Headlines
NCC Attends Argungu Festival, Carries out Consumer Education
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has leveraged its presence as a collaborating partner at this year’s Argungu International Fishing and Culture Festival (AIFCF) to undertake a robust education of telecoms consumers attending the event about their rights, privileges as well as their obligations as critical stakeholders in the telecommunications industry.
The historic event, which dates back to 1934 was first organised in honour of a visiting Sultan of Sokoto, the Late Malam Hassan Dan Mu’azu, to mark the end of hostility between jihadists and the Kabawa.
Held annually in Argungu town, Kebbi State, this year’s edition of the five-day festival started on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 and it is expected to end on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Each year, the festival attracts participants from private and public sectors both within and outside the country.
The festival, thus, offers the NCC the opportunity to interact with a large number of telecom consumers attending the festival to educate them on their rights and privileges as telecoms consumers, and also to enlighten them on various consumer-centric actions and policies of the NCC.
As a programming partner to AIFCF 2020, the NCC participated at the Symposium and Grand Finale Inter-States Quiz and Essay Writing Competition, which marked the opening activities of AIFCF 2020.
This aspect of the festival, which was well attended by traditional rulers, other community leaders and other participants from the public and private sectors, members of the academa and as well as tourists, held
at the Conference Hall of the Presidential Lodge in Birnin- Kebbi.
The NCC seized the opportunity of the symposium to educate and sensitise participants on the procedures for reporting and resolving telecom services-related challenges. Importantly, telecom consumers were informed that the process begins with filing a complaint to service providers.
Consumers were also informed on their right to escalate their complaints to NCC in cases where they are not satisfactorily attended to by their service providers. In this case, consumers were ask to dial the 622 toll-free number provided by NCC.
The NCC also enlightened the consumers on the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) 2442, where a consumer is required to simply send “STOP” as a text message to the short code, 2442, in order to completely stop unsolicited Short Messaging Services (SMS), or to send “HELP” to 2442”, to select the kinds of SMS or Value-Added Services (VAS) they may wish to receive.
The Commission also sensitised participants on the availability of 112 toll-free number which telecom consumers and other citizens can dial in emergency situation, in order to access help from emergency response agencies (ERAs) through the Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs). Eighteen of the ECCs has so far been built by the NCC in different states. The Commission is also in the process of building ECCs in remaining states in the Federation.
The Consumers were also enlightened on the dangers of using improperly-registered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards. They were enjoined to ensure proper registration of their SIM cards to avoid being disconnected on the mobile networks.
The NCC team also urged the consumers to leverage Mobile Number Portability (MNP) to seamlessly migrate from their original network to any of the other networks they prefer without losing their SIM numbers.
Participants at the Festival were equally informed of the opportunities that abound in the telecoms sector. For instance, the kinds of licenses they can obtain to start small scale businesses in the telecoms sector.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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