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KEDCO Revamps, Slashes Losses In 6 Months

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Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has recorded significant performance improvement and reduction in aggregate technical, commercial, and collection (ATC&C) losses since its acquisition by the new core investor – Future Energies Africa (FEA).

KEDCO recorded 80% Billing Efficiency in June 2024 up from 75% in January 2024 and also reduced ATC&C by almost 20 percentage points to a record of 42%.

Recall that in November 2023, Future Energies Africa (FEA) acquired the highest stake in KEDCO and have since embarked on reforms geared towards business turnaround and sustainable transformation of the Company. Currently, about 52 feeders receive between 20 to 24 hours of supply (including 11 recently upgraded) through investments and improved service delivery.

These achievements are not merely coincidental but conscious efforts by KEDCO’s Board and Management, with ample support from the core investor, Future Energies Africa through investment efforts and constant adoption of effective mechanisms to expeditiously address extant challenges towards making KEDCO financially self-sufficient.

Prominent among the recent challenges overcome was the dispute with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), over the April 2024 supplementary tariff order which has now been resolved and KEDCO, in its customer-centric spirit urged for a round-table reconciliation approach, while reaffirming its continuous support for the prosperity of businesses and economic activities in the area.

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KEDCO recently revamped top management with the addition of a new Chief Technical Officer (CTO) – Engr. Kassim Burkullu, who recently managed AEDC’s large network; a new Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) – Dr. Abubakar Jimeta, a seasoned industry professional; and two Special Directorates for Special Projects and Customer Solutions, manned by veterans – Engr. Inuwa Daneji and Engr. Shuaibu Adeiza.

During this period, the Company has invested over ₦1bn to deploy over 100 High Voltage smart Maximum Demand (MD) meters. Also, the deployment of over 3,000 prepayment meters on Band A feeders, through MAP vendor financing, all geared towards mitigating billing and commercial losses. Similarly, check meters have been installed on all major commercial feeders with high losses and bifurcation of those feeders, for improved power distribution, efficiency, and energy accountability which has led to a significant reduction in losses and improved collection efficiencies.

In the area of network reliability, the management has initiated expansion efforts in a bid to foster efficiency in service delivery and meet service-level agreement commitments. KEDCO’s projection is to achieve 25 percent ATC&C losses by year-end while meeting 100 percent market obligations as the NESI transitions to a Bilateral trading market.

KEDCO’s management has been tasked with turning the business around and are working round the clock to continue driving improvements. The Acting Managing Director, Abubakar Yusuf stated that, “ At all levels, we have prioritized collaboration, partnership, and regular stakeholders’ engagements within the government, traditional, security, political, religious, and community partners to drive progress. If KEDCO succeeds our communities succeed so it has to be a team effort.”

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Dan Agundi’s Supreme Court Case Has Nothing to Do With Kano Emir – Says Lawyer

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14th Emir Of Kano Muhammad Sunusi II

 

 

A lawyer involved in the Kano Emirate titleholder’s dispute, Bashir Muhammad Tudun Wazirci, has clarified that the case before the Supreme Court of Nigeria does not concern the removal or reinstatement of any emir, including Muhammadu Sanusi II.

 

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Wizirci explained that the suit was filed by Aminu Babba Dan’agundi against the Kano State House of Assembly, the office of the Attorney-General and the security agencies.

 

According to him, the case does not include Aminu Ado Bayero as a party or any dispute on who is Emir, stressing, that: “In this case I am for the State Assembly, first, the case is between Aminu Babba Danagundi and the State Government and the office of the Attorney General and security agencies. In this case, there is no name of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II or former Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. It is between Aminu Babba Dan’agundi and the state government alongside security agencies”.

Dan Agundi’s lawyer Professor Yusufari SAN confirmed that “the case is between his client and the State Government” and no Emir is involved.

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Wazirci emphasized “Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi is not a party, neither is the former, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. Dan Agundi approached the Federal High Court that has no Jurisdiction. The Court of appeal ruled that the lower Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to hear the case. Dan Agundi lost the appeal. They were not satisfied and that’s why they appealed to the Supreme Court”. He said.

 

Wazirci said the case was scheduled for hearing but was stalled following a fresh application by Dan Agundi’s lawyer who cited that they received late response from one of the security agencies as reason for delay.

 

“They claimed they received information from the DSS on the 15th of the month and needed time to respond. I objected because this is a matter that requires accelerated hearing if they are serious,” Wizirci said.

 

He, however, stated that the court upheld the appealant’s right to fair hearing and granted them time to file their processes. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 19, 2027.

 

Meanwhile, Counsel to Aminu DanAgundi, Professor Mamman Lawal Yusufari clarified that “The suit was slated for hearing today, not for judgment as many believed. Counsel to one of the respondents filed a motion on April 14 and served us the following day”.

 

“We are entitled to respond within 14 days from the date of service. Hence, the adjournment, as the matter could not proceed,” he said.

 

Recall that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in May 2024, signed a law that dethroned all Emirs of Kano, Rano, Gaya and Karaye and reappointed Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. Dissatisfied with the new law, Dan Agundi challenged it at the Federal High Court, that his removal by the law is an infringement, the Court ruled that it has jurisdiction. The State Government appealed to the Court of Appeal, which ruled that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction. Dan Agundi then filed an appeal in the Supreme Court as confirmed by his lawyer Professor Maman Yusufari SAN.

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Governor Yusuf Nominates Murtala Garo to the Kano Assembly as Deputy Governor

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has transmitted the name of Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo to the State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation as Deputy Governor.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad.

The nomination is in line with Section 191(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers the Governor to nominate a Deputy Governor where a vacancy exists.

The position became vacant following the voluntary resignation of the former Deputy Governor, Comrade Abdussalam Gwarzo, on March 27, 2026.

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Following a wide consultations with key stakeholders, the Governor has requested the Assembly to grant the necessary approval for Garo’s nomination.

48 year old Murtala Sule Garo is a season political administrator with over two decades of service in both elective and appointed positions.

He has served as State Organising Secretary of his party, Special Adviser to Kano State Governor and elected Kabo Local Government Chairman.

He also served as Chairman of ALGON Kano, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the APC in the 2023 general elections.

His nomination is part of efforts to strengthen governance and sustain effective service delivery in Kano State.

Signed
Mustapha Muhammad
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Kano State Government

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Insecurity: US lawmaker accuses Matawalle of bribe attempt to silence recommendation calling for his sack

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Governor Matawalle

 

Kimberly Daniels, a United States Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives for District 14, has alleged that Nigeria’s minister of state for defense, Bello Matawalle, attempted to bribe a US official to deflect the narrative of the United World Congress of Diplomats, UN-WCD, report.

The lawmaker made the claim in a viral video released on her official Facebook account on Monday.

She said Matawalle’s alleged move was to cover up the UN-WCD report on Christian genocide in Nigeria, which indicted him.

Daniels insisted that no amount of pressure can silence her stand against the killings of Christians in Nigeria.

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“A US elected official was offered money by Nigeria’s minister of state defense, Bello Matawalle, to change the narrative of the UN-WCD Christian genocide in Nigeria report,” she said in the viral video.

Recall that Daniels, who doubled as the chairperson of UN-WCD, had called for President Bola Tinubu to remove Matawalle over alleged complicity in the killings in Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and other parts of Nigeria.

Matawalle is yet to officially reply the US lawmaker.

Daniels alleged that following her recent press statement on what she described as targeted killings of Christians in Nigeria, she came under pressure from individuals she linked to the minister, including what she characterised as attempts to discredit her report and “buy support” from US-based elected officials.

According to her, an unnamed American lawmaker allegedly received an offer of financial inducement to publicly counter her position and defend the Nigerian defence leadership.

She claimed to have received evidence of a communication, including a prepared statement and promotional material, purportedly linked to the minister.

She also claimed that the bribery attempt is meant to divide America elected officials not knowing that they are united.

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