Headlines
NCC emergency communications centers process 1,500 COVID-19 related calls – Danbatta
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has received and processed 1,500 COVID-19 related calls through its Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) in the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria.
Kano Focus reports that the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Umar Garba Danbatta, disclosed this during the commissioning of the ECC in Owerri, Imo State over the weekend by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami.
“During the total lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECCs played a remarkable role by providing a platform for members of the public to seek lifesaving information or support and reporting COVID-19 related cases by dialing ‘112’ from any of the networks.
“I am happy to report to you that over 1,500 COVID-19-related calls were received and processed by the ECCs in the peak of the pandemic.” Mr Danbatta said.
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The EVC said the ECC is equipped with necessary Information Technology (IT) tools and personnel to serve as a one-stop shop for citizens to access help from any response agency.
He explained that the center is essentially aimed at enhancing the security of lives and property of the citizens.
Mr Danbatta said the response agencies include the Nigeria Police (NPF), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Fire and Ambulance Services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and all its affiliate State Emergency Management Agencies, among others.
He said the NCC has activated 19 ECCs out of the 37 it is planning to open across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Mr Danbatta said the currently operational ECCs are based in Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Plateau, Enugu, Benue, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Oyo, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Adamawa, Kogi, Anambra and Imo States and FCT.
“We have no doubt that, if put to maximum use, and kept functional at all times, the ECC facilities will serve to complement the State Government’s efforts at enhancing the security of lives and property of citizens,” Mr Danbatta said.
Speaking during the tour of the ECC facilities, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami thanked Imo state government for giving the necessary support to the NCC to facilitate successful implementation of the project.
He assured of President Buhari’s commitment to support more initiatives aimed at achieving his government’s agenda addressing security issues, improving the economy and curbing corruption.
Mr Pantami noted that the country’s economy will reap huge benefits from effective implementation of more Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-driven projects across the country.
The Executive Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, thanked the Minister and the NCC for the ECC initiative.
Mr Uzodimma said the ECC has enhanced security of lives and property in the state.
Headlines
Governor Yusuf swears in six commissioners, three advisers, 19 permanent secretaries
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Headlines
Kano Cabinet Reshuffle: Waiya Moves from Information to Youths and Sports Ministry
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
Headlines
Albasu APC ieaders accuse council chairman, state assembly member of anti-party activities
They accuse council chairman, state lawmaker of supporting opposition senatorial candidate
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State have petitioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the party’s State Working Committee over alleged anti-party activities involving the council chairman, Garba Aliyu Hungu, and the member representing Albasu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Musa Tahir Hungu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the petitioners accused the two officials of maintaining political relationships with Kasim Ibrahim Bataiya, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Kano South, and allegedly working against the interests of the APC and its candidate, Senator Kawu Sumaila.
The petition, reportedly signed by more than 300 party officials and stakeholders across the wards and local government area, urged the governor and the party leadership to investigate the allegations and determine whether the conduct of the two officials violated the APC constitution.
According to the petitioners, the relationship between the officials and Bataiya predated their emergence as APC candidates, alleging that the NDC candidate had played a role in securing their previous political tickets.
They claimed that the relationship had continued despite their current political affiliations, raising concerns about their loyalty to the APC.
The petitioners further alleged that some elected councillors, political appointees and local government party officials had participated in activities organised by Bataiya, including attending his campaign rallies and mobilising support for his senatorial ambition.
One of the allegations was that the local government chairman provided the council’s town hall for political meetings and the launch of Bataiya’s senatorial campaign.
The stakeholders also accused the chairman and the lawmaker of frustrating efforts by party elders to investigate the alleged involvement of some APC councillors and executive committee members in the opposition candidate’s campaign activities.
They said a fact-finding committee was constituted under the leadership of Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani to examine the allegations but claimed that the two officials prevented it from carrying out its assignment.
The petitioners also alleged that the local government leadership failed to organise meetings with members of the APC legacy group despite what they described as directives from the governor and the party leadership.
They said one meeting was eventually held through the intervention of the member representing Albasu, Gaya and Ajingi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, but subsequent attempts to convene further meetings allegedly failed due to the chairman’s lack of commitment.
On the distribution of government empowerment programmes, the petitioners alleged that benefits intended for APC members and supporters were often diverted to individuals considered loyal to the NDC senatorial candidate.
They expressed concern that genuine APC members in the area were being marginalised and called for greater accountability in the distribution of government interventions.
The petition also cited the mobilisation of party members for the presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, alleging that while other local governments provided at least 30 buses for the exercise, Albasu provided only 17.
Another issue raised was the continued participation of the serving Amirul Hajj in NDC activities. The petitioners alleged that the individual had retired from public service about two years ago but had yet to be replaced by the local government leadership.
They argued that the alleged activities could undermine party discipline, unity and the APC’s electoral prospects in Albasu and the wider Kano South Senatorial District.
The stakeholders consequently urged Governor Yusuf, whom they described as the party leader in Kano State, and the State Working Committee to examine the allegations under Article 21 of the APC constitution and determine whether the conduct of the two officials amounts to punishable anti-party activities.
However, they called for a fair and impartial process, urging the party leadership to invite the accused officials to respond to the allegations before taking any disciplinary action.
The petitioners maintained that their action was intended to protect the party’s interests, promote accountability and strengthen its unity at the grassroots, rather than malign any individual or prejudge the outcome of an investigation.
The petition was signed by Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Caucus Chairman; Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, Caucus Secretary; former Kano State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sunusi Usman Bataiya; Isyaka Danyaya, Albasu APC Deputy Chairman; and other local government and ward officials.
Efforts to contact Garba Aliyu Hungu and Musa Tahir Hungu for their reactions to the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
