Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Kano State Police Command has arrested five persons over the alleged unauthorised administration and sale of locally made herbal medicine at a church premises in Kano, warning individuals and organisations against conducting medical outreaches without regulatory approval.

KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.

According to the statement, operatives of the 52 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Chalawa, intercepted six men on August 4 at the ECWA Church located behind the 52 PMF Base in Challawa, following complaints from residents and public outcry over the activity.

The police identified the group’s leader as **Simon Gbaaondo**, 50, from Karu in Nasarawa State.

The suspects were alleged to have been administering unverified locally made medicine free of charge and offering it for sale to large numbers of residents from Panshekara and surrounding communities without approval from the relevant health regulatory authorities.

The police also invited the individual who hosted the group at the church to assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the exercise.

The case was initially reported at the Panshekara Police Division before being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where five of the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, cautioned members of the public against administering drugs, herbal medicines or conducting medical outreach programmes without authorisation from the Kano State Government, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and other relevant health authorities.

The police said such activities pose serious public health and security risks, particularly when they attract large crowds.

The command urged residents to report any suspicious medical outreach or distribution of unverified medicines to the nearest police station, assuring the public of its commitment to safeguarding lives and maintaining public order.

Police said further details on the investigation would be made available as the case progresses.

Ibrahim Khalil

Former Kano State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) for speaking out on the country’s worsening socio-economic and security challenges.

KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, described the bishops’ intervention as an act of courage and patriotism, saying their concerns reflected the realities confronting millions of Nigerians.

He said the issues raised by the Catholic bishops, including the rising cost of living, worsening insecurity, declining public confidence and widespread hardship, were neither partisan nor isolated.

According to him, the concerns mirror the daily experiences of ordinary Nigerians across all parts of the country.

Kwankwaso noted that despite Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources, many citizens continue to grapple with economic hardship, unemployment, insecurity, poor access to quality education and healthcare, as well as diminishing opportunities.

He stressed that the country’s challenges require urgent, sincere and people-centred responses from leaders at all levels.

The former presidential candidate also urged Nigerians to continue engaging the Federal Government and other public office holders constructively whenever the opportunity arises.

He said citizens should continue to advocate for good governance, accountability and policies that prioritise the security, welfare and prosperity of the people.

“It is through such collective commitment and responsible leadership that we can build a more peaceful, united and prosperous Nigeria,” Kwankwaso said.

He concluded by praying for peace, unity and progress in the country.

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has entered into a partnership with the Enugu State Government to strengthen digital skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship through the operational lease of its Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre in the state.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, announced the development on Tuesday, saying the collaboration was aimed at expanding digital opportunities and preparing Nigerians for an increasingly technology-driven economy.

According to Maida, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, automation and digital technologies has made investment in digital skills as important as investment in digital infrastructure.

He said the partnership formalised the operational lease of the NCC’s Digital Industrial Park and Learning Centre in Enugu to the state government.

Maida explained that the facilities were established to serve as hubs for innovation, entrepreneurship and human capital development, with the goal of equipping young people with digital skills, supporting startups, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities.

He added that the initiative would also position Nigeria as a competitive destination for business process outsourcing (BPO), knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) and other technology-enabled services.

“Buildings alone do not create innovation. People do. Ideas do. Entrepreneurs do. Partnerships bring all these elements together,” he said.

The NCC boss expressed confidence that the facilities, once fully operational under the Enugu State Government, would enable young people to acquire 21st-century skills, help entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses and connect local enterprises to opportunities within and outside the state.

He noted that the collaboration aligns with the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda and supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the goal of building a one-trillion-dollar economy driven by productivity, innovation and private sector growth.

Maida reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting initiatives that expand access to digital opportunities, strengthen human capital development and ensure that communities across the country benefit from Nigeria’s digital transformation.