News
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed renowned public health expert, Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi, as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse and related social vices across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with civil society organisations, public health professionals and other stakeholders in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans by the state government to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring swift justice, strengthening law enforcement and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s extensive experience in public health policy, social protection and community development would enhance the effectiveness of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Kano.
Dr. Magashi is the President of the Africa Health Budget Network and a respected civil society advocate with decades of experience in healthcare, public policy and community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the task force, Governor Yusuf also approved the inclusion of a representative of the Kano State Sharia Commission in its membership to ensure that its activities conform with Islamic guidance.
The state government said the latest measures form part of broader efforts to address drug abuse, improve public safety and protect communities from the social and economic consequences of substance abuse.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on conventional and social media practitioners to promote factual reporting, patriotism and active citizen participation as part of efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen public trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the maiden Arewa Media Summit held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Governor Yusuf as saying that the media must remain committed to truth, bridge generational divides, amplify the voices of the people and encourage responsible civic engagement.
He described the theme of the summit, Government, Citizens’ Accord, Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, accountability and public confidence through ethical journalism.
According to the governor, responsible journalism and access to credible information are critical to national development and the successful implementation of government policies and reforms.
Governor Yusuf said his administration has continued to support media development by protecting press freedom and creating an enabling environment for journalism to thrive.
He listed the establishment of Northern Nigeria’s first Online Media Chapel, sponsorship of information officers for registration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the registration of journalists with the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB) among the state’s achievements in advancing professional journalism.
The governor also commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for strengthening information management across the country, and praised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for promoting professionalism and ethical journalism through the summit.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the future of Northern Nigeria depends not only on investments in infrastructure and agriculture but also on credible journalism, responsible communication and effective storytelling.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the summit was organised to promote accuracy, fairness and professionalism in reporting government activities while strengthening the relationship between government, citizens and the media.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Governor Yusuf’s sustained investment in the training and retraining of media practitioners has enhanced journalism practice in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the summit attracted the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, ministers, lawmakers, academics, media professionals and participants from across Northern Nigeria.
News
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has introduced a free emergency medical treatment programme that provides eligible patients with lifesaving care for the first 48 hours at designated hospitals across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative, being implemented through the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) under the Ministry of Health, is designed to ensure that victims of medical emergencies receive prompt treatment without financial barriers.
According to information released by the state government, the scheme covers children under the age of five, including newborns with emergency conditions, road traffic accident victims, gunshot injuries, snakebite cases, drowning incidents, fire-related injuries, building collapse victims, communal clash casualties and other weapon-related injuries.
The programme also includes obstetric and neonatal emergency referrals from Kano State’s 18 MAMII local government areas through the SaveMAMA referral system.
Under the initiative, emergency treatment is provided free of charge for the first 48 hours at accredited Emergency Medical Treatment Centres (EMTCs) across the state.
The government advised patients or their relatives to contact the KN-SEMSAS Emergency Call Centre before or immediately upon arrival at an accredited hospital to obtain an authorisation code, while stressing that emergency treatment should not be delayed while the code is being processed.
Residents were urged to use the national toll-free emergency line 112 or the state’s dedicated emergency numbers 09019999920 and 09049999914 to request ambulance services and access the programme.
The accredited hospitals participating in the scheme include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH), Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, MDS Hospital, Zak Clinic, MGK Hospital and Khadijat Memorial Hospital.
The state government said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving medical services for residents.
It called on members of the public to take advantage of the programme and share information about the emergency treatment scheme to enable more residents to benefit from the free services.
Gov. Yusuf appoints Dr. Aminu Magashi co-chair of Kano anti-drug abuse task force
Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
K-SAFE hails Gov. Yusuf as Kano tops ECOWAS education spending ranking
Abdulaziz unveils project inspection initiative, trains APC social media inflluencers at Arewa media summit
Kano ranks best in ECOWAS on education spending index
Kano recruits over 16,000 teachers, begins 10-year education reform plan
Kano emerges top beneficiary as World Bank rewards states with $27m for reforms
Kano delegation participates in international labour conference in Geneva
