Headlines
NAFDAC, PCN direct pharmaceuticals to stop supply to medicine dealers in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) have issued a joint warning to manufacturers, importers, company representatives, and distributors, instructing them to cease supplying pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other regulated medical products to facilities or companies in Niger Street, Sabon Gari market, Kano, or elsewhere outside the coordinated wholesale centre in Dangwauro, Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that this warning comes in the wake of a Federal High Court judgment last Friday, which ordered medicine dealers in Kano to vacate Niger Street/Sabon Gari market and relocate to the coordinated wholesale centre at Dangwauro.
According to the joint statement released by NAFDAC and PCN on Sunday, emphasized the need for proper distribution to prevent substandard and falsified medicines from circulating in the market. Companies found violating this directive risk losing site licenses and product licenses.
The court ruling dismissed a suit filed by the Nigerian Association of Patent Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), challenging their relocation to the coordinated wholesale market at Dangwauro economic city on the outskirts of Kano.
Justice Simon Amobeda held that the suit lacked merit, and the plaintiffs had no standing to challenge the relocation order by PCN, the body empowered to regulate their business. The court ruled that NAPPMED lacked the standing to institute the suit and emphasized that the relocation order is in line with proper regulation and distribution practices.
Ruling in the case which has lingered since February last year, Justice Amobeda held that the suit lackedmerit and the plaintiffs have no locus standi to challenge the relocation order by PCN, a body empowered to regulate their business. The court ruled that the suit is an abuse of court process as there has been an earlier case which the court decided on the 30th June 2023 in favour of the defendants.
Justice Amobeda ruled NAPPMED lacks the locus standing to institute the suit as it is not the body that can grant licence to wholesalers of pharmaceutical products. It deals mainly with over the counter sellers, the court ruled.
The court further ruled: “That the allegations of threatened arrest is unsubstantiated and vague.
“On whether the members cannot do business freely, the plaintiff and its members need to obey their parent body as there is no ploy to hamper their rights to trade.
“Whether the constitution is supreme to the PCN Act, the court held that the PCN Act is not in anyway in conflict with the provisions of the constitution. The question needs not arise as there is no provision that goes against the constitution.
“Whether the plaintiff is not entitled to the reliefs sought. The suit lacks merit. The suit was wholly dismissed.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
Ibrahim Khalil
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Aminu Dabo, has resigned as the party’s caucus chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area and withdrawn his membership of the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dabo, a former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), announced his resignation in a letter dated October 7, 2026, addressed to the APC chairman of Dambatta Gabas Ward.
In the letter, personally signed by him, Dabo said he took the decision after careful consideration of personal reasons and his future endeavours.
He confirmed his resignation during a telephone conversation from Abuja on Wednesday, saying he had formally submitted the letter to the appropriate party officials in Dambatta for necessary action.
“I remain grateful for the cordial relationship I enjoyed and appreciative of the experience gained during my time of service,” he said.
The former NPA managing director also thanked the party’s leadership for the opportunity and confidence reposed in him to contribute to its development and progress during his membership.
“I sincerely appreciate the support and opportunity I have received from the party leadership,” he added.
A statement issued by Abdullahi Othman, Media and Publicity Aide to Dabo Dabo, said the former NPA MD did not disclose further details about his reasons for leaving the APC in the resignation letter.
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