News
FG pledges to complete Kano-Abuja road in record time
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has assured that President Bola Tinubu is determined to see the Kano-Kaduna-Abuja road completed in a record time.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 38km Kaduna-Abuja section of the road is estimated at the cost of N126, 562,444,943.93 billion.
Minister of Works, David Umahi set a target of 14 months for completion of the project.
The duo spoke when they visited the Kaduna end of the section.
David Umahi and Mohammed Idris
The Ministers were accompanied by the Special Assistant, Media to the President, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz and other senior management staff of the ministry of works.
Idris said the visit was to demonstrate government’s determination to end the politics relating to the road project because of its importance to the region.
He said: “The President is very determined to ensure this road from Abuja to Kano is completed in record time and if you listen to the minister he say it is for that reason and other reasons that there’s disagreement with Julius Berger that has said that it will still take them another three years to construct this road.
“This is not acceptable to government and the President say he cannot accept that. This road has to be completed in a time that is half of the duration that Julius Berger has proposed and that is why it is going to happen God’s willing within 14 months and that is why it was also broken into three segments for ease of construction.
” Nigerians, especially those who are applying this road are eager to see the completion of this road.”
He stressed that “delay of any kind would not be acceptable.”
He also commended the National Assembly for giving necessary support.
Kano-Kaduna-Abuja road
He was hopeful that with the cooperation of all stakeholders, “there will be no issues, and within 14 months we’re going to have brand new road flying from Abuja to Kano.
“Politics should be kept aside, there’s determination to complete this road and we’ll come back here. This is not a one-off thing, we’ll come here periodically with the honourable minister,” he stressed.
Umahi said he would be presenting a memo for approval for the re-award of the project to another firm at the next Federal Executive Council meeting.
He said the ministry has already received a “no objection from the Bureau for Public Procurement.”
He also explained the termination of the contract initially awarded to Julius Berger.
Umahi disclosed that the Julius Berger contract was terminated after a series of negotiations spanning over 12 months.
He said there was disagreement with the cost and also project duration.
Julius Berger, according to the Minister, was quoting a higher sum of over one trillion naira and a three year completion period.
He said: “As it stands, the project has been irrevocably terminated following due process and open for tendering to allow other contractors to bid.”
He said the ministry also invited Julius Berger to partake in the new bid with five other firms but the company failed to submit its bid.
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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