News
AFD Commits US$75 million to Kano City Urban Water Project
AFD Commits US$75 million to Kano City Urban Water Project
By: Michael Mike
The on-going Kano City Urban Water Project has received a funding commitment of US$75 million from the French Development Agency (AFD).
This according to a statement by the French Embassy in Nigeria, is to support the state improve Water Production, Distribution and Revenue Generation within Greater Kano.
According to the statement, In the presence of the New Managing Director of the Kano State Water Board, Engr. Garba Ahmed Bichi and the Country Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Nigeria, Mr Xavier Muron, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann visited some key infrastructures of the AFD-supported Urban Water project in Kano.
The statement read that the on-going Kano City Urban Water project being implemented by the Kano State Water Board (KnSWB) received a funding commitment of 75 million USD from AFD to support the State improve Water Production, Distribution and Revenue Generation within Greater Kano.
The statement listed the project development objectives to include: Improve access and quality of water service in KnSWB’s areas of operations; Improve the financial viability of KnSWB
3 Enhance the governance framework of the water sector in the State.
The French Ambassador while in Kano visited the location of the proposed new intake station located on river Challawa and the nearby Challawa 2nd & 3rd Water Treatment Plants.
It said “with its 63,500 planned connexions, this project will provide access to potable water to 1.5 million inhabitants in Kano, including women & children. The project will also expand the distribution network by 27,000 metric to bring water to new areas of Kano Municipal, Fagge, Nassarawa, Gwale and Dala Local governments.”
“This support from the French Development Agency, AFD, will greatly contribute to the betterment of the living conditions of the inhabitants of Kano city through the improvement of the drinking water service” the French Ambassador was quoted to have said at the site visit in Challawa.
On his part, the Managing Director of the KnSWB, commended the ongoing partnership between AFD and KnSWB, he explained that the technical and financial support provided by France to KnSWB through the AFD will enable the institution to improve services and quality of the water supply in the city of Kano as well as sustain the financial viability of KnSWB.
AFD Commits US$75 million to Kano City Urban Water Project
Crime
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
By: Zagazola Makama
A catastrophic fire has torn through the Kalari settlement in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, claiming three lives and displacing over 3,000 people. The blaze, which erupted at approximately 1:00 PM, engulfed three villages, reducing more than 1,500 thatched houses to ashes.
Zagazola Makama gathered that In response to the disaster, the military, along with the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF), mobilized swiftly to provide emergency assistance. Personnel from the 222 Battalion rendered first aid to the wounded and transported the injured to Maiduguri Specialist Hospital via Army ambulances.
The timely intervention of key local officials, including the Chairman of Konduga LGA, a Member of the House of Assembly, and the Commissioner for Environment, ensured immediate relief efforts for the affected families.
This incident comes on the heels of severe flooding that devastated Konduga LGA in September 2024, following the collapse of the Alau Dam. The flash floods from the dam’s collapse also affected Maiduguri and Jere LGAs, displacing an estimated 240,000 people. Many residents are still recovering from that catastrophe, and the latest fire disaster has further intensified the region’s humanitarian crisis.
An Official of SEMA, said the Borno State Government has made an urgent appeal for humanitarian aid to support the thousands affected by both the recent fire and previous flood disasters. Efforts are underway to provide shelter, food, and medical care to those impacted by these successive calamities.
BREAKING NEWS: 3 killed And 3,000 displaced as Devastating Fire Sweeps Through Kalari Settlement in Konduga, Borno State
Six Die in Taraba Boat Mishap, Nine Rescued
By: Zagazola Makama
A boat accident on the Jole River in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State has claimed six lives, while nine other passengers were rescued alive, the Taraba State Police Command has confirmed.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
According to police sources, the boat was conveying 15 people when it capsized midstream. Rescue efforts led to the recovery of nine survivors, while the bodies of six passengers were later pulled from the river.
The deceased have been identified as Dadi Mallam Dotti (30), Mubarak Abdu (21), Bappa Mallam Dotti (20), Adamu Yayagardi (30), and one Madugu (22), all from Badabdi, Funakaye LGA of Gombe State, of the Terawa ethnic group. The sixth victim was Umar Gambo (34), of Zaura Ward, Damban LGA, Bauchi State, of the Karakare ethnic group.
The boat driver is currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to locate him.
The police sources said that search and recovery operations were conducted in collaboration with local divers and community volunteers.
Six Die in Taraba Boat Mishap, Nine Rescued
Teenager Dies After Ritual Experiment by Native Doctor in Edo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Edo State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy, Okonkwo Obina Emmanuel, following a failed ritual performance in Iyamon Village, Illushi, Ubiaja.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported on April 2, 2025, by the deceased’s elder brother, Okonkwo Onyenbushi. According to the report, a self-acclaimed native doctor, Amechi Edozunor, in collaboration with one Kelvin Ugru, allegedly performed a charm ritual on the victim to make him “invulnerable to bottles.”
During the ritual, the suspects reportedly struck the boy’s head with a bottle in an attempt to prove the charm’s effectiveness, leading to a fatal head injury.
The victim was rushed to Wisdom Hospital and later referred to Ogbeide Hospital, where he died on April 5, 2025.
The sources said his remains have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy, while both suspects are currently in police custody pending further investigation.
Teenager Dies After Ritual Experiment by Native Doctor in Edo
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