News
Kano COVID-19 test centre to resume operation Monday–Health Minister
Nasiru Yusuf
The National Centre For Disease Control (NCDC)’s COVID-19 testing centre in Kano will resume operation on Monday 27 April, 2020.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this on Sunday during an interview on Channels television’s Sunday politics focused on COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria, monitored by KANO FOCUS.
Mr Ehanire said: “The testing centre should be back on stream tomorrow (Monday 27 April, 2020) because the team has gone in there from NCDC. (They) must have arrived there today ( Sunday). And they should be able to resume screening,” he said.
Speaking on the mysterious deaths in Kano, the Minister explained that a delegation will be sent to the state to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unusual loss of lives there.
“The death pattern there does not appeared what will be normal case for a period of time. But the fact finding mission will be able to help us to diagnose what the situation is. Is not really clear they are coronavirus or COVID-19 related.
“We are really treating it like special case, and looking more specifically at processes and what actually happened in detail. Kano has not had much of an experience of coronavirus and rapidity (so the situation) is a source of concern. It is possible to go to contain it, if the right processes are follow and the right processes are brought in,” the minister said.
On Saturday, head of the COVID-19 testing centre in Kano, Nasiru Magaji, had told Kano Focus that there was no definite date for resuming the test in Kano.
KANO FOCUS had last Wednesday, reported that a member of Kano Task Force on COVID-19, Isa Abubakar, said the NCDC/AKTH COVID-19 testing centre in Kano suspended its operation due to shortage of testing kits.
On Thursday, Mr Ehanire said the centre was temporarily closed because some staff of the laboratory were reportedly infected with COVID-19.
He also added that the centre ran short of some testing reagents.
The NCDC on Sunday announced 91 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and none was reported from Kano possibly due to lack of testing facility.
The state however, recorded dozens of deaths on Saturday and Sunday.
Among the dead were five professors, a former Grand Khadi, a former state chairman of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), former commissioner of education, and a former editor of the state-owned Triumph newspapers.
Governor Ganduje had last week dismissed the reports of mysterious deaths in the state as “fake news.”
However in a dramatic turn on Sunday, the governor acknowledged recent deaths in the state, blaming the situation on complications from malaria, diabetes, hypertension and meningitis.
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Board (ART) of the Republic of Cameroon, Philemon Zoo Zame, on Wednesday visited the headquarters of the [Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja for a benchmarking exercise aimed at strengthening regulatory collaboration and knowledge sharing between both countries.
KANO FOCUS reports that during the visit, the Cameroonian telecom regulator met with the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Aminu Maida.
A statement issued by Ayiabari A. Kigbara, Manager, Media Relations, Public Affairs Department of the NCC, said the engagement focused on exchanging ideas and best practices in telecommunications regulation, with emphasis on enhancing efficiency and development within the sector.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Kwankwaso commends IGP over probe into Dadiyata’s disappearance
Cameroon telecom regulator visits NCC for benchmarking exercise
Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
