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NCC sensitises telecom consumers at 2021 Enugu international trade fair
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), in line with its tradition of exploring avenues to engage with telecom consumers, has taken advantage of the opportunity of this year’s edition of the Enugu International Trade Fair to enlighten telecom consumers on their rights and privileges within the telecommunications sector.
Addressing a large audience of telecom consumers during the NCC Special Day held at recently-concluded 32nd Enugu International Trade Fair organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Umar Garba Danbatta, said events of this nature provide the opportunity for NCC, as a telecom regulator, to interact with consumers and attend to their service-related concerns.
In attendance at the NCC Special Day were the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde; Director, Consumer Affairs, Efosa Idehen; Zonal Controller, NCC Enugu Zonal Office, Ogbonnaya Ugama, and executive members of ECCIMA.
Represented by the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde, Mr Danbatta, who spoke around the theme of the Fair: “Promoting New Technologies, Business Ideas and Strategies for Rapid Economic Growth and Development in Nigeria,” highlighted some of the regulatory initiatives emplaced by the Commission for protecting, informing and educating the consumers.
These initiatives include the NCC Emergency Toll-free Number 112; the NCC Consumer Complaint Toll-Free Number 622; the Do-Not-Disturb (DND) Short Code 2442, the Regulation on Forceful Subscription and measures put in place to check cases of pre-registered Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards.
Mr Danbatta emphasised the importance of the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN)-SIM data linkage exercise, in order to ensure credible citizen database for improved national security. He stressed the need for consumers to be cybersecurity-conscious while online and to always ensure efficient management of e-waste for a safer environment, noting that this year’s World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), which was observed on March 15, 2021 focused on ‘Tackling Plastic Pollution’ in line with the e-Waste Regulation being pursued by the Commission.
Mr Danbatta praised the efforts of Chamber at sustaining the Fair over the years, pointing out that it remains the largest and most important business event South-East of the country. “The Fair is pivotal to bolstering the economic and industrial transformation of the region in view of its enormous business potential,” Danbatta said.
In attendance during the NCC Day at the Fair were Executive members of the ECCIMA. Earlier in his welcome address, the President of the Chamber, Emeka Nwandu, who was represented by the Chamber’s Deputy President, Jasper Nduagwuike, extolled the role of the Chamber in the facilitation and promotion of robust exchange of business engagements in the South-East region of the country over the years through various initiatives, such as the Trade Fair.
During an interactive executive session with the ECCIMA executives at the Commission’s pavilion, Adinde and Idehen fielded questions ranging from consumer complaints management, the recent Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) policy, NIN-SIM linkage exercise and other industry-related issues.
The event attracted many multinational, international and national exhibitors, who took advantage of the Fair to reach out to their customers in the South-East and South-South zones of the country.
The NCC has, over the years, been a regular participant at international trade fairs across the country and has been consistent in its participation at the Enugu International Trade Fair.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Professor Muhammad Ahmad Makarfi of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has identified inclusive microfinance as a critical tool for addressing food insecurity and poverty in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Makarfi, of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, made the recommendation while delivering the university’s 64th Professorial Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, October 14, 2026, at the CBN Centre of Excellence.
The lecture, titled *“Innovative Options for Nigeria’s Food Security and Poverty Alleviation: The Microfinance Pathway to Sustainable Development,”* examined how improved access to affordable financing could boost agricultural production and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The professor said that despite Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources, food production and rural livelihoods continued to face challenges, including limited access to affordable finance, insecurity, climate change, inadequate infrastructure and low agricultural productivity.
He argued that expanding access to agricultural finance, particularly for smallholder farmers, would encourage investment, improve productivity and strengthen the country’s food security.
Prof. Makarfi reviewed Nigeria’s agricultural financing policies and interventions, highlighting the need for innovative credit delivery systems that would make funding more accessible, affordable and sustainable for farmers.
He identified microfinance institutions and Islamic finance models as potential avenues for improving access to agricultural credit.
In his recommendations, the professor said sustainable food security and poverty reduction required policies that prioritised increased domestic agricultural production through better access to finance, modern technologies, quality farm inputs and markets.
He also called for stronger microfinance institutions, expanded farmer-friendly financing mechanisms and an enabling environment to attract investment across the agricultural value chain.
According to him, such measures would improve agricultural productivity, enhance livelihoods and accelerate Nigeria’s sustainable development.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Professor Haruna Musa, who chaired the lecture, was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni.
Prof. Musa commended the lecturer for choosing a topic that addressed critical issues surrounding food insecurity, livelihoods and agricultural development.
The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Aminu Sulaiman, who presented the lecturer’s citation, said Mr Makarfi had published more than 150 local and international publications, contributed 10 book chapters and authored eight books.
Professor Mahmoud Ibrahim Daneji, who represented the Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, delivered the vote of thanks.
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BUK Professor advocates microfinance to tackle food insecurity, poverty
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