Headlines
Opay reacts to police closure of Kano office
By Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
Opay, the online payment service whose office was shut down by the Kano State Police Command on the orders of the Kano state government has said it is working to resolve its differences amicably with the state government.
KANO FOCUS recalls that armed police personnel stormed the office of the online payment company and shut down its operations on Thursday for alleged non-compliance with rules and regulations set for it by the state government.
The police dispersed the company’s staff members as well as scores of commercial tricycle riders, who were at the premises to settle their balances.
However in a statement, Ridwan Olalere, the Director of Operations of the company in Kano said Opay is a legally registered platform that is seeking to assist members of the Kano public to enjoy affordable transportation through the use of government-recognized Keke Napep associations.
“This is in continuation of the founding vision of ORide (a service on the Opay app) which is, to make smart commuting accessible to people of all walks of life, at an affordable rate. ORide is about creating opportunities by helping people move from where they are to where they need to be,” he said.
He explained that the company, which started operating in August 2019, had empowered the tricycle riders (aka Adaidaita Sahu) with smartphones as part of their on-board kit while training them on international safety and security standards, before it was invited by the government to clarify its operations.
“While engaging with relevant stakeholders within Kano state Government to introduce the
platform upon launch, OTrike was invited by the Government to further clarify and educate
the Government on its business model including topics on its pricing approach which is
surprisingly very low, as well as accreditation and certification to operate its business,” he said.
“Upon concluding government verification, the state is now confident in the platform. Partnership discussions have been opened with the platform in a bid to leverage OTrike’s solutions for regulating the tricycle business in Kano. This has led to the government requesting that the organization restructures its business to fully integrate with the state’s commerce laws as another round of Keke registration via KAROTA begins soon,” Olalere added.
He also said the launch of the Opay online app “has been met with positive reactions from the residents of Kano state”.
OPay is a subsidiary of Opera Internet Group. The company is registered in Nigeria as
Paycom Nigeria Limited and began operations in August 2018 with a CBN license to operate
microfinance services via its mobile wallet.
The Kano state Government under the able leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced it decision to revisit the abandoned trailer park projects in Kano south zonal.
The decision was announced by Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf through his spokesperson Sanusi Bature after an unscheduled to the Dakatsalle site of one of the abandoned projects.
According to the statement, these trailer park projects were initiated by the Rabiu Kwankwaso administration in 2014 at Dakatsalle, Gundutse and Dawanau but they were abandoned the immediate past administration of Ganduje.
The Governor who lamented the rampant blockage of road by heavy duty vehicles creation unneccesary hardship to road users within the metropolis, said the decision to revive the projects particularly at Gundutse and Dakatsalle in Kano South.
“It was unpatrotic for the immediate past administration to have vandalised the third location of these projects in Dawanau, which was expected to serve Kano north but the project site has allocated plots to members of thier families and cronies.” Gov. Yusuf lamented
The Governor further stated that the reasons for resustsiting were for maintaining of safety, ease vehicular movement and economic development.
Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa added that the Governor has directed all relevant agencies to ensure strict compliance of road traffic and ensure that no major road is blocked by any gathering including Friday mosques within and outside the Kano city.
Similarly, the Governor has revocked all lands allocated within the two trailer parks in Kano south (Gundutse and Dakatsalle) as part of the plan to revisit the projects.
It could be recalled that the projects were handed over to National Association of Road Transport Owners (NATO) to operate after completions
Sanusi Bature DawakinTofa
Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
The Executive Governor of Kano State His Excellency Abba Kabir Yusuf has flagged off the second phase of women empowerment on livestock entrepreneurship.
A statement from the office of the Governor’s Spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa revealed that the women beneficiaries were given three small ruminants (goats) across the 44 Local Government areas of the state.
The iniative was championed under the State’s Livestock Fattining Programme of Kano Agro-Pastoral Development (KSADP).
While flagging off the second phase of programme, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said as part of his administration’s commitment to fighting abject poverty, it has been resolved to coordinate a multi-dimensional approach to supporting the plight of women and youth for self-reliance.
He said under this iniative, the state is distributing seven thousand one hundred and fifty eight (7, 158) goats to two thousand three hundred and eighty six women beneficisries.
The Governor further stated that the programme will include the distribution of one thousand three hundred and forty two (1, 342) cows to women and youth and also one thousand eight hundred and twenty two rams.
While distributing the empowerment, the Governor issued a stern warning on diversion of the animals other than the purpose it was meant for.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano has inaugurated a 7.3 kilometer rural road equipped with solar-powered streetlights valued at over N4 billion in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project which was launched Sunday, was originally initiated by Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s administration in 2012 but was Abandoned by the immediate past governor in state.
Gov Abba Kabir Yusuf
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Yusuf expressed joy at fulfilling one of his campaign promises.
“Today, we witness the realisation of a commitment made to the people of Dawakin Kudu,” he said.
Dawakinkudu road
“I am delighted to commission this project, which will significantly enhance the socio-economic well-being of the community.”
The road project was revalidated last year under an agreement with H&M Nigeria Limited, the contractor, to complete and deliver it within the first quarter of 2025.
Sani Ahmad Mairago, Chairman of Dawakin Kudu Local Government, commended the governor for prioritizing and completing the project, describing it as a vital development for the local community.
Kano Govt. Set to Resit Trailer Park Projects at Dakatsalle, Gundutse
Gov. Yusuf empowers Kano women with N2.3 billion on livestock business
Gov Yusuf inaugurates N4bn Dawakin Kudu road
Rural Development: Gov. Yusuf Commissions N4 Billion Road Project in Dawakin Kudu Abandoned by Ganduje
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