Headlines
NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa Bags ICT Personality of the Year Award 2021
Nasiru Yusuf
The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has been honoured with the “ICT Personality of the Year Award 2021.”
KANO FOCUS reports Abdullahi was honoured on Friday by the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR) at the end of a 3-day workshop on “Digital Journalism, Media Ethics and Responsible Reporting” at PRNigeria Centre Kano State.
The Cordinator of NADIR, Dahiru Lawal described Kashifu as a focused advocate of digital literacy and inclusions towards economic prosperity of Nigeria.
Lawan, an award-winning fact-checking specialist pointed out that under Kashifu’s watch, NITDA has achieved significant impact through the launch of programmes such as the Nigeria Digital Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Startup Policy (NDIESP), NITDA Digital Innovation Entrepreneurship Centre, and the state-of-the-art Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) among others.
In the citation, NADIR coordinator said: “NITDA has supported the establishment several IT hubs, innovation and incubation parks, IT community centres and IT capacity-building centres in higher institutions of learning, as well as in unserved and under-served communities across the country.
“In addition, the agency organized capacity building and entrepreneurship training programmes for thousands of artisans, Women, IT centres managers across the country. It also organized innovation contests such as Future-Hack, where participants receive funding and mentorship to develop marketable products and services.
“NITDA programmes have created employment for thousands of youth by supported hundreds of start-ups, IT hubs and ecosystem through Nigeria ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Vision (NIIEV). It also created Virtual Startup Clinic, for young people to meet with mentors, successful entrepreneurs, investors, industry specialists, business consultants and hub operators.
“The National Adopted Village for Smart Agriculture (NAVSA) and Massive Online Open Courses initiatives are two flagship projects of NITDA to transform the critical sectors of agricultural and tertiary education, as well as delivery of digital skills and literacy to Nigerians with distributions computers in promoting digital literacy. Through the clearance of IT projects of MDAs, NITDA has continued to save billions of Naira for the economy.
Meanwhile, the Digital Journalism workshop organised by Image Merchants Promotion Ltd (IMPR) in conjunction Penlight Centre for investigative Journalism was supported by NITDA and Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy.
IMPR is the Publishers of PRNigeria, Economic Confidential, Tech Digest, Politics Digest and other titles.
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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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
Gov. Yusuf to swear in Murtala Garo as Kano deputy governor Tuesday
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
