Headlines
I’m still a PDP member–Ganduje’s commissioner

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Sadiq Wali, the Kano state Commissioner for Water Resources has reiterated that he is still an active member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) despite his position in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
KANO FOCUS reports that Mr Wali had raised eyebrows after his pictures emerged on social media platforms clutching a PDP membership card which he was said to have acquired alongside his father, Ambassador Aminu Wali, a former minister of foreign affairs and Bello Hayatu Gwarzo, a former senator.
The trio was said to have acquired the opposition membership cards last Saturday reportedly to avoid being expelled from the party for alleged anti-party activities.
The Kano PDP split

It could be recalled that the PDP in Kano state had split into two factions after the elder Wali–whose son Sadiq had attempted to contest for the 2019 governorship election in the state was–forced out of the race by Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of the state, who anointed his protege, Abba Yusuf as the PDP’s candidate.
After Mr Ganduje defeated Mr Yusuf in the 2019 elections, the anti-Kwankwaso PDP faction, led by Yahaya Bagobiri visited and congratulated Mr Ganduje on his election as governor of the state.
According Mr Bagobiri, who led the delegation, their support for the APC was not against the interest of their own party.
“We did it in the open and also through the media. That our people should support governor Ganduje in his second term bid. Which we all did. What we did was simply efforts in strengthening democratic structures and principle of free and fair choice.
“With this victory Your Excellency, we can say Allah saved us, Kano and its people from that tyranny. This is what we have been yearning for Your Excellency. That was why we came in block and supported your candidature, which yields fruits at the end of the day,” Mr Bagobiri had said.
Other members of the delegation included Aminu Wali, Akilu Sani Indabawa and Bello Hayatu Gwarzo.
In his response, Mr Ganduje welcomed the opposition chieftains and invited them to participate in an “all inclusive government as a show of appreciation and respect for the harmonious working relationship between him and the ‘original PDP members’ in the state”.
‘We answered Ganduje’s call’
But in his reaction to the speculations, Mr Sadiq Wali told KANO FOCUS that he had never left the PDP even after his appointment as commissioner, noting that Mr Ganduje called them to build an inclusive government.
“It’s not good for you journalists to speculate on something that did not happen.
“When I was invited the Kano state government told us it will form an all inclusive government.
“I have never collected a membership card from any other political party apart from my own political party the PDP.
“If I wanted to join the APC it would not be a shame for me and I will announce it everywhere, but I’m not willing to do so.
“Soon after Governor Ganduje won the supreme court verdict, he reiterated that he wanted an all inclusive government. So, I don’t know why people are trying to create problems,” he said.
The commissioner however blamed the Kwankwasiyya movement (led by Mr Kwankwaso) for “bringing destruction and disintegration in the PDP”, forcing them to join the opposition APC.
“We have been maltreated by the Kwankwasiyya faction. It’s not fair to us. Now somebody has won and asked us to help him. Do you expect us to reject him,” he asked.
“I’m willing to help Governor Ganduje since he invited us to help him in his government because he has faith in me,” Mr Wali added.

Hausa
FG kickstarts construction of Emerging Technologies Institute in Kano

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
As part of significant milestone in the Federal Government of Nigeria’s efforts to secure the socio-economic wellbeing of the future generation, as the ground was opened for commencement of construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) under the aegis of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), The Presidency.
KKANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Vice Chaiman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu during the Ground-breaking ceremony held at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Campus said the new institute sits on 30 hectares of the BUK land to be built, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs devoted to Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies, complemented by reliable power supply. “NASENI will fully build and equip and support the new Institute” said the EVC/CEO.

The future of socio-economic development for nations rests on human creativity, innovation and cooperation, Artificial intelligence, robotics amongst others.
Halilu said that the establishment of SETI in Nigeria is to rapidly respond to the waves of young people globally revolutionizing world economies with unprecedented emergence of socio-economic frontiers as by-products of innovations and ingenuities of these young minds.
“We in NASENI are firm believers in the potential of young Nigerians to be the prime catalysts of the type of transformation that Nigeria requires. And we will do everything within our powers to support them to fulfil this important responsibility”
“We are gathered here today to kickstart a project that will transform the lives and careers of future generations of young Nigerians. The Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI), located at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) by NASENI. This is very much in line with our operating principles; what we call our 3Cs: Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization. These 3Cs are the principles that passionately drive us and guide the work that we do to ensure the industrialization of Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
SETI will produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who will make their mark not just in Nigeria but around the world. “I’m eagerly looking forward to the day, not too long from now, when the Institute’s first set of beneficiaries will astonish the world with what they’re capable of accomplishing. These stories will put not just BUK on the global innovation map, but also Kano State and the entire Nigeria” said Halilu.
While carrying out the symbolic foundation laying ceremony of the institute as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, described the project as not only laudable but NASENI’s another way of fast-tracking the placing of Nigeria on the global map of innovation and industrialization. The minister called the project an “ace project” and a pointer to secure a veritable socio-economic development for the nation.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas described the new institute as a vehicle for bringing together the three critical tripods for economic and sustainable development for nations, that is, the government, academia and industry. He described the ground-breaking event as the beginning of Nigeria’s journey in pursuit of sustainable development, massive job creation opportunities for the youths, and that the BUK was delighted to be host to such laudable initiative and momentum.
There is also, in addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK is an Agri-preneurship Training Hub, that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture; occupying 10 hectares of land at the Old Campus. These projects collectively represent what NASENI stands for, that is, building capacity, advancing industrialization, supporting economic growth and prosperity.
NASENI appreciates the Government and people of Kano State, and the Vice Chancellor, management and students of Bayero University Kano (BUK), for all the support. Special gratitude goes to the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Special Guest of Honour.
NASENI thanked members of the National Assembly for their support, especially the NASENI oversight Committees in both chambers. And of course, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has given NASENI the opportunity to serve Nigeria through his unwavering demonstration of commitment to the success of the Agency.


FG kickstarts construction of Emerging Technologies Institute in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
As part of significant milestone in the Federal Government of Nigeria’s efforts to secure the socio-economic wellbeing of the future generation, as the ground was opened for commencement of construction of the Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI) under the aegis of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), The Presidency.

KKANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Vice Chaiman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu during the Ground-breaking ceremony held at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) New Campus said the new institute sits on 30 hectares of the BUK land to be built, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including innovation hubs devoted to Artificial Intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies, complemented by reliable power supply. “NASENI will fully build and equip and support the new Institute” said the EVC/CEO.
The future of socio-economic development for nations rests on human creativity, innovation and cooperation, Artificial intelligence, robotics amongst others.
Halilu said that the establishment of SETI in Nigeria is to rapidly respond to the waves of young people globally revolutionizing world economies with unprecedented emergence of socio-economic frontiers as by-products of innovations and ingenuities of these young minds.
“We in NASENI are firm believers in the potential of young Nigerians to be the prime catalysts of the type of transformation that Nigeria requires. And we will do everything within our powers to support them to fulfil this important responsibility”
“We are gathered here today to kickstart a project that will transform the lives and careers of future generations of young Nigerians. The Sustainable & Emerging Technologies Institute (SETI), located at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) by NASENI. This is very much in line with our operating principles; what we call our 3Cs: Collaboration, Creation, and Commercialization. These 3Cs are the principles that passionately drive us and guide the work that we do to ensure the industrialization of Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
SETI will produce innovators, technologists, entrepreneurs who will make their mark not just in Nigeria but around the world. “I’m eagerly looking forward to the day, not too long from now, when the Institute’s first set of beneficiaries will astonish the world with what they’re capable of accomplishing. These stories will put not just BUK on the global innovation map, but also Kano State and the entire Nigeria” said Halilu.
While carrying out the symbolic foundation laying ceremony of the institute as Special Guest of Honour, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, described the project as not only laudable but NASENI’s another way of fast-tracking the placing of Nigeria on the global map of innovation and industrialization. The minister called the project an “ace project” and a pointer to secure a veritable socio-economic development for the nation.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of BUK, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas described the new institute as a vehicle for bringing together the three critical tripods for economic and sustainable development for nations, that is, the government, academia and industry. He described the ground-breaking event as the beginning of Nigeria’s journey in pursuit of sustainable development, massive job creation opportunities for the youths, and that the BUK was delighted to be host to such laudable initiative and momentum.
There is also, in addition to SETI, a second NASENI project for BUK is an Agri-preneurship Training Hub, that will be equipped with modern greenhouses, and facilities for Soil-less Farming, and Tissue Culture; occupying 10 hectares of land at the Old Campus. These projects collectively represent what NASENI stands for, that is, building capacity, advancing industrialization, supporting economic growth and prosperity.
NASENI appreciates the Government and people of Kano State, and the Vice Chancellor, management and students of Bayero University Kano (BUK), for all the support. Special gratitude goes to the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, the Special Guest of Honour.
NASENI thanked members of the National Assembly for their support, especially the NASENI oversight Committees in both chambers. And of course, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has given NASENI the opportunity to serve Nigeria through his unwavering demonstration of commitment to the success of the Agency.

Headlines
Kano Govt inducts 70 lawyers to strengthen justice system

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Government has formally inducted 70 new state counsels into the Ministry of Justice in a bid to strengthen the state’s justice sector.

KANO FOCUS reports that the induction ceremony took place at the Institute of Anti-Corruption Goron Dutse.
Speaking at the occasion Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi declared that the 70 counsels will strengthen the state’s justice system, ensuring timely and effective justice services.
Barr. Dederi commended the incumbent administration of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for employing 70 state counsels, which he described as first of its kind since the creation of Kano state in 1967.
A statement issued by the public relations officer of the ministry Aminu Bello said the Commissioner applauded the state Ministry of Justice, describing it as a place of pride that produces reputable personalities who excel at state and federal levels.
He emphasized that the ministry is not a dumping ground for lazy lawyers, but rather a hub for dedicated professionals.
Dederi also commended the expertise of the resource persons and urged the counsel to continue tapping knowledge from senior advocates.
Earlier, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice Barr. Mustapha Nurraddeen Muhammad, charged the counsels on maintaining sound good conduct throughout their service career by setting a high standard for their professional conduct.
Barr. Muhammad also commended Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for his efforts in addressing the shortage of manpower within the Ministry, noting that, this acknowledgement highlights the Governor’s commitment to strengthening the Ministry’s capacity and ensuring its effective functioning.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 3-day induction training programme covered essential topics, including court procedures, legal drafting, and advocacy. The training equipped the new state counsel with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively discharge their duties.
