Headlines
Mobile subscribers rose to 180m in 2019—NCC
Nazifi Dawud
The Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) has revealed that the number of active mobile subscribers in Nigeria had risen from 174 million to 180 million from January to October, 2019.
This was revealed in a report titled “2019: NCC’s Regulatory Feats”.
The report said Nigeria’s telecoms sector had recorded “impressive statistics courtesy of smart and effective regulatory role of the NCC under the leadership of Professor Umar Garba Dambatta.
“Telecoms continues to be a major contributor to the nation’s economy, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Telecom’s contribution to national gross domestic product (GDP) for the 1st Quarter and 2nd Quarter of 2019 stood at 10.11 percent and 11.39 percent respectively.
“These contrast with 9.19 percent and 10.43 percent contribution in the 1st Quarter and 2nd Quarter of 2018 respectively. Broadly speaking, general Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contribution to GDP has increased to 13.8 percent currently.
“Active mobile voice subscribers increased from 174,012,136 in January, 2019 to 180,386,316 at the end of October, 2019 (which is the latest data in the industry, as posted on the NCC official website).
“Teledensity has also increased to 94.50 percent while internet subscribers increased from 114,306,598 to 123,559,596 during the period under review,” the report said.
Large broadband penetration
According to the NCC, the broadband penetration across the country has also risen from 32.34 percent to 37.87 percent. This means that the number of Nigerians on 3G and 4G networks grew from 61 million to 72 million between January and October 2019.
“With increase in broadband penetration being recorded on a monthly basis, stakeholders have said that the NCC is well positioned and must be supported by the government through relevant policies to drive the actualisation of the country’s digital economy policy strategy, going forward.
“This has become necessary since, as usual, the Commission is expected to take the driver’s seat in the actualisation of the new broadband target being worked on by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. Just recently, the new National Broadband Plan Committee was inaugurated to come up with the new broadband target for 2020-2025,” the report added.
Nasiru Yusuf
THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has carved out a new Kano transmission region from the old Kaduna Region.
KANO FOCUS reports that the newly established unit brings the number of TCN regional centres to 10.
The TCN believes the step will improve commercial activities in the state.
A statement issued by TCN General manager of Public Affairs Ndidi Mbah explained that the creation of the Kano Transmission Region became necessary owing to the rapid economic and industrial development being witnessed within Kano State and its environs, as well as the gradual implementation of TCN’s strategic ‘Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP),’ which has enabled the transmission company to complete some ongoing projects and increase the number of substations within that axis.
He said the Kano Transmission Region had, under its supervision, one sub-regional office and several work centers, all housing 13 transmission substations (TS), including the Kumbotso TS, Dan Agundi TS, Dakata TS, Tamburawa TS, Kwanar Dangora TS, Wudil TS, Kankia TS, Katsina TS, Daura TS, Dutse TS, Hadejia TS, Azare TS, and Gagarawa TS.
The new Kano region currently according to the statement has ongoing transmission substation projects which when completed would further increase bulk transmission capacity in the new region.
The new Kano Transmission Region, the company said, would deepen operational efficiency within the region and enable its engineers to readily access and resolve technical issues within the new region.
Mbah explained that prior to the creation of the new Kano Region, major decisions had to be referred to Kaduna Region for directives, and the supply of materials was sometimes delayed due to logistic issues from Kaduna.
Mbah noted that the proximity of the new region would radically reduce downtime and eliminate time lost when materials had to be conveyed from the Kaduna Region.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Department of State Services have arrested another blasphemous singer, Ahmad Abdul, whose song was perceived to create chaos in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Singer Ahmad Abdul was detained by the DSS because his free movement may likely cause violence reaction from Kano residents.
While in detention, Mr Abdul tender apology to entire Muslims, Kano state government and Islamic Scholars.
He told DSS operatives that he never thought that the song has violated Islamic teachings.
Commenting while witnessing the bail condition granted to Mr Abdul at the DSS Headquarters, Kano, the Executive Secretary of the Kano state Censorship Board Ismaila Naaba Afakallah recalled that he had received hundreds of petitions against the song from concerned citizens.
Afakallah said having realized the gravity of the song’s blasphemy, he reported the singer to DSS who swung into action and arrested him at a Hotel where he was hiding for days.
Mr Abdul Father, Abdullahi Isa thanked the DSS for their timely response on the matter which saved possible outbreak of law and order.
Also in August last year, An upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state has found one Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp.
However, the appellate division of the High Court of Kano State had on January 21 quashed the death sentence passed on Mr Sharif-Aminu and freed him.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The deposed Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II says he is not interested in contesting for the presidency of Nigeria.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Sunusi revealed this at a Tijjnaniyya zikir held in Abuja on Thursday.
Muhammadu Sanusi said his current position as Tijjaniyya Khalifa in Nigeria is superior to the presidency.
The deposed Emir however said he is ready to help those he believe in their competence to win elections without his participation in politics.
“If we trust a candidate is out to serve the people, we will come out and help them.
“That is not joining politics but a civic duty to the nation and its citizens” Mr. Sanusi said.
TCN creates Kano transmission region
DSS arrests singer accuse of blasphemy
I’ll not run for President – Muhammadu Sanusi II
Vigilantes arrest grave robber in Kano
Man arrested with over N1bn cash at Kano airport
‘Yan Sanda sun kama mutum 63 da ke addabar Kano
Ya kamata a yi dokar ‘kisa’ kan masu kwacen waya a Kano-al’umma
Kallon gobara: Mutane sama da 70 sun kone a Kano
Matashi a Kano ya cakawa dan cikin matar yayansa wuka
