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Emir of Bichi praises Danbatta for impressive telecoms industry growth
Nasiru Yusuf
Emir of Bichi, Nasir Ado Bayero has commended the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Garba Danbatta, and the agency for “the sound leadership and regulatory focus propelling the growth of telecoms sector in Nigeria.”
Kano Focus reports that the Emir gave the commendations while receiving the Board of Commissioners of NCC, led by its Chairman, Adeolu Akande, as part of activities lined up by the Commission for its ongoing 2020 Board Retreat in Kano State.
The Emir particularly appreciated the NCC boss for ensuring effective regulatory initiatives are in place to achieve the successes recorded in the sector so far.
During the visit, Danbatta reeled out a number of statistics that showed clearly the impressive growth of the telecoms industry, especially in the last five years.
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Mr Danbatta pointed out that in the last five years, the NCC Management has built on earlier successes recorded, noting that broadband penetration moved from 6 percent to over 45.43 per cent; while sector’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP,) contribution rose from 8.5 percent to 14.30 per cent while active phone subscribers grew from 151 million to over 205.2 million.
Also, basic internet subscriptions also increased from 90 million to 151.5 million; teledensity now stands at 107.53 percent while investment in the sector has increased from $38 billion to over $70 billion currently.
Impressed by the statistics, the Emir noted that, as the regulatory authority of the communications industry in Nigeria responsible for creating an enabling environment for competition among operators in the industry, the Danbatta-led NCC has consistently ensured the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunications services throughout Nigeria.
The Emir acknowledged that over the years, the Commission has earned its reputation as the foremost telecoms regulatory agency in Africa; your Commission has also excelled in achieving its mandate of establishing an effective licensing and regulatory framework for the supply of communications services in Nigeria.
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According to him, in the course of executing its mandate, the Commission has been seen to be guided by the principles of fairness and forthrightness, which have been the underpinnings of the core values of your institution, while urging the Commission to ensure that it remains the topmost regulatory agency in Nigeria and Africa.
“We are sure that the successes recorded by the Commission are as a result of sound leadership, honesty, hard work and professionalism of Prof. Danbatta and we urge to him to continue to provide quality leadership and the necessary strategic policy directions to ensure that the communications industry achieves greater heights,” he said.
The monarch, who is the Chairman of 9Mobile, one of the telecom companies in the country, also tasked the Commission to sustain its practice of regulatory excellence, while commending the EVC for his efforts in ensuring that 9mobile did not collapse during a financial crisis few years ago.
He said the NCC’s intervention saved millions of Nigerians from being rendered jobless with the attendant consequences, adding that Danbatta’s “excellent leadership and untiring efforts to ensure that competition is not undermined in telecommunications industry are highly commendable.”
Members of the board, who accompanied the Chairman and the EVC to the palace include the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Ubale Maska; the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu, and Clement Baiye.
Others are: Millionaire Abowei, Aliyu Abubakar, Salman Muhammed and Uche Onwude.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Sports Commission has congratulated Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya on his redeployment as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
KANO FOCUS reports that the commission described the redeployment as a welcome development, reflecting the confidence reposed in Waiya’s leadership ability, administrative experience and commitment to public service.
In a statement issued on Saturday, by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Zulfa’at Abubakar Rano, the Chairman of the Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, expressed confidence that Waiya would bring his wealth of experience to bear on youth and sports development in the state.
Waiya was previously the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs before his redeployment in the minor cabinet reshuffle announced by the governor.
Babangida said the new commissioner’s experience in public service, communication, policy implementation and stakeholder engagement would contribute to advancing the ministry’s objectives and strengthening the sports sector.
He also pledged the commission’s readiness to collaborate with the ministry to promote grassroots sports, identify and nurture emerging talents, empower young people and improve Kano’s competitiveness in national and international sporting activities.
The chairman stressed that effective collaboration between the ministry and the commission would be crucial to achieving sustainable growth in the sports sector and creating more opportunities for youth participation and development.
He wished Waiya a successful tenure, expressing optimism that his appointment would bring innovation and further progress to youth and sports development in Kano State.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
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