News
Tricycles ban: Sha’aban faults Kano Govt
Nasiru Yusuf
The Gubernatorial Candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP), and member representing Kano Municipal federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada has criticized the ban of tricycle operators on major roads by Kano state government.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sharada made the statement in a release made available to journalists by gubernatorial campaign council spokesperson Abbas Yushau Yusuf.
Sharada said at a time when the government is supposed to come up with an idea of addressing youth restiveness and diverting their attention from commiting crime and drug abuse in Nigeria’s most populous state, instead it has decided to choose the path of persecution.
Sharada, who is the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Intelligence and National Security, sympathized with commuters and tricycle operators over the hardships being inflicted on them by the government.
He said even though the transportation system in Kano State is in urgent need of a total overhaul, the manner in which the current administration is going about it signals an absolute disregard for the livelihood and welfare of the good people of Kano State.
“This measure will subject pregnant women, schoolchildren, and hardworking citizens to unwarranted trekking, leading to the loss of productivity or even lives.”
“In addition, it will retard the economic well-being of the tricycle owners, operators, repairers, oil and spare part merchants, as well as the millions of Kano people who eke out a living from the operation of the tricycles.” He added.
The ADP gubernatorial candidate blamed the Kano state government for pursuing policies that forced the populace to rely on tricycles in the first place.
“Such policies include the deliberate disregard for metropolitan roads as well as the uncontrolled allocation of parking spaces that makes car owners prefer the tricycles over their own vehicles.”
He said the government should have brought out a plan that will alleviate the sufferings of commuters and engage the tricycle value chain in economic activities that will replace their lost earnings.
Sharada calls on Kano State citizens to vote for the ADP in the forthcoming election in order to usher in a government that will carry stakeholders along in each and every decision.
“We in the ADP have an integrated transport management plan for Kano State, which will be presented to all stakeholders for their consideration and review.”
“We will also ensure that all stakeholders are engaged in the successful execution of all the policies of our government.” He added. Honourable Sha’aban Ibrahim Sharada further asked the state government some pressing questions regarding the ban.
According to him, despite government claims of bringing in new buses, what has the government done to cushion the effect of restricting tricycle riders on every Road? And again, the government did not tell us the number of buses to be used on every Road or where they are going to stop after picking people up?
Sharada said “there is also a special lane for mass transit operators in developed countries when they pick up and drop off passengers, noting that how many bus stops has the Kano government constructed for that purpose?
“Will the buses meet the demands of the passengers as obtained in countries where they use mass transit, hence his description of the policy as “untimely”?
The governorship hopeful added that when policies like this are introduced, the government should tell the general public the number of passengers the buses are supposed to contain, the timing of picking up and dropping off, as well as the price of the tickets. The modalities of buying the tickets and when to buy the tickets.
He corroborated how many passengers the buses will contain from Janguza to Rjiyar Zaki to Tal Udu and challenged the government to answer the questions put forward by him.
He said timing is very important—when to buy the tickets for boarding and other essential services the buses are supposed to offer?
He further described the policy as dictatorial, where the state government has left the decision in the hands of a few people, noting that policies are made by government for the well-being of the populace.
He noted that in advanced countries of the world, there is an announcement of when the buses will arrive at the bus stop so that passengers are put on alert.
Sharada said the government came up with the policy without proper stakeholder engagement and public enlightenment, thereby restricting the tricycle operators at this material time.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced measures aimed at protecting smaller telecommunications operators from unfair competition by larger industry players through the release of a draft Business Rules framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
KANO FOCUS reports that the Commission has also invited operators and other stakeholders to submit comments and recommendations on the proposed regulations before their final adoption.
According to the NCC, the draft framework is designed to prevent dominant Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) from using pricing strategies or operational delays to frustrate smaller operators and virtual network providers operating within the telecommunications sector.
The Commission noted that the proposed rules would promote fair competition, protect the interests of emerging operators, and strengthen operational standards across the industry.
As part of its stakeholder engagement process, the NCC has requested industry participants and interested parties to submit feedback on the draft framework on or before June 29, 2026.
The Commission also announced plans to hold a public consultation forum on July 9, 2026, where stakeholders’ submissions and recommendations will be reviewed and considered before the final implementation of the rules.
According to the NCC, the new regulations are intended to create a level playing field for all operators, encourage healthy competition, and accelerate growth within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
Key provisions of the proposed framework include strict onboarding timelines, fair pricing mechanisms, revenue-sharing arrangements, and mandatory compliance requirements for telecommunications operators.
Under the draft rules, host network operators will be required to acknowledge MVNO connection requests within 10 days and provide feedback on technical readiness within 20 days.
The framework further stipulates that all technical and commercial agreements between host operators and MVNOs must be concluded within 120 days to prevent unnecessary delays in market entry and operations.
To ensure equitable participation in the market, the NCC has also proposed benchmark pricing structures covering data services, voice calls, SMS, and USSD services.
The Commission believes the pricing model will help prevent dominant operators from engaging in anti-competitive practices that could force smaller virtual operators out of the market.
In addition, the proposed regulations introduce a tiered operational framework that clearly defines the scope, responsibilities, and operational boundaries of different categories of operators within the telecommunications ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders are expected to make further contributions to the framework before its final adoption by the Commission.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Tsakuwa community honours teacher, Nupe man, nine others for development efforts
NCC moves to protect smaller telecom operators, releases draft MVNO business rules
Kano health journalists launch Network to strengthen health reporting, advocacy
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