News
FCT Seeks NCC’s collaboration on Development of Satellite Towns
Nasiru Yusuf
An agency of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), has sought the support and collaboration of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) towards ensuring state-of-the-art satellite towns development befitting of a federal capital.
KANO FOCUS reports that STDD’s Coordinator, Obinna Ogwuegbu, made the call recently when he led an 11-man delegation on a courtesy call to the Commission in Abuja.
Ogwuegbu stated that the main objective of the visit was to intimate NCC management on the strides being made by the development agency on its mandate and to seek NCC’s buy-in toward ensuring availability of telecoms infrastructure in the satellite towns.
“The STDD is a Government Establishment operating under the Federal Capital Territory Administration, with a mandate to develop the Satellite Towns of the Federal Capital Territory by providing engineering infrastructure such as district infrastructure, rural/link roads, water and electricity supply, environmental sanitation, and town planning to the Satellite Towns,” he said.
He said NCC, as the telecoms regulator, which is intimately connected to facilitating digital connectivity infrastructure, will be requested to support STDD, facilitating the development and rollout of telecoms/engineering infrastructure across the satellite towns through its licensees and other initiatives.
Responding to the request, NCC’s Director Human Capital and Administration, Usman Malah, who received the STDD’s delegation on behalf of the Commission’s Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said the Commission remains fully committed to ensuring synergy in its working relationship with other agencies of government.
Malah stated that the Commission acknowledged the importance of STDD mandates and it was conscious of the role NCC is supposed to play in ensuring ubiquitous access to telecoms services whether in the cities, unserved and underserved areas, under which the satellite towns may be categorised.
While thanking the delegation for the visit, Malah stated that their requests and propositions shall be presented to Management for consideration and necessary action.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Isa Haladu, the director, Planning, Research and Statistics Office of the Kano State Ministry of Health, has emerged as the co-chairperson, representing the government in the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM).
KANO FOCUS reports In a letter signed by Pharm Maimuna Yakubu, the Co-chair (CSOs) to Haladu, “the DPRS is recognized as the automatic Co-chairperson of KanSLAM.
“As a key player in this process, the DPRS’ office co-chairmanship will play an instrumental role in ensuring success of this partnership,” she said.
While officially presenting the letter to Haladu on Saturday at a KanSLAM review meeting at Joclarif Hotel in Zaria, Safiyanu Bichi a member of KanSLAM stated that Haladu’s emergence as the govt. co-chair will bring more development and opportunities for the SLAM.
In his remarks, the newly appointed government co-chairperson expressed his delight for being part of KanSLAM.
He stated that immediately he received the notification letter via email, he shared it with the Kano Commissioner of Health Dr Labaran Yusuf.
“I fully accept this responsibility and I am optimistic that this will facilitate in continuing the good work that KanSLAM has done in the past,” he said.
Haladu recalled how the SLAM transformed from Accountability Mechanism for Maternal and Child Healthcare in Kano State (AMMKaS) to KanSLAM, stressing that the SLAM is now enlarged and much more effective.
He added: “KanSLAM has contributed in the establishment of Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA), Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA), and Kano State Health Trust Fund (KHETFUND) and I believe more achievements are on the way.”
KanSLAM is a coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Civil Servants and Journalists advocating for improved service delivery in human capital development sectors.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Executive Vice Chairman of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida has joined the Board of Directors of TMT advocacy body of the International Institute of Communications(IIC).
KANO FOCUS reports that currently serving as the EVC/CEO at NCC, Dr Maida plays a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape. Under his leadership, the NCC continues to advance connectivity, foster innovation, and promote a competitive and inclusive telecommunications industry.
Dr Maida’s career includes significant contributions to leading global organizations such as British Telecom, Cisco Systems, and EE Ltd. He was also a pioneering engineering team member at UbiquiSys Ltd, a groundbreaking small-cell technology startup acquired by Cisco Systems in 2013.
Prior to his current role, Dr Maida was the Executive Director of Technology and Operations at the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems PLC (NIBSS). There, he spearheaded the modernization of Nigeria’s central digital payments infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a critical enabler of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Dr Maida holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath, an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship from the Cambridge Judge Business School.
••••Reaffirms Commitment to Press Freedom and Journalists’ Welfare
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has congratulated Comrade Alhassan Yahaya on his election as the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Comrade Yahaya emerged victorious at the 8th Triennial Delegates Conference held on Thursday in Owerri, Imo State.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf described the election of Comrade Yahaya and his team as a reflection of the trust and confidence reposed in them by journalists nationwide.
He called on the new leadership to promote inclusiveness, maintain the ethical standards of journalism, and focus on capacity-building initiatives to align with global best practices.
The governor emphasized the critical role of a free press as the Fourth Estate of the Realm in safeguarding democracy and advancing societal development.
He reiterated Kano State’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and safety of journalists, recognizing their vital contributions to informing and educating the public.
Governor Yusuf expressed optimism that the new NUJ leadership would steer the union toward transformative achievements that would strengthen the media industry for the benefit of the nation.
He also pledged his administration’s support in fostering a thriving and independent press.
The Kano State Government wished the new NUJ leadership a successful tenure filled with impactful milestones for the media professional.
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