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FG to transform Kano’s Wudil livestock market into West Africa’s model hub
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to transform the Wudil Livestock Market in Kano State into an international-standard livestock hub that will serve as a model for modern livestock trade across West Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during an inspection of key livestock facilities in Kano State on Friday, saying the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector and strengthen the entire livestock value chain.
Maiha described the Wudil Livestock Market as a strategic national asset because of its commercial significance and regional influence, noting that about 130 trucks loaded with livestock, each carrying at least 35 cattle, pass through the market every week.
According to him, the market is already one of the busiest livestock trading centres in Northern Nigeria, making it an ideal location for the establishment of a world-class livestock exchange.
He, however, observed that despite its economic importance, the market is hampered by poor infrastructure, inadequate sanitation, weak veterinary services, the absence of modern slaughtering facilities, lack of loading bays and insufficient regulatory controls.
“Wudil is a strategic national asset. However, the environmental and operational gaps are significant. Our goal is to redesign this market and reposition it into a modern, permanent livestock exchange hub that operates daily and meets international standards,” the minister said.
Maiha said the proposed reforms would shift the livestock industry from dependence on live animal trading to a value-added system driven by feedlots and modern abattoirs.
He noted that cattle lose an average of 25 kilograms during transportation, describing the weight loss as avoidable economic waste that the government intends to eliminate through improved livestock management and processing.
The minister explained that the upgraded market would feature organised animal pens, separate holding areas for different species, veterinary quarantine and inspection units, administrative offices, banking facilities, security posts, hospitality services and designated commercial areas.
He added that the facility would be fully fenced and operated under a regulated entry and transaction system where livestock would be registered, weighed and tracked to improve transparency, accountability and revenue generation.
Speaking during the visit, the Kano State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and capable of transforming livestock trade in the state.
He said the Kano State Government had embraced the proposal and was committed to partnering with the Federal Government to develop Wudil into a model livestock market for Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
According to the commissioner, the project aligns with the state’s agricultural modernisation agenda and is expected to enhance internally generated revenue, improve livestock management and increase trade efficiency.
As part of the inspection tour, the minister also visited selected feedlots in Wudil and the Wudil Milk Collection Centre, where he held discussions with stakeholders on strengthening dairy aggregation and expanding integration across the livestock value chain.
He also toured the Samal Integrated Farm, where the management briefed him on the farm’s operations and discussed strategies for its future expansion.
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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