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NCC’s Maida honoured for contributions to telecoms industry growth, regulatory excellence
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has been recognised for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the telecoms sector of the country’s economy.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dr. Maida received the award at the celebration of the 31st Anniversary of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), held in Lagos recently.
The event also featured presentation of awards to other individuals and institutions that have contributed to the growth of telecoms industry in the West African country.
The EVC/CEO of NCC was a Special Guest during the ATCON event, which many regarded as a veritable forum to take stock of the sector’s journey thus far, and recognise telecoms industry leaders.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, October 2023, had appointed Dr. Maida to succeed Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as the new EVC/CEO to steer the ship of the foremost telecoms regulatory Commission in the West African country.
Speaking on his deserving recognition at the gathering in Lagos, Maida acknowledged the relevance of the telecoms industry and its contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Commission affirmed despite the apparent challenges in the country’s economy in the course of the outgoing year, there were lots of transformation in the industry which is a sign of growth.
He equally assured the stakeholders, that the Commission is working towards addressing issues associated with the telecoms industry.
In consonance with his avowed leadership style, Dr. Maida as the Chief Telecoms Regulator in Nigeria, has focused on activating his “consumer-centricity” leadership philosophy as the plank of the Commission’s regulatory affairs cum excellence.
According to him, this approach fundamentally, is aimed at ensuring the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and other service providers continue to optimise their Quality of Service (QoS), ensure fairness and transparency in Short Messaging Service (SMS), voice and data plans to enhance consumers’ Quality of Experience (QoE) in the telecoms space.
Maida, at diverse fora since his assumption of duty as the EVC/CEO of NCC, has consistently stressed the need for the regulator to work with network operators to deliberately improve service quality, enhance telecoms consumer experience, stating that “excellent service delivery is a necessity” in Nigerian telecoms industry.
In the heat of the Telcos’ hard-pressed clamour for data, voice and SMS tariff increments for consumers, the NCC Chief yet urged telecoms operators to rather focus on improving their service quality towards evolving a healthier, more trustworthy, and consumer-centric telecoms environment, and explore “other innovative measures” rather than tariff hikes for telecoms subscribers in the ecosystem.
Again, in his recent Keynote Speech delivered at the 93rd Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP), in Abuja, FCT, he restated the Commission’s goal of attaining a “consumer-centric telecoms industry” that emphasises the need for service providers to boost consumers’ Quality of Experience, ensure fairness and transparency in service tariffs.
“Our goal is to create a truly consumer-centric telecoms industry, in which consumers feel valued, informed, empowered, and satisfied with the services they receive,” Dr. Maida asserted.
Earlier in his welcome address on the occasion, Mr. Tony Emoekpere, President of ATCON, had commended the Association’s past leaders, members, and other industry stakeholders for their tireless efforts at shaping the Nigerian telecommunications industry.
Emoekpere also averred that ATCON has been at the forefront of advocating private sector participation, fair competition and infrastructure development in the telecommunications sector of the economy, agency report said.
He also assured the Association would continue to collaborate with other stakeholders to position the country as a leading digital economy on the African continent.
ATCON, he noted, will also advocate policies that foster innovation and investment, drive infrastructure development to bridge connectivity gaps and collaborate across public and private sectors.
The highpoint of the event featured other awards, including lifetime achievement awardees, the launch of “100 Leading Personalities in Nigerian Telecoms”, and the Best-Performing Governor in Digital Transformation, carted by Godwin Obaseki, immediate past Governor of Edo State.
Several industry stakeholders, including telecoms operators, regulators, associations, and others attended the event.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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