Headlines
Raids on Dangote group inimical to growth of economy – ACF
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Arewa Consultative Forum, Kano State chapter, has described the raid of the premises Dangote headquarters and those of other 51 big business establishments by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC as capable of discouraging foreign investors who are already showing signs of reluctance to bring in their money into the country.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ACF calls on the Federal Government to devise amicable ways of making our top business establishments to make greater contributions to our economic growth; and halt the raids, as the nation struggles hard to attract foreign investment and other key ingredients to redeem the economy.
The call was contained in a statement issued by the publicity secretary of the ACF Alhaji Bello Sani Galadanchi on Tuesday.
The statement recalled that “On 1st January 2024, operatives of the EFCC stormed the Head Office of the Dangote Group at Ikoyi, Lagos. The search was linked with the probe of 52 companies by the anti- graft agency over forex transaction in the last 10 years. Prior to the visit/ raid, Dangote Group had sought clarification on why certain documents were demanded, but this proved abortive. They also requested additional time to “compile and properly present the required extensive documentation”. Neither the clarification, nor the extension were granted.
“On January 4 EFCC personnel descended on Dangote Head Office demanding same documents the company’s officials had already brought to the premises of the anti- graft police.
“The raid of the premises Dangote Headquarters and those of other 51 big business establishments by the EFCC is capable of discouraging foreign investors who are already showing signs of reluctance to bring in their money into the country.”
The statement noted that ” the Arewa Consultative Forum, Kano State chapter, and the good people of Kano are apprehensive about the raid on Dangote because we see it as an unhealthy development that could further worsen our economic situation, scare investors, and hinder Nigeria’s growth prospects.
“The move would further exacerbate our current difficult situation and deter potential investment. We can not but agree with the position advanced by no less one of the most respected members of the National Assembly who reacted thus: ”
It added that “Given our current fragile economic situation, this move by the EFCC will worsen things. Now is not the time for this; it is the time for the nation to focus on the integration of African economies and the expansion of trade and investments across the continent to stimulate growth and create employment opportunities, not conducting raid on its largest conglomerate.
“Dangote’s impact for decades has been felt through various facets of our economy. The company played a crucial role in transforming our economy from heavy import dependence to a net exporter in critical industries.
“ACF reaffirms that no one individual, group or institutions are above the laws of the Land. Our position is that if any of the companies under the Dangote seal, or among the remaining 51 affected companies under probe, violated any of our laws, appropriate sanctions should be applied. In the more advanced economies, that is what obtains. For instance, at various times Microsoft, Beta, BP and several business concerns had been fined by the US government for infractions committed.”
The ACF recalled that “Recently, P&G and few other conglomerates left Nigeria. Aliko Dangote is one of the most patriotic businessmen who had chosen to invest in Nigeria. There are several equally very rich people who kept their resources in portfolio investments, real estate and other endeavours in foreign lands at the expense of Nigeria.
“We should celebrate Dangote and all our local big companies for their doggedness, persistence and unwavering commitment to bolster the Nigerian economy.
To this end, the ACF calls on the Federal Government to devise amicable ways of making top business establishments to make greater contributions to economic growth; and halt the raids, as the nation struggles hard to attract foreign investment and other key ingredients to redeem the economy.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has announced that his administration is set to initiate a housing scheme to provide decent and affordable shelter for workers in the state under the National Housing Fund Scheme.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made this disclosure during the International Workers’ Day celebrations held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, on May 1, 2024.
Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the Governor explained that the state government is ready to provide land for the construction of the houses as soon as stakeholders involved in the process conclude discussions.
In a press statement issued to newsmen by the Deputy Governor’s Spokesperson, Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, Governor Yusuf proudly declared Kano as the ancestral home of May Day in Nigeria, while assuring his administration’s commitment to pursuing policies and programs that motivate the working class to render quality service for the development of the state.
He highlighted several achievements of his administration, including:
– Prompt payment of salaries and pensions
– Release of Six billion Naira for settlement of workers’ Gratuities
– Renovation of offices
– Resumption/payment of monthly operational funds across government agencies
– Resumption of regular promotions
– Recruitment of fresh workers
– Screening and confirmation of 10,000 workers out of 13,000 employed by the previous administration
– Provision of 5 trucks of 25kg rice to civil servants as a Ramadan gesture to cushion the pain of global economic hardship
– Provision of sustainable basket funds for workers’ capacity building
– Provision of a sickbay at Audu Bako Secretariat for the well-being of workers and their families
While maintaining that his administration had accorded priority to the development of education, agriculture, and healthcare, among other services, the Governor appealed to workers to reciprocate the gesture through commitment and dedication to duty.
Earlier in his remarks, the state NLC Chairman, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, congratulated the Governor on his victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his election.
Comrade Inuwa, however, stressed that the NLC needs timely intervention on the issue of the backlog of unremitted pension contributions by some organizations, with a staggering accumulation of over 75 billion as of May 2023, which poses a serious threat to the financial security of retirees.
He also requested that the payment of wage awards, which were only paid once, needs to be revisited, saying that workers rely on the awards to improve their standard of living, and that a consistent payment schedule shall be established to safeguard their welfare.
Comrade Inuwa emphasized the need to constitute a Governing Board for the state pension contributory scheme, implementation of local government autonomy, and reintroduction of vehicle loans for civil servants, among other demands.
Headlines
Kano Commission of inquiry on recovery of public assets set to hold inaugural sitting Monday
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The judicial commission of inquiry on public properties and assets established by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State to probe the previous administration led by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has scheduled its inaugural session for Monday, 29th April 2024.
The commission’s secretary, Salisu Mustapha, said this in a letter addressed to the Director General Media and Publicity on Saturday.
Mustapha specified that the session will take place at High Court No. 3 within the Audu Bako Secretariat.
Earlier this month, Governor Yusuf inaugurated two judicial commissions of inquiry (JCI) to investigate instances of misappropriation of public properties and assets, political violence, and missing persons between 2015 and 2023.
During the inauguration of the JCI members, Governor Yusuf pledged to hold accountable anyone found culpable, emphasizing his commitment to uncovering and prosecuting those responsible for political violence in the state before and during previous elections.
The governor urged the Commission to thoroughly investigate cases of misappropriated public properties and assets during the tenure of immediate past administration.
He instructed the commission members to uphold their integrity, remain true to their oath, and serve the people of Kano State by ensuring justice is served. Governor Yusuf clarified that the initiative was not politically motivated or directed at any individual but rather a response to the mandate of the people of Kano State.
You may recalled that credible Justices of the State High Courts, Farouq Lawan Adamu and Zuwaira Yusuf a long with other eminent personalities were selected and appointed as chairmen and members of the two commissions of inquiry respectively.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Media practitioners in Nigeria have been urged to set media agenda on salient issues around women’s health in order to bring some of their challenges on the front burner for stakeholders.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Center for Communication and Social Impact CCSI made the call in Kaduna during a one day training organised for Kano based journalists on media advocacy for women’s health with support from the Pathfinder International.
Oluyemi Abodunrin, the CCSI Technical Advisor, Programme, while delivering his lecture on the role of the media in improving women’s health, said journalists need to always explore available data in their reportage.
“You don’t just use data percentage; you need to operationalize the data by putting human angle to the figures especially on women’s health to raise awareness about their challenges.” He said.
Abodunrin said this could be simply achieved by initiating women’s health related topical issues to hold people in power accountable through investigative journalism and fair and balanced reporting.
He advised the health journalists to also use their reports to combat stigma against women’s health, promoting diversity and always ensuring accuracy and balance reports.
According to him, there should be a paradigm shift in the media contents which mostly focus on politics and economy by also prioritizing other compelling health issues and women’s health in particular.
Also speaking, Beevan Magoni, one of the facilitators, identified gender imbalance, stereotype and lack of diversity in health journalism among others editorial issues in reporting women’s health in the country.
Magoni outlined some of the challenges in covering sensitive women’s health topics to include limited representation, narrow focus and lack of training for health reporters.
He however, harped on the importance of intersectionality in women’s health coverage and the need for journalists to be ethical by respecting the women’s privacy, seeking consent and being empathetic in their reportage.
On her part, Mrs. Toyin Akande, the CCSI Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, delved on the existing policies for women’s health planning in Kano State that could enhance reports of the health reporters.
The policies, according to her, include Health Sector Task Shifting and Sharing Policy (TSSP), Family Planning Policy and Kano State Health Financing Policy.
Others are Kano State Action Plan for Health Security (KSAPHS), Free Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Policy, Policy on Building Capacity of Healthcare Providers.
In her earlier remark, Dr. Sekina Amin Bello, Senior Technical Advisor, Pathfinder Nigeria said journalists were expected to facilitate visibility of the women’s health project in Kano on their respective platforms.
Dr Bello noted that the one year project focuses on the key challenges affecting women’s health in Nigeria including high maternal mortality rate and limited access to healthcare and poverty.
She noted that the project was aimed at identifying factors that contribute to good health outcomes for women in Kano and using the AFP SMART approach to develop advocacy strategies for improvement of their health.
The participants were selected from members of Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) and other journalists practicing in Kano state.
KanSLAM is a coalition of Civil Society, Media and Government Officials which serves as an accountability, advocacy, evidence & transparency mechanism in Kano State, Nigeria.
May Day: Kano State Government to Launch Housing Scheme for Workers
Dangote cement export of clinker, cement increase by 87.2%
Kano Commission of inquiry on recovery of public assets set to hold inaugural sitting Monday
NGO tasks Kano journalists to prioritise women’s health reporting
Gov Yusuf mourns second republic reps member, Alhaji Sidi Ali
Kano APC spokesperson accuses Presidency of sabotaging Ganduje
Kano students beg Gov Yusuf to settle their tuition fee
Kano Assembly screens, confirms Mustapha Kwankwaso, 3 others as commissioners
Umar Bin Al-Khattab’s leadership: A lesson to today’s leaders
