News
N950m PDP fund’s trial delays Shekarau from attending APC rally in Kano
Nasir Ibrahim
Ibrahim Shekarau, APC candidate for Kano Central senatorial election district arrived late for the Buhari campaign rally on Thursday due to a court hearing over N950 million PDP campaign fund.
The trial was had been slated for Thursday January 31st and Friday February 1st, 2019 at a Federal High Court in Kano.
At the commencement of the trial on Thursday, counsel to Mr Shekarau, Jibrin Okutepa pleaded to the court to adjourn the matter to Friday to enable his client attend President Buhari’s campaign rally taking place on same day in Kano.
“My Lord, Mr President is coming to Kano today. My client is politician and wants to attend the rally,” he said.
However, the trial judge Lewis Allagoa rejected Mr Shekarau’s request and ordered for the commencement of the trial.
Again, about one and half hour later Mr Okutepa moved another application seeking for the adjournment of the trial based on the predicament of Mr Shekarau being a Senatorial candidate of the APC.
The trial judge rejected the request again, saying he wants continue with the case as the counsel did not provide a valid reason for adjournment.
When the matter was called up, counsel to EFCC Samuel Chiwe presented a staff of EFCC Mahmud Tukur as his first witness.
Mr Tukur told the court that the EFCC has received intelligence report that the sum of N23 billion has been deposited by former Minister of Petroleum at Fidelity bank in Lagos out of which N950 million was directed to be given to Kano PDP.
He added that the money was received by former minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad on March 26th, 2015 two days to the presidential election.
“I visited fidelity Bank Kano on April 27th, 2016 where I interviewed the business manager Aliyu Da’u Aliyu and operations manager Saheed. In the course of the interview, they confirmed that on night of March 26th, 2015 they gave 2nd and 3rd defendants (Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad) the sum of 950 millionNaira. They provided us with the receipt of payment alongside the identification document of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.
“We invited them, interview them and obtained their statement. The 1st defendant (Mr Shekarau) wrote a statement on May 12th, 13th and 14th,2016, the 2nd defendant (Mr Wali) wrote a statement on May 5th, 1016 and the 3rd defendant (Mr Ahmed) wrote a statement on May 13th, 2019,” Mr Tukur testified.
The court has admitted three exhibits against the accused persons. They are statements obtained at EFCC, receipt of bank payment and letter from the Fidelity bank.
The proceeding which lasted for only 2 hours was interrupted with two recess called by trial judge.
In an unusual move, the trial judge adjourned the case to Friday 1st February, 2019 at his chamber during second recess following a plea by both prosecution and defence counsels.
Mr Shekarau was a minister of education under former President Goodluck Jonathan prior to 2015 general elections. He is now contesting for Kano central senatorial seat under APC.
News
Dangote Cement Deploys AI, Telematics to Enhance Transport Safety
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
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.
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.
Headlines
Kwankwaso mourns former Radio Kano, ARTV boss Adamu Getso
Ibrahim Khalil
Former Kano State Governor and national leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed sadness over the death of former Managing Director of Radio Kano and Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, in a condolence message posted on his Facebook account on Sunday, described the late Getso as a seasoned broadcaster and accomplished media professional whose contributions to public communication and media development left a lasting impact on Kano State.
The former governor recalled that Getso served with distinction as Managing Director of ARTV and later as Managing Director of Radio Kano during his two tenures as governor of the state.
According to Kwankwaso, the deceased played a significant role in advancing public information dissemination and strengthening the media sector in Kano.
“His immense contributions to public communication, media development, and the overall progress of Kano State will be remembered for generations,” he stated.
Kwankwaso extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the people of Getso community in Gwarzo Local Government Area, the government and people of Kano State, and members of the media profession.
He prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the shortcomings of the late media administrator, grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannah, and give his family and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Adamu Getso, a respected broadcaster and administrator, served in key leadership positions within Kano State-owned media organisations and was widely acknowledged for his contributions to the growth of broadcasting in the state. His death has continued to attract tributes from political leaders, journalists, and members of the public.
Headlines
Governor Yusuf Mourns Former CTV 67 Managing Director, Adamu Getso
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Managing Director of CTV 67 Television, now known as the Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV), between 2000 and 2003, Alhaji Adamu Ibrahim Getso, who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s condolence message was conveyed in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
Governor Yusuf described the late Getso as a distinguished broadcaster, seasoned administrator, and dedicated public servant who devoted his life to the advancement of journalism, public enlightenment, and the promotion of societal values through the media.
According to the governor, the deceased was widely respected for his honesty, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to public service, qualities that earned him admiration from colleagues, government officials, and members of the public.
The governor recalled that after his appointment as Managing Director of CTV 67 Television, Getso served as the Managing Director of Radio Kano, between 2011 and 2015.
During his tenure, the late media administrator made significant contributions to the growth and development of television broadcasting in Kano State, Governor Yusuf noted.
He further stated that Getso later served as Managing Director of Radio Kano from 2011 to 2015, where he provided exemplary leadership and implemented reforms that strengthened the station’s position as one of the leading public broadcasting organisations in Northern Nigeria.
On behalf of the government and people of Kano State, Governor Yusuf extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the management and staff of Radio Kano and ARTV, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the wider media community.
The governor prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds with Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant his family, friends, former colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
KANO FOCUS reports that the death of Adamu Getso has been described by many as a significant loss to the media industry in Kano State and Nigeria at large, given his decades of service and contributions to the development of broadcasting.
