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KEDCO Clarifies Power Supply Situation at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital

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The attention of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has been drawn to reports concerning the appeal by the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) regarding the alleged disconnection of its electricity supply, which was said to have led to the loss of lives.

We wish to clarify that electricity supply to AKTH has since been restored. The incident arose from an ongoing procedure to separate the main hospital campus and health facilities from the staff residential complex. The main campus and health facilities are connected to the top-priority 33kV Zaria Road feeder, enjoying an average of 22 hours of daily supply under Band A services.

However, AKTH management has continued to insist that staff residential homes remain on the same feeder as the critical hospital facilities. This has posed repeated risks to the stability and reliability of the hospital’s dedicated power supply. Several attempts by KEDCO to separate the residential homes from the health facilities were unsuccessful due to the management’s resistance. Unfortunately, this led to a severe fault, which caused the recent outage we have consistently sought to prevent.

To safeguard uninterrupted power to the hospital, KEDCO is proceeding with the separation of the two supply lines. This measure is necessary to guarantee reliability, safety, and improved quality of service to the hospital.

It is also important to note that no payment has been made for the electricity consumed at the residential complex, despite its negative impact on both the quality of supply and KEDCO’s economic sustainability.

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In a letter dated August 12, 2025, KEDCO’s Chief Commercial Officer, Muhammad Aminu Dantata, notified the Chief Medical Director of AKTH of the planned withdrawal of electricity services from the staff quarters and non-essential areas of the hospital due to partial settlement of monthly electricity bills.

The letter highlighted that: “Despite repeated appeals, the hospital continues to make only partial monthly payments.

“This has resulted in an outstanding electricity liability of ₦949,880,922.45 (Nine Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Eight Hundred and Eighty Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty-Two Naira, Forty-Five Kobo Only) as of August 2025.

“The hospital was requested to settle its August 2025 bill of ₦108,957,582.29 (One Hundred and Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Eighty-Two Naira, Twenty-Nine Kobo Only) in full within ten working days to avoid service withdrawal from the affected locations,” the letter stated.

KEDCO remains fully committed to providing uninterrupted electricity to AKTH as a foremost health institution while ensuring the integrity of its operations. We therefore appeal to the hospital’s management to cooperate with the ongoing separation exercise, which is in the best interest of patients, staff, and the wider public.

We assure the people of Kano State and the general public that KEDCO will continue to prioritise electricity supply to health facilities, especially those delivering critical and lifesaving services.

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Dangote Cement Deploys AI, Telematics to Enhance Transport Safety

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Dangote Cement Transport has scaled up series of impactful, and technology backed programmes designed to improve performance, governance and compliance to road safety.

A statement from the Branding and Communications Department of the company said the enhanced programmes cover key operational areas, including performance metrics, strengthened governance standards, and improved accountability frameworks.

It further noted that the programmes also extend to comprehensive driver training and competency development, technology-enabled safety systems, journey management protocols, and regular recertification processes.

Other components include mandatory drug screening, strategic partnerships and collaborations, as well as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, sustainability programmes, and community impact programmes, among others.

The statement signed by the company’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, recalled that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had recently commended the company for its proactive safety programmes, which have contributed to reducing road traffic crashes across the country.

The statement quoted Head of Transport of the Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Murilo Silva, as saying that the company has upscaled its transport management systems through the deployment of automated inspection technologies and artificial intelligence-driven solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and road safety.

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Mr. Silva said the company has since deployed enhanced GPS and telematics systems for real-time monitoring of driver behaviour during transit, strengthening oversight and operational safety across its fleet.

He added that, in a bid to combat driver fatigue, the company has increased its wellness campaign, while also engaging in a series of stakeholder fora with third-party truck operators and drivers to reinforce safety awareness, compliance, and responsibility on the road.

Mr. Sliva said the company’s collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is already yielding positive results, noting that the partnership has continued to strengthen safety standards across its operations.

He added that FRSC officials are actively involved in the training and screening of drivers at the Dangote Articulated Vehicle Driving School in Obajana, where they provide technical guidance, enforce compliance with best practices, and support the development of highly competent and safety-conscious drivers.

According to him, the percentage of drivers undergoing structured training, drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic recertification, has increased significantly, describing the growth as “astronomical.”

According to him, between the first quarters of 2025 and 2026, Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, recorded significant improvements in its safety compliance measures, with drug and alcohol testing increasing by 245.2 per cent, pre-trip vehicle inspections rising by 489.1 per cent, and driver training programmes expanding by 128.4 per cent.

Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, had commended the company for setting new standards in road safety management and urged it to sustain the reforms that have continued to improve safety across Nigeria’s transport sector.

The Corps Marshal stated that comparatively between 2025 and 2026, road crashes involving trucks belonging to the Dangote Cement Plc declined by 56 per cent, while fatal cases decreased by 36 per cent and injuries dropped significantly by 52 per cent.

He said the improvement has shown that the company has implemented its Gap Analysis, and company policies worthy of emulation by all logistics companies in Africa.

“We have always said that if Dangote Cement get its right, Nigeria and Africa, will get it right. This is a plus for Nigeria,” he said.

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Yusuf Muhammad Kawu Emerges as APM Candidate for Nassarawa Constituency

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Ambassador Yusuf Muhammad Kawu has officially secured the ticket of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Nassarawa Federal Constituency in Kano State.

In a statement released to his supporters and the general public, Kawu expressed gratitude and optimism, describing his emergence as a reflection of his commitment to serve with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress.

“This victory is a testament to my commitment to serve our people with dedication, integrity, and a clear vision for progress,” he said. He further appealed to constituents for their support and votes in the forthcoming election, pledging that their mandate would be his responsibility and their pride.

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Kawu emphasized that his candidacy is driven by a desire to build a stronger and more prosperous Nassarawa Constituency, promising inclusive representation and development-focused leadership.

The Allied Peoples Movement, though relatively smaller compared to Nigeria’s dominant political parties, has been steadily gaining ground in various constituencies, positioning itself as an alternative platform for candidates seeking to challenge the status quo.

As campaigns intensify ahead of the general elections, Kawu’s emergence sets the stage for what could be a competitive race in Nassarawa Constituency.

 

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Veteran Broadcaster And Ex-MD ARTV, Radio Kano Adamu Getso Dies At 75

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Former Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) and the Kano State Radio Corporation, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, is dead.

The veteran broadcaster reportedly passed away on Saturday at the age of 75 after a prolonged illness.

A native of Getso town in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, the late media administrator was widely respected for his significant contributions to broadcasting, public communication, and information dissemination in Kano State.

During his distinguished career, Getso served as Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television during the first tenure of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso between 1999 and 2003. He later headed the Kano State Radio Corporation during Kwankwaso’s second tenure as governor.

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The late broadcaster earned widespread recognition through his role in anchoring popular Hausa-language programmes, including Hukuma da Jama’a (Government and the People) and Aiki Sai Mai Shi, which focused on government policies, public affairs, and development programmes.

Colleagues and admirers described him as a dedicated professional who used the media as a platform for public enlightenment and civic engagement.

His contributions to the growth of public broadcasting in Kano and his commitment to promoting government-citizen communication earned him respect across the media industry and beyond.

Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and other relatives.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family.

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