News
Dangote promises to support Kano government to cushion effects of hardship
The richest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote promised to support social policies and human development initiatives of the Kano State government aimed at ameliorating the economic burden in the state.
The industrialist and President, Dangote Group, on Friday, paid a visit to Kano State, amid rising cost of essential commodities.
Dangote who is also an indegene of the State had closed-door meetings with Governor Abba Yusuf, top government officials and other stakeholders in the state.
This is coming after the state government lamented worsening hunger and poverty in Kano owing to the prevailing harsh economic realities.
The governor’s Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature, in a statement said Dangote who acknowledged that the common man could hardly survive the current harsh economic situation in the country, promised to support the government to improve the health and education sector and at the same time, empower the less privileged in the state.
“We are here first of all to congratulate you (Governor Yusuf) on your victory at the Supreme Court. I want to assure you of our support throughout your administration, maybe not only four years but eight years.”
“Kano is home even though I was addressed as the richest black man but you can address me as a Kano indigene. I am your subject and you can always call on me for cooperation to see how do we develop Kano.
“And going forward, we really need to see how we can develop areas of health, education, empowerment; how do we assist the government because the government cannot do it alone,” Dangote was quoted to have said.
Governor Yusuf in his response, solicited the support of the oil magnate for the establishment of an independent power plant in the state.
He said Kano desperately needs the establishment of a sickle cell hospital to provide free medication for the patients.
Yusuf pleaded with the business tycoon for the completion of the gigantic projects initiated by Dangote Foundation which include Accident and Emergency ward, Surgical and Theatre complex and maternity/ pediatric building all in Murtala Muhamnad Specialists Hospital.
“That is why I am using the opportunity to solicit and appeal for a lot from you to the people of the state.
“I want to make a passionate appeal to you to extend your hands of assistance by completing the gigantic projects initiated by your foundation which include Accident and Emergency ward, Surgical and Theatre complex and maternity/ Pediatric building all in Murtala Muhamnad Specialists Hospital,” the governor said.
Dangoted had landed at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) at 11am and was received by Chief of Staff to the Governor, Shehu Sagagi, and other top government functionaries.
Former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Professor Tom Adaba, has passed away at the age of 84.
According to reports, he died peacefully on Saturday in Abuja.
Chief Adinoyi Joe Anivasa, Secretary of the Egbira Elders Forum, confirmed the news, stating, “I feel sad to inform you that our elder and leader, Prof. Tom A. Adaba, has answered the call of nature this morning. Further details about his burial arrangements will be communicated later.”
Born on July 2, 1941, Prof. Adaba made significant contributions to Nigeria’s broadcasting industry. Between 1988 and 1992, he became the first Nigerian to serve as President of the African Council for Communication Education.
Despite calls for suspension from the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Nigeria Police Force, the Osun State local government election proceeded as scheduled on Saturday.
Governor Ademola Adeleke voted in Ede North Local Government Area, describing the process as peaceful and urging residents to exercise their franchise.
The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, cited a Court of Appeal ruling allegedly reinstating sacked local government chairmen, while the police warned of potential security threats.
However, the Osun State government insisted on holding the election, emphasizing its commitment to obeying a court directive. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) boycotted the polls.
Voting took place under tight security, with minimal commercial activity observed in Osogbo, the state capital.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Commissioner for Information, Jonathan Vatsa, has indicated that Firmer President Muhammadu Buhari’s absence at the public presentation of former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, The Journey of Service, held in Abuja on Thursday was not surprising.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Vatsa suggested that Buhari’s no-show was a result of unresolved bitterness over the 1985 coup, in which Babangida overthrew him and subsequently detained him.
According to Vatsa, Buhari may still harbor resentment, especially over being denied the chance to bid his late mother farewell while in detention.
“It Would Have Been the 9th Wonder of the World If Buhari Had Attended”
Vatsa claimed that Buhari’s absence was expected, given the deep-seated history between the two former leaders.
“The memory of the ‘mother of all betrayals’ has not left him. It would have been the ninth wonder of the world if Buhari had attended that book launch,” he said.
The APC chieftain also linked Buhari’s perceived neglect of Niger State during his eight-year presidency to his history with Babangida.
“The whole world knows that Niger State was made a scapegoat by Buhari because of IBB. For eight years, he did not pay any serious official visit to the state, and not a single federal project was executed here. The Baro Port project was abandoned, and federal roads across the state were left in disrepair,” Vatsa alleged.
He claimed that despite the overwhelming votes Buhari received from Niger State in 2015 and 2019, the state was sidelined due to the personal history between the former presidents.
“When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Niger State paid for the sin of one man,” he lamented.
When asked for his opinion on the contents of IBB’s autobiography, Vatsa said he would reserve his comments until he has read and digested the book fully.
“There are certain things I expected to see in the book. Once I am done reading, I will invite you all for my comments,” he stated.
The book launch attracted several high-profile attendees, including President Bola Tinubu, former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and Yakubu Gowon, as well as former military head of state Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Other dignitaries included former Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo, former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and ex-vice presidents Atiku Abubakar, Yemi Osinbajo, and Namadi Sambo, alongside traditional rulers and state governors.
Buhari’s absence, however, remained a major talking point, reinforcing speculations that the 1985 coup remains a sore point in Nigeria’s political history.
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