interrupting the ongoing Standard Gauge construction.

Ahmad Rabiu, Managing Director of Dala Inland Dry Port, stated that the service, which began on May 31, positions Kano as a critical hub for cargo processing and export. “Dala Inland is a 200-hectare project, the first port of destination in the hinterland with dedicated rail services,” Rabiu noted.

He said  Kano’s historical role in trans-Saharan trade, noting that the city handles 7% of the country’s cargo destined for seaports.

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, welcomed the initiative, stating that it alleviates the transportation nightmares faced by businessmen. “Road transportation of goods is hazardous.

Now we are embarking on a cheaper means of transportation,” Abdussalam said. He urged business people to maximize the new service and expressed the state’s gratitude to President Tinubu.

“This project will benefit the countries in the Sahelian areas, the northern region, the northeast, and the northwest, bringing back Kano to its lost glory of being the center of commerce,” Abdussalam said.

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Breaking:President Tinubu Appoints Special Adviser On Security

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Fadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, in recognition of his exceptional record of service, strategic expertise, and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s national security architecture.

 

In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the appointment underscores the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.

 

Major General Fadewa (Rtd) is a highly decorated retired General with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service spanning national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy. His career reflects a rare blend of operational excellence, strategic foresight, and institutional leadership in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests.

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As Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2015 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern intelligence coordination framework. He spearheaded the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) at ONSA, creating an integrated multi-agency intelligence platform that brought together the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces to improve national threat assessment and strategic response coordination.

 

Following his retirement from active military service, Major General Fadewa (Rtd) served as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, where he continued to provide strategic thought leadership on policing, civil-security cooperation, and national security reform. His scholarly contributions include the widely acclaimed monograph titled “Policing and National Security in Nigeria,” which offers practical frameworks for strengthening civil-security collaboration.

 

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointment of Major General Fadewa (Rtd) will further enhance the administration’s efforts toward achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria through improved coordination of homeland security initiatives, intelligence integration, and proactive risk management.

 

He also urged him to deploy his wealth of experience, professionalism, and strategic insight in advancing national security objectives and supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

E- Signed:

Chris Ugwuegbulam

Head, Information & Public Relations

11th May, 2026.

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Governor Yusuf Approves 200 Riyals Support, Ihram for Each Kano Pilgrim

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a cash support of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each intending pilgrim from the state for the 2026 hajj exercise.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this on Sunday during the launch of the practical demonstration session organised by the Kano State pilgrims Welfare Board for prospective pilgrims in Kano.

 

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo explained that the exercise was organized to educate, inform, spiritually prepare the intending pilgrims for the Hajj rites from Ihram to Tawaf, from Sa’i to Arafat, from Muzdalifah to Mina and the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat.

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He stated that the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all the pilgrims from the state.

 

Garo said, “This demonstration is a vital aspect of Hajj preparation. Hajj is not merely a journey of travel; it is a sacred act of worship that requires adequate knowledge, discipline, patience and sincere devotion to Allah.”

 

Garo further conveyed the Governor’s goodwill gesture to the pilgrims.

 

He added, “I also wish to give the good tidings to our pilgrims that the Kano State Government has approved the sum of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each and every intending pilgrim as a compliment from His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

 

The Deputy Governor also revealed that the administration has secured conducive accommodation arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of the pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

 

According to him, the state government has equally deployed well-trained medical personnel to complement healthcare services provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying qualified Islamic scholars have also been selected to provide spiritual guidance during the exercise.

 

He urged the intending pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout the pilgrimage.

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6 Kano Central Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau

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Six Kano Central senatorial aspirants have withdrawn for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

One of the senatorial aspirants and a former Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Muhammad, stated this while addressing journalists at Aminu Kano House in Abuja.

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Those that Withdraw for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau are Dr Muhammad Zango,Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai,Usman Bala Muhammad ,Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada and Shehu Isah Direba.

 

The aspirants have already purchased their nominations forms and submitted to APC secretariat before they were called for a consensus by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

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