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ACF begins Dangote Refinery IPO sensitisation campaign in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State chapter of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has commenced a sensitisation and guidance programme to educate residents on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery Initial Public Offering (IPO).
KANO FOCUS reports that the campaign, which began on Saturday at the ACF secretariat at AHIP House, Maiduguri Road, Kano, is targeting residents, cooperative societies, traders, civil servants and other prospective investors.
Speaking at the programme, Chairman of the ACF Kano State chapter, Dr Goni Faruk Umar, said the initiative was designed to ensure that residents of Kano and the wider northern region were adequately informed about the share offer and the procedures for participating in it.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar
He said the intervention was also aimed at helping prospective investors avoid misinformation and fraudulent channels while making decisions about the investment.
“True, generational wealth is preserved when we become equity owners in essential, structural assets that produce what people consume every single day,” Dr Umar said.
He cited the reported performance of other companies associated with the Dangote Group, including Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Dangote Cement Plc, as examples of long-term investment opportunities.
According to him, Dangote Sugar Refinery has paid more than N170 billion in cumulative dividends to shareholders since its listing in 2007, while Dangote Cement has distributed more than N3.3 trillion in dividends over the past 15 years.
Dr Umar said the ACF would continue providing information and technical assistance to prospective investors throughout the subscription period.
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He said licensed stockbrokers and banking partners had been brought into the programme to assist participants with the subscription process, including Bank Verification Number (BVN) validation and applications through digital and physical banking channels.
The ACF chairman also disclosed that he had personally provided financial assistance to about 60 former classmates to enable them to participate in the share offer.
He urged households to consider long-term investment options for their children, while cautioning prospective investors to rely on verified information and legitimate channels.
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Dr Umar also addressed concerns circulating on social media regarding the refinery’s financial performance. He dismissed claims that the refinery was operating at a loss, citing figures which he said showed substantial revenue and profit.
He said the refinery generated $1.82 billion in the first six months of the year, while its revenue reportedly increased from N9.38 trillion in 2024 to N18.74 trillion in 2025.
He further claimed that the refinery recorded N2.5 trillion in profit after tax during the half-year period.
“So, anyone saying the refinery is running at a loss is simply spreading falsehood,” he said.
The ACF urged prospective investors to study the offer documents and use authorised channels when subscribing to the IPO, rather than relying on unverified information circulating on social media.
The forum said its sensitisation campaign would continue across Kano to provide prospective investors with information on the subscription process before the offer closes.
Some participants said the sensitisation programme had helped address concerns they initially had about the investment.
One of the investors, Sa’a Umar, said she registered through the ACF arrangement after receiving information about the process.
“I came to register here at the ACF office and we pray to benefit. Investment is important, and we encourage others to come here instead of trying elsewhere and making mistakes,” she said.
Another participant, Iliya Ado, said the programme had helped him better understand the process.
“People may not know where to go, or they may be discouraged, but the system is working. I appreciate the early work of the forum. It is a very good initiative for the development of people through investments,” he said.
The sensitisation exercise comes amid interest in the Dangote Refinery IPO, which is being presented as an opportunity for Nigerians to acquire equity in the privately owned refinery.
Ibrahim Khalil
Former Kano State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has ruled out withdrawing from the presidential race in favour of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing its campaign team of engaging in unnecessary attacks against him, presidential candidate Peter Obi and their party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso stated this in a post on his Facebook account on Saturday, insisting that the NDC presidential ticket remained committed to contesting the election and offering Nigerians an alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He accused the ADC Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) of attempting to create the impression that the NDC ticket was working for the ruling party or planning to withdraw from the race at the last minute in favour of the ADC candidate.
“The attacks directed at me, our presidential candidate His Excellency Peter Obi, and our party, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are unnecessary and unhelpful,” he said.
According to Kwankwaso, political parties should concentrate on presenting their candidates’ competence, credibility and capacity to Nigerians rather than attacking their opponents.
He argued that the ADC campaign team would be better served responding to allegations reportedly levelled against its candidate by Vice-President Kashim Shettima instead of targeting the NDC leadership.
Kwankwaso also warned that the ADC campaign might attempt to mislead NDC supporters shortly before the election by claiming that his party intended to withdraw in favour of its candidate.
“Let me state clearly and unequivocally: we will not withdraw our candidature for the ADC or any other party. We remain confident in our capacity, competence, and readiness to lead Nigeria,” he declared.
He further denied any alliance with the APC, stressing that the NDC ticket, which he referred to as the “OK ticket,” was neither working for the ruling party nor acting on behalf of any of its candidates.
The former governor maintained that there was no reason for the NDC to abandon the presidential contest, describing reports suggesting otherwise as unfounded.
Assessing the political alternatives available to Nigerians, Kwankwaso criticised the APC-led government, saying it had failed the country, while arguing that the ADC did not offer a better alternative.
He described the NDC ticket as a credible and viable option, citing its record, capacity and support across Northern and Southern Nigeria.
According to him, the ticket is committed to promoting national unity and addressing major challenges confronting the country, including insecurity, education, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and economic development.
Kwankwaso also described the NDC as the country’s most formidable and viable opposition party, urging supporters and Nigerians sympathetic to its cause to remain committed to its electoral success.
He concluded his message with the slogan, “Nigeria will be OK.”
Kidnapped victim freed unharmed in Falgore Forest
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Police Command has reported the killing of two suspected bandits and the recovery of N10 million ransom following the rescue of a kidnapped victim in Falgore Forest, Doguwa Local Government Area of the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, when three suspected bandits allegedly emerged from the forest to collect the ransom demanded for the release of a 45-year-old man, Kabiru Aliyu, of Falgore village.
Aliyu was reportedly kidnapped on September 11, 2026, and had spent days in captivity before his abductors secured the N10 million ransom.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the victim was released unharmed after the suspects collected the money.
However, the suspects were reportedly ambushed by local hunters, popularly known as Yan Bula, while returning to their hideout in Falgore Forest.
The police said two of the suspected bandits were killed during the encounter, while the third escaped with injuries.
The entire N10 million ransom was recovered intact from the deceased suspects, according to the statement.
Preliminary investigations identified one of the suspects as Dogo Isah, a commercial motorcycle operator from Maigwanda village in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the local hunters for their efforts in complementing the police-led Operation Kukan Kura in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the Falgore Forest axis.
Bakori also directed the Area Commander, divisional police officers and tactical teams operating in the area to intensify searches to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover any weapons used by the gang.
The police said the rescued victim had been debriefed, medically examined and reunited with his family.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.
The statement was signed by CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, Police Public Relations Officer, Kano State Police Command, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
Nura Abdullahi
The Senior Special Reporters and Special Reporters, SSR/SR Forum has accepted the apology tendered by the Kano State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Wing, Hon. Salisu Yahaya Hotoro, following discussions over his earlier remarks.
KANO FOCUS reports that Amir Abdullahi Kima, Chairman of the SSR/SR Forum, announced the decision in a statement published on his Facebook account on Saturday.
According to Kima, the decision followed a meeting between representatives of the forum, Hotoro and other stakeholders in media-related affairs, during which the APC youth leader apologised for his remarks.
He said Hotoro had also published an apology on his Facebook page.
Kima explained that the forum subsequently convened a special meeting on October 18, 2026, to deliberate on the matter and hear the views of its members before agreeing to accept the apology.
“The forum has accepted the apology tendered by Hon. Salisu Yahaya Hotoro. This means the matter has been laid to rest, paving the way for continued peace, mutual understanding and unity,” the statement said.
The forum urged its members, supporters and well-wishers to exercise restraint and allow the matter to rest, warning against actions that could create division or misunderstanding among stakeholders.
It reaffirmed its commitment to unity and peaceful engagement, as well as its continued efforts to publicise the programmes and activities of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The forum said its activities would continue to be guided by mutual respect, peace and understanding.
Kima also expressed appreciation to individuals who contributed to resolving the disagreement, commending their efforts in facilitating an amicable settlement.
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ACF begins Dangote Refinery IPO sensitisation campaign in Kano
