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Sasakawa Inaugurates Funded IsDB Mechanization Hub to Boost Smallholder Farming in Kano

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3 months ago

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The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), under the Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP), has commissioned the Kadawa Agricultural Mechanization Centre in Garun Mallam Local Government Area, one of three agricultural mechanization hubs established to transform smallholder farming in Kano State.

It was gathered that, the intervention, funded by the Kano State Government, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF), will see similar centres established in Danbatta and Gaya LGAs.

The effort is part of a six-month extension to the five-year KSADP, which began in 2021 and now runs until December 2025. While the Kano State Government provided land for the hubs, SAA is responsible for construction and equipment installation under the project’s crop component.

Speaking during the commissioning, SAA Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, represented by the Project Coordinator, Abdulrasheed Hamisu Kofarmata, said the intervention would “lift thousands of smallholder farmers out of low-productivity cycles.”

Kofar Mata explained that improved access to mechanization will empower farmers to compete in larger markets, create jobs, and strengthen food security.

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According to him the hubs will also generate opportunities for youth and women in machine operation, maintenance, and agro-processing. To ensure sustainability, he noted, the project is anchored on a Private Service Provider (PSP) model that integrates cooperatives and private operators.

In his remarks, Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President (Operations) of IsDB, expressed satisfaction with the commissioning of the Kadawa hub, describing it as a milestone that will significantly boost farmers’ productivity.

“This project is aimed at touching the lives of three million people. It is something for all of us to be proud of, as it benefits Kano State and farmers across the surrounding areas,” he said.

On his part, Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud said that the project’s full impact would be felt in the years to come.

“From crop production, irrigation, value addition, processing, and livestock productivity enhancement to climate-resilient initiatives, the benefits of this project will crystallize over time,” he said, expressing hope that the state and private sector partners would sustain and expand the initiative beyond donor involvement.

A beneficiary of the mechanization support, Sagir Abubakar from Ciromawa community, revealed that farmers under the project had collectively generated and saved N21 million.

“Out of this, N20 million has been deposited in the bank, while N1.3 million was distributed among members to enable them to purchase seedlings,” he explained.

Each of the hubs, according to report, will provide clusters of farmers with access to modern machinery and technical services for land preparation, planting, harvesting, processing, and storage. The facilities are equipped with tractors, power tillers, planters, harvesters, and threshers, operated by trained technicians.

Other highlights of the event included the formal commissioning of the Kadawa hub by Dr. Rami Ahmad, tour around the facility and a tree planting exercise.

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Ganduje Shelves Attempt To Establish Independent Hisbah – Dan Agundi

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5 hours ago

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December 16, 2025

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The attempt for the establishment of an independent Hisbah group in Kano State has been withdrawn and suspended – Baffa Babba Dan Agundi.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Alhaji Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, who said the withdrawal of the attempt was followed by a meeting with all stakeholders across the 44 local governments held at the Tinubu campaign office on Tuesday, the 16th of December.

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The statement added that the decision was following widespread outcry that trailed the attempt to establish the independent Hisbah group and the intervention of stakeholders, especially the Kano State Government and Department of State Services, as well as the former Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to ensure peace and stability.

The statement revealed that the meeting resolved to suspend the establishment of an independent Hisbah Fisabilillah to allow the Kano State Government to look into the issues amicably.

The statement maintained that the meeting also reiterated respect for the constituted authority and resolved to cooperate with security agencies for the maintenance of law and order as well as safety in Kano State and the country at large.

 

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ICPC Confirms Receipt of Dangote Petition Against NMDPRA CEO, Vows to Launch Investigation on the Matter

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5 hours ago

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December 16, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has acknowledged the receipt of a formal petition filed by billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote against Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

In the petition, Dangote alleges that Ahmed engaged in economic sabotage and corrupt practices, including the purported use of $5 million in public funds to cover his children’s tuition at Swiss schools.

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The petition, submitted earlier this week, calls for an investigation into Ahmed’s conduct and alleged misuse of office. The ICPC has confirmed that the matter is under review in line with standard procedural protocols, and will investigate in due time.

“The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) writes to confirm that it received a formal petition today Tuesday 16th December, 2025 from Alhaji Aliko Dangote through his lawyer. The petition is against the CEO of the NMDPRA, Alhaji Farouk Ahmed.

“The ICPC wishes to state that the petition will be duly investigated,” said a statement by ICPC spokesman, John Odey.

No further statements have been released by either the ICPC or NMDPRA regarding the allegations at this time.

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None of Nigeria’s Presidents have Brigadier Generals as ADC, as the promotion of Tinubu’s ADC was shelved.

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10 hours ago

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December 16, 2025

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None of Nigeria’s Presidents have Brigadier Generals as ADC, as the promotion of Tinubu’s ADC was shelved.”

The controversial plan to decorate Nurudeen Yusuf, aide-de-camp (ADC) to President Bola Tinubu, as a one-star general on Monday evening was shelved at the last minute after an intervention by two former chiefs of army staff.

Yusuf, who was only decorated as a colonel last January, was to be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general through “special presidential promotion”.

Under normal process, an officer has to be a colonel for at least four years after which he or she will attend the National Defence College (NDC) before they are considered for promotion.

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The approval to bypass the process was conveyed in a letter from the office of the national security adviser (NSA) to the Chief of army staff.

No brigadier has ever been ADC to the president of Nigeria, leading to further disquiet within the military establishment.

Ahead of the planned decoration on Monday, the minister of defence, Chris Musa — who is a retired general — and the chief of army staff, Waidi Shaibu, a lieutenant general, had cut short their visit to Lagos state and returned to the federal capital.

However, two highly respected former army chiefs eventually succeeded in persuading Tinubu to shelve the plan because of the dangers to the military establishment, TheCable learnt.

A presidential source told that the promotion is not going to happen “anytime soon”.

 

 

The cable

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