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Kano Allocates N27.8bn for ICT, CBT Centres Across 44 LGAs

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The Kano State Government has earmarked N27.806 billion for the establishment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across the state’s 44 Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Tajuddin Uthman, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Kano Press Centre, where he outlined a number of initiatives being undertaken by the government to improve security, education, healthcare and access to technology across the state.

Uthman said the proposed ICT and CBT centres would be established in each of the 44 LGAs to provide residents, particularly students, with access to computers and digital examination facilities without having to travel long distances to Kano metropolis.

The commissioner explained that the initiative was designed to address the difficulties faced by students from rural communities who are required to travel to the state capital to sit for examinations conducted electronically.

According to him, the government considers the establishment of the centres necessary because examinations and other important services are increasingly moving online, making access to computers and reliable internet-enabled facilities essential for students and other members of the public.

Uthman cited areas such as Dambatta and Gaya as examples of communities where students sometimes have to travel to Kano to access CBT facilities, stressing that the new centres would bring such services closer to the people.

He said the centres would not be restricted to examinations, as residents of the respective LGAs would also have opportunities to use the computers and other facilities for various digital activities, thereby improving their digital literacy and access to online services.

The commissioner disclosed that each of the proposed centres would have three compartments, with each compartment designed to accommodate 100 students at a time, giving each centre a total capacity of 300 students.

Uthman further stated that each centre would be equipped with 300 computers to ensure that a large number of candidates could participate in computer-based examinations and other digital activities simultaneously.

He explained that the government was also making provisions for uninterrupted power supply at the centres, with electricity expected to be supported through the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), generators and solar-powered systems.

According to him, the centres would operate on a 24-hour basis to maximise their usefulness and ensure that students, residents and other users could access the facilities beyond conventional working hours.

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Uthman said users would be required to pay affordable charges for some of the services provided at the centres, explaining that the fees would help sustain the facilities, maintain the equipment and ensure that the centres remain functional after their establishment.

On security, the commissioner said the state government was strengthening existing security arrangements in the 44 LGAs through additional measures, including the deployment of forest guards to areas where insecurity has been identified as a challenge.

Uthman said the additional security arrangements were aimed at improving rapid response to security threats and enhancing the safety of residents, particularly in local government areas and communities considered vulnerable to attacks.

He further disclosed that military bases would be established in strategic locations across the state as part of measures to strengthen security and improve the government’s ability to respond quickly to emerging threats.

The commissioner said the government was determined to ensure that security challenges did not prevent residents in rural communities from accessing government services, education, healthcare and other opportunities.

On healthcare, Uthman announced plans to provide a rural emergency ambulance for wards across the state’s 44 LGAs as part of efforts to improve access to emergency and basic healthcare services for people living in rural communities.

He explained that the ambulances would be designed specifically for rural environments and would help transport patients requiring urgent medical attention from remote communities to appropriate healthcare facilities.

According to the commissioner, the ambulances would be in the form of tricycles adapted for emergency medical transportation, making them suitable for communities and roads where conventional ambulances may experience difficulties.

Uthman added that each ambulance would have two drivers assigned to it to ensure availability and continuity of service, while qualified drivers would be recruited by the government to operate the vehicles.

He said the rural ambulance programme was specifically intended to bring emergency healthcare closer to rural dwellers and reduce delays in transporting patients to health facilities.

The commissioner also disclosed plans to establish electric vehicle charging points in the metropolitan area as part of the government’s efforts to promote cheaper and more sustainable transportation.

Uthman said the charging infrastructure would support users of electric motorcycles and electric tricycles and would make it easier for residents to adopt electric vehicles as an alternative means of transportation.

He explained that increasing access to charging facilities would contribute to reducing the cost of transportation for residents while also supporting the state’s transition towards cleaner energy-powered mobility.

The commissioner commended Abba Bichi for his contribution towards the provision of solar-powered facilities, describing such initiatives as important to the state’s efforts to expand access to reliable and alternative sources of electricity.

Uthman also said the state government would continue its efforts to revive entrepreneurship, stressing that the development of small businesses and self-employment opportunities remained an important part of its strategy for improving livelihoods and economic opportunities for residents.

He said the various initiatives in ICT, healthcare, security, renewable energy and entrepreneurship were aimed at bringing government services and opportunities closer to residents across the 44 LGAs, particularly those living in rural communities.

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Nigeria’s GDP Growth, Drop in Inflation Not Translating into Poverty Reduction – BUK Deputy VC

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The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, has said that Nigeria’s recent economic growth and decline in inflation have yet to translate into a meaningful reduction in poverty among citizens.

Professor Tsauni, an economist, made this observation during a gathering organised by the Non-Formal Development for Education and Health Initiative, with the theme, “Nigeria at a Crossroad: Who Is to Fix It?”

He said that although Nigeria had recorded some level of growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and improvements in certain economic indicators, the development had not significantly improved the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the country continues to grapple with complex economic and social challenges that require collective efforts and practical solutions to overcome.

“We want to show that Nigeria is a country that, in spite of its challenges, has complex problems that will not really allow it to address them easily. Recently, we have been experiencing some level of growth in GDP, but those indices are not translating into a reduction in poverty, and so we are at a crossroads,” he said.

The BUK Deputy Vice-Chancellor explained that addressing the country’s challenges required more than government interventions, stressing that every Nigerian had a responsibility to contribute to rebuilding the country.

He maintained that the responsibility of finding solutions to Nigeria’s problems should not be left to individuals, political leaders or organisations alone, but should involve citizens from all sectors of society.

Professor Tsauni also called on the government to formulate and implement pragmatic policies capable of addressing the country’s challenges, while emphasising the importance of building public trust.

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He, however, identified negative societal attitudes and a lack of commitment to national development as some of the major obstacles preventing Nigeria from achieving the desired results from its policies.

According to him, Nigeria has developed several sound policies over the years, but poor attitudes and the failure of citizens to demonstrate the necessary commitment have continued to undermine their implementation.

“We have beautiful policies in Nigeria, but they cannot work because of our attitude. We should not apportion blame to anybody because we created the problem together, so everybody should contribute,” he said.

The university don urged Nigerians across different professions and institutions to examine their conduct and take responsibility for improving the country.

He specifically noted that classroom teachers, judges, public servants and other professionals must reflect on their individual responsibilities, adding that positive changes in societal attitudes were essential to national development.

Professor Tsauni further stressed that Nigeria’s current situation required collective reflection and a change in citizens’ approach to public responsibilities rather than continuous blame-shifting.

Earlier, the Technical Lead of the Non-Formal Development for Education and Health Initiative, Dr Auwal Halilu, called on Nigerians to demonstrate patriotism and contribute towards revitalising the country.

Dr Halilu said Nigeria was facing numerous challenges as the country approached the 2027 general elections, stressing the need for citizens to reflect on how to secure the country’s future through responsible participation in the electoral process.

He urged Nigerians to embrace positive values, transparency and accountability, noting that national development could only be achieved when citizens and leaders demonstrated genuine commitment to the country’s progress.

“We should take into consideration that we are going to revitalise this country. Every Nigerian should be patriotic. There are a lot of challenges in Nigeria as we approach the 2027 elections. How can we help to get the best in Nigeria? We should change our values for good and be transparent,” he said.

Dr Halilu also challenged Nigerians to consider how they could support leaders in addressing the country’s challenges, rather than leaving the responsibility of national development entirely to those in government.

He emphasised that rebuilding Nigeria required a collective commitment to good values, transparency and patriotism, particularly as the country prepares for another general election in 2027.

The gathering provided an opportunity for discussions on Nigeria’s economic and social challenges, the responsibilities of citizens and the need for collective action towards national development.

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Dala Chairman Marks Two Years In Office With Prayers For Peace,Leaders

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By Abdu Saidu

The Chairman of Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Hon. Suraj Ibrahim Imam, has marked his second anniversary in office with a special prayer session for peace, stability and good governance in Dala, Kano State and Nigeria at large.

The prayer session, held on Saturday at the local government secretariat, featured the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by about 60 Islamic scholars and Qur’anic memorizers drawn from different parts of the council area.

The participants offered prayers for divine guidance, wisdom and success for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the National Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly, as well as other political leaders.

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Speaking at the event, Imam said the prayer session was organised to express gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve the people of Dala for two years and to seek His continued guidance and blessings for the council, the state and the country.

He added that the gathering was also an opportunity to pray for the success of Governor Yusuf and other political leaders in their future political engagements.

On his administration’s performance, the chairman disclosed that several development projects had been executed across the 12 wards of Dala Local Government Area within the past two years, with the support and approval of Governor Yusuf.

He commended the governor for his development initiatives across the state’s 44 local government areas, particularly in healthcare, education, security, road construction, potable water supply, agriculture and employment generation.

According to Imam, the interventions have contributed to improving the living conditions of residents and strengthening development at the grassroots.

He expressed confidence in the governor’s leadership and called on residents and political stakeholders to support his re-election in 2027. He also expressed support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates ahead of the next general elections.

The event was attended by Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim Al-Mustapha, OON, councillors, Islamic scholars, Qur’anic memorizers, political advisers, the local government secretary and other stakeholders from across Dala Local Government Area.

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NNPC Confirms Gas Supply & Network Availability

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NNPC Limited confirms that gas transportation network operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), remains available to support deliveries to power generating stations Nationwide without any constraints. NGIC’s operational records do not indicate transportation-related constraints within its network that explain the current decline in electricity generation.

NNPC Limited is focussed on actualizing the Federal Government’s gas development and monetization agenda which has led to about 10% growth in gas production volumes 2026 year to date. Gas supply availability is therefore not a challenge as NNPC remains committed to supporting efforts to improve electricity generation through safe, reliable and efficient gas supply and transportation.

This clarification follows the Nigerian Independent System Operator’s (NISO) statement of 5 November 2026, which cited limited gas availability and reduced water inflows to hydroelectric stations as causes of lower generation. NNPC Limited’s clarification concerns the operational status of NGIC’s transportation network. Gas production, commercial supply arrangements and actual deliveries to individual power plants must be assessed separately from the availability of transportation infrastructure.

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A comprehensive assessment must also consider the availability and operational readiness of generating units, plant maintenance schedules and actual gas offtake. These factors determine whether gas supplied can be converted into electricity. They should be verified alongside gas supply data to establish the causes of the shortfall.

NNPC Limited supports a coordinated review of operational data by gas suppliers, transporters, power generators and NISO to identify specific constraints and guide effective interventions. Accurate reporting across the gas-to-power value chain is essential to resolving the challenges and sustaining public confidence.

Our focus remains on dependable energy infrastructure and constructive collaboration that helps translate Nigeria’s gas resources into more reliable electricity for Nigerians.

Andy Odeh
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Limited
Abuja

6 November 2026

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