Marketers and participants at the just-concluded Kano International Trade Fair have endorsed the newly unveiled Dangote Sugar packs, describing them as convenient, consumer-friendly, and well-suited for both household use and retailing.

Dangote Sugar recently unveiled new pack sizes, including 100g sachets and 25kg bags aimed at increasing affordability and market penetration.

“The Dangote new sugar packs will greatly make more affordable to the average northern population,” a monarch who participated in the Fair, Alhaji Isyaku Umar Tofa, Makaman Bichi, told newsmen on the sideline of the company’s Special Day.

According to him, the redesigned and reasonably priced packs will enable more households, small retailers, and food vendors to access quality sugar without financial strain, thereby supporting both daily consumption needs and small-scale commercial activities.

Reacting, prominent businessman and Chief Executive of Sambajo General Enterprises Limited, Alhaji Salisu Sambajo said the 25kg pack is ideal for SMEs, bakeries, restaurants and distributors who require bulk but affordable quantities, making it easier for them to access quality sugar without high upfront costs.

On the other hand, he said, the 100g pack targets low-income households, retail kiosks, and on-the-go consumers.

“Together, these new pack sizes broaden our reach across all consumer segments, improve product visibility in open markets and retail outlets, and ultimately enhance our market share in the North.”

Dangote is one of the major sponsors of the Kano Trade Fair, with the theme: Empowering SMEs for Sustainable Growth.

He said the Dangote Group’s continuous investment in critical sectors such as sugar, petroleum, cement, fertilizers and more which has tremendously supported national development and improved livelihoods.

Alhaji Sambajo urged Dangote to maintain this commitment to quality, innovation, and local empowerment, especially across northern communities.

“Alhaji Aliko’s contributions remain invaluable, and we look forward to more breakthroughs that will support Nigeria’s growth and self-reliance,” he said.

He added that government should continue to create an enabling environment for large-scale industrialists like the Dangote Group.

“We need a supportive policy on transportation, taxation, energy supply, and ease of doing business to allow these industries to operate optimally and remain competitive,” he said.

A female trader from Maiduguri, Hajiya Y’agana Babagana, who participated in the Kano International Trade Fair, described the company’s initiative to introduce affordable 100g and 25kg sugar packs as a welcome development for consumers.

“I sell locally made incense, known as turaren wuta, and sugar is an essential ingredient in producing it, you simply cannot make turaren wuta without sugar,” Y’agana explained. She spoke enthusiastically about the new range of Dangote Sugar, adding, “You can see why we flocked to the Dangote pavilion to buy, especially the 25kg pack.”

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) joins the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) with the theme “United Against Corruption for Development, Peace and Security.” According to CITAD, as an organization committed to promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance, corruption remains one of the most significant threats to Nigeria’s development and democratic stability.

This was contained in a statement signed by YZ Yau, Executive Director of CITAD, and made available to newsmen, stressing the organization’s position on the urgent need for reforms.

CITAD observed that across the country, corruption continues to weaken public institutions, undermine service delivery, fuel insecurity, and erode citizens’ trust in governance. The organization noted that despite efforts by anti-corruption agencies and civil society, the persistence of corruption, especially in procurement, public finances, election processes, and digital governance, demands renewed commitment and stronger systemic reforms.

CITAD further expressed concern that corruption increasingly manifests within digital systems, including opaque data governance practices, misuse of digital surveillance tools, political manipulation of cybercrime laws, and weak oversight of public digital infrastructure. The organization emphasized that as Nigeria deepens its digital transformation, embedding accountability in the digital ecosystem is no longer optional but essential.

According to CITAD, the fight against corruption must now extend to both offline and online governance spaces, where misuse of power, absence of transparency, and weak regulatory enforcement create new avenues for abuse.

CITAD stressed that digital channels remain the most affordable and accessible means through which citizens can express themselves. The organization condemned the growing culture of weaponizing such expressions of opinion, describing it as inconsistent with democratic aspirations. CITAD insisted that government must demonstrate full tolerance for digital expression and take decisive measures to prevent misuse of security agencies by public officials to harass or intimidate citizens for expressing dissent. Without safe, open, and free online spaces for civic participation, CITAD warned, Nigeria’s commitment to fighting corruption will remain rhetorical.

CITAD therefore called on government and stakeholders to:
1. Strengthen transparency and accountability mechanisms across federal, state, and local government institutions.
2. Promote digital accountability, especially in procurement, data governance, and deployment of public digital infrastructure.
3. Ensure full implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to enable citizens and journalists access to public records without intimidation.
4. Protect activists, journalists, whistleblowers, and online critics who expose corruption and hold power to account.
5. Invest in civic and digital literacy to empower citizens, especially youth and women, to identify, report, and resist corruption.
6. Reinforce collaboration between government, civil society, media, and development partners to sustain anti-corruption reforms.

CITAD also urged anti-corruption agencies to prioritize investigation of digitally enabled corruption, strengthen whistleblower protection, and address political interference that weakens enforcement.

The organization emphasized that as Nigeria continues to confront economic challenges, insecurity, and pressures on democratic institutions, the cost of corruption has never been more severe. CITAD maintained that only through collective action, transparency, and accountability, powered by both civic engagement and digital governance reforms, can Nigeria achieve meaningful progress.

Finally, CITAD reaffirmed its commitment to building a society where integrity is valued, institutions are transparent, and citizens can participate freely without fear of reprisal.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has received a petition from the Public Integrity Forum (PIF), a civic accountability organisation, calling for a full investigation into retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dasuki Galadanci over alleged unexplained wealth and suspected financial crimes.

The petition, dated 3rd December 2025 and signed by David Ekele Okonjo, Executive Director of the forum, urges the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to jointly launch a forensic probe into the former police chief’s assets, bank transactions, and sources of income.

According to PIF, publicly available information and financial accounts indicate that the retired DIG is linked to multiple high-value properties reportedly worth billions of naira across Kano, Abuja, and Lagos.

The group noted that such assets appear to far exceed what can be justified by the legitimate earnings of a career police officer.

The petition emphasises that the situation raises strong suspicion of abuse of office, diversion of public resources, bribery, gratification, and potential money laundering.

PIF further stated that allegations of financial misconduct involving senior police officers pose a serious threat to public trust and the integrity of national security institutions.

The group insisted that only a transparent and thorough investigation can clarify the legitimacy of the properties in question.

As part of its demands, the organisation urged the anti-graft agencies and PSC to:

1. Conduct a full financial and forensic investigation into Galadanci’s assets and financial dealings while in service and after retirement.

2. Review his service records for possible abuse of office or violations of police ethics.

3. Verify all identified assets against his legitimate income.

4. Take appropriate legal action should any wrongdoing be established.

PIF noted that the petition was submitted strictly in the interest of justice, accountability, and the fight against corruption, adding that it stands ready to provide additional information to support the investigation.

The ICPC is yet to issue an official response to the petition.