Headlines
Kano sends engineers to Ogun on conversion of diesel, petrol engines to compressed natural gas

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

A team of engineers from Kano State has been sent to Ogun State to study pioneering the conversion of diesel and petrol engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
KANO FOCUS reports that the team, led by the Director of Transportation, Kano State Ministry of Transport, Engr. Mahmud Musa Sarki was in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on a mission to understudy the conversion process.
It would be recalled that the Ogun State government had embarked on the conversion to eliminate the effect of the recent removal of subsidy on fuel. The move will reduce the cost of transportation in the state and make living more comfortable.

Engr. Mahmud Musa Sarki with other members of the delegation
Speaking while inspecting some of the CNG-powered buses, Engr. Sarki said Ogun State is blazing the trail in the conversion to CNG and Kano State which also has the plan to do the same, thought it wise to understudy the process.
Sarki said Kano State has a lot to benefit from the visit to the Gateway State as his team has had first-hand experience and interaction with the experts handling the conversion process, adding that all of these would be useful when Kano wants to commence similar conversion process.
“I am thrilled by what we are seeing here, particularly the likely effect on the reduction of transport fare which the conversion would have on commuters when the vehicles begin to ply the roads.
“We are pleased to have this first hand experience and we will go back to our state to replicate same with a view to making living more abundant for an average Kano resident,” he said.
Addressing the team earlier, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Revenue Assurance, Mr. Oluseyi Ogunseye said it made more economic sense to run engines on gas rather than on diesel and petrol as it saves almost 40 percentage of funds that could be used for some other pressing needs while at the same time, provides a greener environment and reduces environmental pollution.
He commended the Kano State Government for sending its team of engineers to understudy the Ogun State model of the CNG conversion, assuring that Ogun State would always be willing to assist and share its varied experiences with any State that makes such request.
According to him, CNG should be encouraged and supported because it is lighter than air and in case of a leak disperses upward rather than pooling on the ground which would reduce the risk of fire outbreak.
Director, Vehicle Inspection Services in the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olugbenga Ademehin highlighted the core advantages of the CNG over other fueling substances.
He said that it is composed mainly of methane which is a primary component of natural gas.
Also speaking, Mr Millind Dekhole of NGTSL SPIRO, handlers of the conversion process, highlighted its advantages to include eco- friendliness, comparative reduced fuel consumption, non-toxicity which elongates the life span of engines among others.
He said the partnership with the Ogun State Government would facilitate the conversion of large number of vehicles to use CNG fuel, provide CNG kits and provide workspace infrastructure across the three senatorial districts of the State.
Highlight of the visit was a ride in one of the CNG-powered buses to different parts of the city.

Headlines
Gov Yusuf rejects tribunal judgement, heads to appeal court

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.

KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.

Headlines
Kano records 5,800 cases of Diphtheria – UNICEF

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.

Headlines
IPAC appeals to Kano governorship tribunal to be impartial

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.

A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
