NEWS
Katsina Govt Spends N7.6bn on Provision of Electricity

The Katsina Government has spent N7,6 billion for various power supply-related projects across the state, with particular focus on renewable energy solutions.Malam Faruq Lawal-Jobe, the state Deputy Governor, made this known while addressing newsmen in Katsina on the achievements of Gov.
Dikko Radda’s administration.Among the key projects highlighted is the provision of 74km of solar street lighting in Katsina metropolis and the provision of 11km of solar street lights from Al-Qalam University Roundabout to Darma Rice Mill, Katsina. “In an effort to provide a sustainable power solution to critical facilities of government, viable mini-grid solar-powered projects are ongoing at General Hospital Katsina, Government House and State Secretariat Complex at the cost of N3,8billion,” Lawal-Jobe said.Lawal-Jobe pointed out that several other power projects were also carried out in communities across the state.The projects, he said, include the supply and installation of transformers, cables, repairs of equipment and routine maintenance.Others, he said, are the change of power supply from ‘Yan Albasa, Eka, Kadandani to Kuraye covering 17km in order to restore electricity supply in Charanchi Local Government.Others are the protection and aesthetics of security lighting system through the construction of Japarana Concrete Technology in the Median Strips of Ring Road Phase I ‘A’ and ‘B’ in Katsina metropolis.He also mentioed the repairs of vandalised electrification projects from Iyatawa, Cikakoshi, Mahuta and Remawa, covering eight kilometres high tension line to restore electricity supply at Iyatawa ward in Rimi Local Government Area.Others are the award of contract for the Digital Mapping of Power Lines and GPS locations of all line materials/transformers procured by the state government.”He further listed the projects as the replacement of the 33KV breakers and accessories to restore power supply at Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina.The deputy governor declared that Gov. Radda remained committed to expanding electricity access in rural areas to stimulate economic activities and improve the living standard of our people. (NAN)Foreign News
Huawei to Launch 1st HarmonyOS-Powered PCs on May 19

Chinese tech giant Huawei on Thursday said that the first line of its personal computers (PCs) powered by HarmonyOS operating system would be launched on May 19.
The upcoming release would mark a significant expansion of Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem, which already powers its smartphones and tablets.
By launching computers equipped with the country’s first homegrown operating system for the general public, Huawei seeks to challenge the long-standing dominance of Microsoft’s Windows and Apple’s macOS in the PC market.
Huawei’s HarmonyOS-powered computers are the result of five years of research and development.
The company emphasised that the system incorporates strong security features, including a dedicated security chip for encryption, secure access mechanisms and encrypted data sharing.
“The new computers would enable seamless interaction across Huawei devices, allowing users to control and move between the screens of their phones, tablets and computers with a keyboard and mouse.
“HarmonyOS-powered computers support connectivity with over 1,000 external devices and currently have more than 150 dedicated PC applications and over 300 ecosystem-compatible applications,” it said.
HarmonyOS, or Hongmeng in Chinese, is an open-source operating system designed for various devices and scenarios, including intelligent screens, tablets, wearables and cars.
It was first launched in August 2019.
Analysts said that Huawei would have to work harder to attract users in the initial periods, as the mainstream Windows and macOS operating systems offer more mature applications. (Xinhua/NAN)
General News
VON DG Seeks Partnership With NGE to Fight Fake News, Misinformation

The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, has sought for partnership with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to fight against fake news, misinformation and to project the interest of Nigeria.
Ndace spoke in Abuja on Wednesday, in his welcome remarks to some members of the Guild who were in the VON premises for a meeting.
According to him, it is the responsibility of VON to correct all negative perceptions and deliberate falsehood about Nigeria and Africa by foreign media.
“Interestly, the NGE shares similar role with VON. Like VON, the Guild also has had to contend with other news services. It is important and imperative to take seriously its gate keeping function.
“VON and the Guild must work together to ensure we carry out our mandates free from ethnocentric or religious bias, but always in the interest of the country.
“We therefore seek to partner with the Guild in this respect, particularly to ensure that we curb the menace of fake news by always being ahead whenever the news breaks.
“And also, to respond timely to counter purveyors of fake news. We would happily serve as a source of contents in areas you determine relevant to your mandate,” Ndace said.
The VON boss further explained that his agency would work diligently to make sure every Nigerian feels the impact of the government by tracking the pace of service delivery across all sectors.
Speaking earlier, a member of the NGE team, Mr Adebayo Bodunrin, said the Guild members usually hold periodic meetings in the zone, and the one being held in the VON office was one of such, ahead of the forthcoming National Convention of the editors’ professional body.
“Today, NGE has what I would call a friendly constitution that satisfies the yearnings and aspirations of its members.
“Thank you for hosting us and we can assure you that we are not like a political party. We usually don’t have rancorous meetings. Our meetings are friendly,” Bodunirin said. (NAN)
NEWS
KASU ASUU Strike Unnecessary – Students

A group of students under the auspices of Concerned Kaduna State Students, says the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),Kaduna State University (KASU), is unnecessary.In a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna by the group’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Yunus Haruna, the students expressed disappointment over the support of other Students’ leaders for the strike.
Haruna decried that the students’ leaders were being used by some agents against their lecturers who were fighting for the collective good of members and students. “The KASU-ASUU strike is unnecessary.“However, the decision to embark on the strike was reached after exhausting all industrial options and the failure of the government to honor agreements,”he said.Haruna said the agreements not honoured by the government included the non-payment of withheld salaries from May to September 2022.Others included the non-payment of earned academic allowances from 2016 to date, promotion arrears, and pension funds from 2009 to 2019.“Other issues included non-payment of group life assurance and violation of university autonomy, among others,” he said.Haruna urged the government to immediately address the contentious issues.He also called on the civil societies to prevail on Gov. Uba Sani to address the crisis, prioritise the welfare of the lecturers and the academic future of the students.“Education is a social right, not a privilege, so addressing the lecturers’ legitimate demands is necessary for the future of Kaduna State“The integrity of the educational institutions must be protected and the government should prioritise quality education and the welfare of university lecturers,”he said.(NAN)