By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Presidency, on Sunday announced the departure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from Lagos to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

The announcement was contained in a press statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

It stated that the President has been invited by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to the participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, which will take place in the emirate early in January.

The Summit, as noted by the statement, is an annual event that mobilises leaders from government, business, and society to chart the next era of sustainable development.

The statement also stated that with the theme of the event “The Nexus of Next: All Systems Go”, ADSW is aimed at connecting ambition with action across innovation, finance, and people, showcasing how the world can move forward with confidence.

The President will return to the country after the Summit, the statement said.

The Kano State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AS and AJ Multi Services Company Limited for the design, deployment, operation, and management of the Kano Smart Transport Solution System.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Commissioner for Transport, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi said the agreement marks significant step toward transforming the state’s transport infrastructure through digital innovation.

He noted that the development will modernize transportation and bolster security situation
of the state, stressing t the strategic importance of the initiative.

“Every vehicle owner must obtain a tracker and install it on their vehicle. This will ensure that both the vehicle and its owner can be monitored, enhancing security across Kano,” Dederi stated.

He stated that all vehicle owners in Kano will be required to install tracking devices, enabling real-time monitoring of movements.

The Commissioner maintained that the system is expected to aid in curbing criminal activities, including banditry, by providing authorities with critical data on vehicle locations.

According to him, the initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate technology into transportation, which the Commissioner described as “encompassing every aspect of life.”

“The contract for the provision of tracking devices was approved by the Kano State Executive Council on December 19, 2025, following a resolution aimed at promoting peace and safety in the state.”

The MoU signing was witnessed by key legal officials, including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Maude SAN, and Solicitor General Salisu Tahir, who provided legal oversight and guidance on the agreement.

This development positions Kano as a pioneer in smart mobility solutions in Northern Nigeria, with the potential to serve as a model for other states seeking to integrate technology into public safety and transport management.

Speaking at the MoU signing, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdullahi, Managing Director of AS and AJ Multi Services Company Limited, unveiled key features of the new Kano Smart Transport Solution System, including a digital platform named ‘Sufuri Transport’ designed to streamline and secure tricycle (Keke Napep) operations across the state.

“Stickers will be issued to KAROTA officials to verify both vehicles and drivers. Each driver will be linked to a registered Keke Napep and its owner through a tracker and sticker system,” Abdullahi explained.

He provide key features of the system, which includes:

“Driver-Tracker Integration: Every Keke Napep driver will be digitally registered and linked to a specific vehicle and owner, ensuring accountability.
Verification Stickers: KAROTA (Kano Road Traffic Agency) officials will use official stickers to verify the legitimacy of vehicles and drivers on the road. Passenger App Functionality: Through the ‘Sufuri Transport’ platform, passengers will be able to:
– Track nearby Keke Napeps
– Book rides in real time
– Pay via mobile number, card, or cash, supporting the state’s push toward a cashless economy

Abdullahi pointed out that the tracker devices will be accessible to all citizens, forming a critical part of the broader security architecture being implemented by the Kano State Government.

This initiative is not just about transport it’s about safety, transparency, and modernization. It’s one of the many measures by the government to curtail insecurity and improve the daily lives of Kano residents,” he added.

He stressed that the Kano Smart Transport Solution System is expected to:
– Deter criminal activity by enabling real-time vehicle tracking
– Improve traffic regulation and enforcement
– Enhance commuter confidence through verified, traceable transport services

“With the combined efforts of the Ministry of Transport, KAROTA, and AS and AJ Multi Services, Kano is poised to become a model for smart urban mobility in Nigeria.” He however stated.

The Dangote Cement Plc has tripled its scholarship fund for its Host communities in Gboko, Benue State.

Head of Social Performance of Dangote Cement, Gboko Plant, Dr. Johnson Kor, stated that the company has broadened its intervention to accommodate a larger number of beneficiaries.

Plant Director, Gboko Plant, Engr Abhijit Dutta, said at the presentation of the symbolic cheque in Gboko that, “This year’s scholarship marks a significant increase from ten million naira to about thirty million naira.”

Engr Dutta, who was represented by the Head of Finance Department, Olusegun Orebanjo, said no fewer than 230 students are beneficiaries from the 2025 education scheme.

He said the scope of beneficiaries for this year has been expanded beyond the immediate host community of Mbayion to include other mining communities of Mbatur in Yandev district, Mbazembe Community in Ipav district and Pass Brothers community in Guma local government council.

Engr Dutta said the company does not consider host communities “merely as neighbours, but as valued partners in progress.”

He added: “The sustainability of this scholarship scheme for indigent but deserving students reflects our deep-rooted passion for education and human capital development.”

The scholarship cheque was presented during a ceremony that also featured the graduation of beneficiaries of a youth skill acquisition programme sponsored by the Dangote Cement Plant, Gboko, and supervised by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

According to him: “In further demonstration of this commitment, the scholarship fund has this year been reviewed upward to ₦28,800,000.00, and its scope expanded to cover all six host communities, strictly in line with the provisions of the Community Development Agreement (CDA). This deliberate expansion reflects our desire to ensure equity, inclusiveness, and shared benefits across all our immediate communities.

“Dangote Cement Plc has consistently sustained this educational intervention over the years and will continue to do so, because we firmly believe that when our communities grow, our business thrives. Our CSR initiatives are therefore not one-off gestures, but long-term social investments designed to create lasting impact.

“While congratulating the beneficiaries, we encourage that the scholarship fund be prudently and responsibly utilised for educational purposes. The scholarship process is transparently administered by a duly constituted committee set up by the Company to guarantee fairness and accountability across all beneficiary communities.

“Beyond scholarship, Dangote Cement Plc remains passionately committed to improving livelihoods and social welfare within our host communities. In collaboration with community leaders and other stakeholders, we continuously design and implement programmes that respond to real needs, in line with the CDA and our Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

“Accordingly, in 2025, the Gboko Plant rolled out several people-centred development programmes, including: Women Empowerment Programme for 150 beneficiaries, Farmers’ Empowerment Programme for 50 beneficiaries, Youth Empowerment Programme for 30 youths, among other laudable programmes.

“The beneficiary communities for these programmes are: Tse-Kucha, Quarry, Amua, Mbazembe, Mbatur, and Pass Brothers.

“Today’s ceremony also marks the successful completion of the Youth Empowerment Programme, with the passing-out of participants and the presentation of certificates and starter packs.

“These interventions are designed not only to provide skills, but to restore dignity, promote self-reliance, and stimulate sustainable livelihoods within the communities.

A monarch, Ter Gboko, Gabriel Shosum, advised all beneficiaries to put the bursary to judicious use. He was represented by the Mue Ter Gboko, Ikpa Ahua.

Representative of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Mrs. Sarah Adeniyi, described Dangote Cement Plc as a worthy partner in progress considering its support for youth skill development.

A 16-year-old beneficiary, and secondary school student of the Amua Memorial Grammer School, Gabriel Yo Hol, thanked the company for the scholarship and promised to be an Ambassador of Dangote Cement Plc.