Headlines
Distributors decry cement price increase, as BUA adds N200
Nasiru Yusuf
Distributors and Customers in Kano state have expressed concern and dissatisfaction over the increase in the price of cement by BUA Cement Plc.
KANO FOCUS reports that the company has reportedly increased the ex-factory price of its cement product by N200, that is from N2,800 to N3,000 per bag over the weekend, a development that elicited fear in the minds of the people in the state, especially the end users.
BUA cement had in various statements issued between April 24 and June 18 this year, had refuted any claims of increase in the ex-factory price of its cement products by N300 per bag.
However, the recent development had indicated that the company had already increased N200 on a bag of a cement to distributors, causing fears that price of the commodity would soon skyrocket from its present N3,600 to N3, 800.
An investigation conducted in Kano on Wednesday indicated that both cement dealers and costumers are in panic that the increase in the price would add to the existing economic hardship.
A cement dealer in Kano, Musa Shehu, who sells cement at Sallari quarters, said he heard about the increase in the price of the commodity but it has not yet come down to the sellers.
According to him, a bag of cement is still sold at N3,550 and N3,600 so far, expressing fear that the increase would soon be effecttive.
He pointed out that the price increase is now at the level of distributors, adding that that it would come down to the retailers level and would negatively affect market.
Shehu stated that the increase in the price of the BUA cement by N200 would indeed inflict hardship on buyers and sellers, noting that the commodity is now available but if the stock runs out, the price increase would definitely be effective.
“Yes, we heard that the BUA cement company has increased N200 on the price of cement. But, for now, the price of the commodity is still N3,600.
” However, the price now has affected the major dealers but I’m sure it will come down to the retailers. We therefore call on the BUA management to review this decision and reverse the price because it would affect us, as customers will stop buying from us,” he said.
Another retailer, Auwalu Umar, noted that cement normally becomes available and cheaper during rainy season, especially in northern Nigeria, lamenting that the BUA cement company should not have increased the price in the wake of economic hardship.
“Let me tell you, if this increase is effected, i swear to God customers will stop patronizing it. If they stop, we are the one to be at a loss, not them.
“Considering the economic hardship Nigerians are experiencing, increasing the price of cement in this trying times is a bad idea. Let me use this opportunity to call on Alhaji Abdussamad to consider our plea and cancel this increase in price, otherwise, we will loose a number of customers,” he claimed.
On his part, a retailer, who pleaded for anonymity, lamented how BUA would increase the price of cement without considering the common Nigerians that buy the product for building.
According to him, the price increase would not stop at N200 at the distributors level, noting that it could go up to N4, 000 at the retailers level.
He noted that although the increase is not effected so far, but it will definitely go up when distributors run out of cement stock.
Reacting to the development, a major distributor of BUA cement in Kano, who preferred not to be mentioned, expressed anger over the development.
According to him, common citizens would be the ones to bear the brunt of the price increase, noting that retailers would also be affected as they might loose many customers.
The distributor wondered how BUA cement broke its promise it made months ago not to increase the price of the product, noting that the decision always affects end users.
“Ironically, the company arbitrarily increased the price without consulting distributors like us who are closer to the common citizens. BUA made promises that the company will not increase cement price, but it has now increased N200. This is a breach of business trust.
“My concern is that this decision always affect end users and when it affects end user, we too will also be affected.
” What baffles me is that, whenever these companies decided to increase a price of commodity, they will do it arbitrarily and will hardly reverse it,” he lamented.
The major distributor therefore called on federal government to intervene in order to end the suffering of Nigerians.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State on Tuesday rolled out the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and improve access to timely healthcare across the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, commended the governor for procuring 20 ambulances for the programme, describing the initiative as a strategic step to align the state with ongoing national emergency health interventions. He noted that a formal inauguration of the scheme would be held at a later date.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf
Dr. Yusuf said the ambulances would play a critical role in transporting pregnant women to hospitals during labour, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality. He added that any patient conveyed to a hospital through the scheme would have their transportation costs covered by the government.
He also called on members of the Guild of Medical Directors to support the initiative by procuring additional ambulances to complement government efforts.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf inspecting the ambulances
According to the commissioner, the vehicles are expected to respond to distress calls within the shortest possible time, ensuring prompt medical attention for residents in need.
Dr. Yusuf further stated that KN-SEMSAS would provide free, coordinated pre-hospital and emergency care services statewide. He described the establishment of the system as a major milestone in strengthening emergency medical response, reducing preventable deaths, and improving access to life-saving care for the people of Kano State.
The event was attended by the Director-General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency, Pharmacist Ghali Sule; the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KASCHMA), Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar; and the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Mahmoud Adamu Abbas.
Group Picture
Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of various stakeholders, including the Lafiya Project, the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), and the Kano State Fire Service, among others.
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BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
APC constitutes committees for Kano state congress
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
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