Headlines
Kano rank high as best performing SME State – Report
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
According to the FATE Institute State of Entrepreneurship (SoE) 2023 report, many businesses and entrepreneurs in the country are badly affected by Federal overnment policies.
KANO FOCUS reports that in the last one year, entrepreneurs have been faced with high cost of doing business, occasioned by the fuel scarcity, fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate reforms, poor power supply, among other factors.
Amid these challenges, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Borno and Bayelsa have come out top as the best performing SMEs states in SoE 2023 report.
The SoE 2023 report, published by The FATE Institute, the Research, Policy and Advocacy division of FATE Foundation examines the performance of Nano, Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (NMSMEs) in the last one year in Nigeria and how these businesses have fared in relation to business growth, job creation, adoption of technology and across different lenses – age of entrepreneurs, gender, and size of businesses, etc.
Executive Director, FATE Foundation, Adenike Adeyemi while speaking at a press briefing to announce its Ninth Entrepreneurship Policy Dialogue Series said Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Borno and Bayelsa, were the five best performing states in NMSMEs.
“In this year’s performance across sub-nationals ranking, the five best performing states are Kano, Kogi, Kaduna, Borno and Bayelsa.
“Specifically for Kano, the state scored the highest in three pillars – business performance, innovation and technology adoption and enabling business environments related to other states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
She further said that 17 states and the FCT did relatively better compared to other states, while 19n states declined as stated in the SoE report.
“At the bottom, Yobe, Niger, Taraba, Osun and Zamfara had the least scores. Overall, relative to last year, 19 states declined while 17 states and the FCT improved their rankings.”
This year’s report covered 10,377 businesses across the 36 states and the FCT. The FATE Institute also held Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders to gauge their experience and perception of the business environment and the performance of NMSMEs across sectors and states in Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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