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Northern Business Leaders Hail Dangote’s Inclusion on Time’s 2026 Influential List
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Business leaders across northern Nigeria have praised Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, following his inclusion as the only Nigerian on Time Magazine’s 2026 list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
KANO FOCUS reports that the President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Farouk Suleiman, described the recognition as a source of pride for Nigeria and the African continent.
“This distinction is not only a personal milestone for Mr. Dangote but also a moment of pride for Nigeria and Africa,” he said, adding that the businessman’s journey reflects a strong commitment to industrialisation, economic transformation, and self-reliance.
Suleiman noted that Dangote’s influence is rooted in his role in developing large-scale industries that have reduced Nigeria’s reliance on imports while creating thousands of jobs. He also described him as a pillar of KADCCIMA, highlighting his company’s continued sponsorship of trade fairs that sustain the chamber’s annual events.
Also speaking, a leader of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Kano/Jigawa, Nura Madugu, said Dangote’s investments across sectors such as cement, petrochemicals, and agriculture have transformed critical areas of the economy and strengthened Nigeria’s standing in regional and global markets.
“His ability to execute ambitious projects, particularly in challenging environments, demonstrates visionary leadership and an unwavering belief in Africa’s potential,” Madugu said.
He added that Dangote’s philanthropic efforts further justify the global recognition, noting his sustained interventions in health, education, and humanitarian support across the continent.
“For us at MAN, his recognition serves as an inspiration to the private sector, reinforcing the importance of enterprise, resilience, and nation-building,” he added.
In a similar vein, the Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Agabaidu Jideani, described the honour as a testament to Dangote’s entrepreneurial achievements and the rising global influence of African business leaders.
“As a distinguished member of the chamber, Dangote exemplifies the transformative power of private enterprise in driving economic growth, industrialisation, and sustainable development,” he said.
Jideani further noted that through the Dangote Group, the businessman has reshaped key sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, and infrastructure, while reducing import dependence and boosting local production capacity.
He also highlighted Dangote’s contributions through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, particularly in health and human development initiatives such as polio eradication efforts.
“The ACCI is proud to be associated with Dangote and remains committed to supporting policies that enable businesses to thrive and contribute meaningfully to development,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of Small-Scale Industrialists, Nasarawa State chapter, Nidan Sambo Manasseh, said Dangote’s selection was well deserved, citing his transformative role in advancing industrialisation.
He said Dangote’s investments in manufacturing, cement production, and refining have reduced import dependency while promoting local capacity development.
“His business model demonstrates that indigenous enterprises can compete globally, offering a powerful example to small and medium-scale industrialists,” Manasseh said.
He added that Dangote’s commitment to philanthropy and social impact continues to uplift communities and promote inclusive growth.
The NASSI chairman urged Nigerian industrialists, particularly at the grassroots level, to draw inspiration from Dangote’s legacy of enterprise, innovation, and national development.
Suspect returned to Kano to face investigation, prosecution
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested a suspected gang leader and sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 27-year-old suspect, from Yelwa in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, is accused of sponsoring violent gang clashes that have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in parts of the state.
The task force disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested following intelligence-led operations after allegedly fleeing Kano as security operations against gang violence intensified.
According to the statement, operatives tracked him to Port Harcourt and arrested him in an operation led by the task force’s Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe. He has since been returned to Kano.
The task force alleged that Malam Keya played a leading role in orchestrating and financing hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Dala and other affected communities.
The areas reportedly affected by the gang violence include Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama, Kukar Bulukiya, Dala, Shatsari and Dandalin Turawa.
Confirming the arrest, the task force chairman, Barr Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, said the operation demonstrated the agency’s determination to pursue suspected sponsors of violence beyond Kano State.
“Let me assure you that those who bankroll violence should know that no distance, and no hiding place, will protect them. This arrest is only the beginning. We will not rest until peace is fully restored,” he said.
The task force said the suspect remained in custody for further investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the investigation.
It added that its operations would continue in accordance with the law, with all suspects entitled to due process.
The agency also pledged to sustain efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, identify their alleged sponsors and disrupt drug supply networks linked to criminal activities.
It urged residents, community and religious leaders, parents and youths to support security efforts by reporting suspicious persons and activities, monitoring their neighbourhoods and discouraging young people from being recruited into criminal gangs.
The task force described public cooperation as essential to restoring peace and security across the state.
It also acknowledged the support of the Kano and Rivers state police commands and other law enforcement agencies in the operation.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KASSTOWA) has strengthened security at Joda Waterworks to prevent vandalism, theft and unauthorised access to the facility.
KANO FOCUS reports that the agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, following an assessment visit to the waterworks by its interim managing director to evaluate the security situation.
According to the statement, additional security personnel have been deployed to protect the facility and ensure uninterrupted water supply.
The agency said the measure was part of efforts to safeguard critical water infrastructure and protect public assets from potential threats.
It added that the intervention aligned with the commitment of the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to protecting government facilities and ensuring the delivery of essential services, in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Water Resources.
KASSTOWA also emphasised the importance of inter-agency collaboration in strengthening infrastructure protection.
The agency called on community leaders, traditional institutions, youth organisations and residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and cooperate with security personnel deployed to the facility.
It stressed that protecting water infrastructure was a shared responsibility requiring the cooperation of government agencies and host communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping plot in Gezawa Local Government Area and arrested two 20-year-old suspects over threats to abduct a village head.
KANO FOCUS reports that the suspects, identified as Aliyu Naziru Garba and Bashir Alhasan, were arrested following intelligence-led operations by police operatives attached to the Gezawa Divisional Police Headquarters.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
According to the statement, the incident was reported on October 26, 2026, at about 1:30 a.m. by the village head of Bangare, Mallam Idris, who told the police that he had received a threatening phone call from an unidentified person on October 24 at about 9:33 p.m.
The caller allegedly threatened to kidnap him.
Following the report, police operatives launched a follow-up operation, which led to the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime,” the statement said, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Gezawa Division for their swift and professional response.
Bakori reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance on criminal activities and said the operation aligned with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises intelligence-led and technology-driven policing, professionalism and proactive crime prevention.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station.
The command also provided the following emergency contact numbers for reporting security concerns: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
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