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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has awarded contracts worth over ₦23.1 billion for the construction of 49 new junior and senior secondary schools across the state’s 44 local government areas under the AGILE Project.
KANO FOCUS reports that the development, approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is aimed at strengthening educational infrastructure and improving access to quality education across the state.
The contract signing ceremony was held on Friday, where contractors received official approval documents to commence work on the projects in their respective locations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam.
According to the statement, the schools to be constructed under the AGILE Project comprise both Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS), strategically distributed across the state to address infrastructural deficits in the education sector.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Makoda, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, reiterated the administration’s commitment to revitalising the education sector and creating a conducive learning environment for students.
He said the initiative would significantly reduce classroom congestion, expand access to education, and improve teaching and learning conditions in schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the AGILE Project is part of broader efforts by the Kano State Government to enhance educational development, particularly in improving infrastructure and supporting increased school enrollment and retention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Society for Family Health has appointed Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf as Group Director, Impact Partnership and Engagement, as well as Managing Director of RevoHealth HMO Ltd., in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare access and sustainable health systems across Nigeria and Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced on the organisation’s official Facebook page on Saturday.
According to SFH, the new leadership appointment signals the beginning of a fresh phase focused on improving impact, expanding access to healthcare services, and advancing sustainable health transformation initiatives across the continent.
The organisation stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to building integrated health systems and promoting innovative platforms in healthcare financing, workforce development, advisory services, and sustainable health interventions.
SFH expressed confidence that Yusuf’s leadership would further strengthen the organisation’s impact and deliver lasting value to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Yusuf is a seasoned public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in the design and implementation of public health, social marketing, and health systems strengthening programmes in Nigeria.
He is widely recognised as a health systems expert, health economist, programme management specialist, and community engagement practitioner, with extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, malaria, child survival, and nutrition interventions.
He has also built strong technical expertise across the family planning and maternal, newborn and child health continuum, while leading large and complex teams on multiple development programmes.
Yusuf possesses strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, having worked closely with senior government officials, lawmakers, and influential traditional and religious leaders to drive institutional and behavioural changes that support effective programme implementation.
A seasoned trainer, Yusuf has trained various cadres of health professionals and is known for his practical expertise in participatory community engagement approaches.
He holds a degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Health Economics from Bayero University Kano, as well as an MSc in Microbiology from University of Abuja.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
AGILE Project: Kano awards ₦23.1bn contract for construction of 49 new secondary schools
SFH appoints Dayyabu Yusuf to lead strategic health partnerships, RevoHealth HMO
Kwankwaso commends IGP over probe into Dadiyata’s disappearance
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