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We must utilize the power of ICT to contain insurgency–Dambatta
Nasiru Yusuf
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Dambatta has said that Nigeria must utilize and appropriately deploy telecoms and ICT resources in the fight against insurgency and to contain other emergencies.
He affirmed that empirical knowledge of what ICT can do in tackling numerous challenges explained the commission’s insistence on compliance by all stakeholders to the guidelines governing SIM registration, and why NCC had been upbeat in getting the Emergency Communication Centres (ECC) ready all over the country as directed by the Federal Government.
Prof. Dambatta stated this on Wednesday at the Conference Room of NCC Head Office during the induction of the commission into the membership of Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA).
The NCC Vice Chairman was represented at the forum by Bassey Uket, a Principal Manager at the Commission’s Special Duties Department.
Mr Dambatta recalled the collaboration between NCC and the security and other emergency response agencies especially at the ECCs and suggest that many of the multi-faceted challenges can be addressed with scaling up the degree of deployment of electronic strategies.
To underscore the imperative of electronic and digital communication systems in managing the nation’s security challenges, Mr Dambatta stated that “as we are addressing the situation in one part of the country, you find escalation in another part of the country.”
He also gave an example of the 112 Emergency Communication Numbers, which are routed to the ECCs, as “a practical implementation of a security system that is bringing succour to citizens in distress”.
The NCC Chief Executive added that he was gratified that there is an increasing “interface between citizens who are in distressed security situation and virtually all security and other emergency response agencies connected to it”.
Mr Dambatta described the ECCs as a well-conceived project. It is a project that has enhanced the capacity of agencies in the security governance sector to manage crises. He informed the audience that the Centres are well-equipped to address the purpose for which they were established.
He said 18 of the Centres, which are located in state capitals, have been completed and he assured that with support of the Federal Government “we are not going to stop. We would like to express our commitment to continue with the remaining 18. We would not rest on our oars until all other 18 are fully functional because the ECC have started attracting attention” and are quite central to the management of security in the country.
He emphasised that the ECCs have become a success story today because of the commitment of the Federal Government and the culture of dedication to continuity of strategic national projects by successive leadership of the Commission.
Earlier, Oluwatoyin Asaju, Director, Special Duties at NCC said FOSSRA, which was established 6 years ago by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has performed well in coordinating public information activities of security and emergency response agencies and has helped to improve inter-agency collaboration.
He said the induction of NCC into the forum is a testimony to the Commission’s strides in this regard and also the visionary leadership of the Prof. Danbatta.
He recalled the nature of operation and kind of facilities at the ECCs and urged Nigerians to use the Toll-Free 3-Digit Emergency Communication Numbers 112 to get help in times of security challenges.
Brigadier Onyema Nwachukwu, Director, Defence Information and Chairman of FOSSRA told the participants at the meeting that crisis is not peculiar to Nigeria and the present escalating trend speaks to emergent global culture where non-state actors resort to violence to express grievances.
He said agencies in the security sector are working all-round-the-clock to improve the nation’s security situation.
The FOSSRA’s role according to him is to bring the public to speed on the activities of the security forces. He affirmed that other issues needed to be addressed for the physical security provided by the armed forces to have better impact.
“One of these issues is national mobilisation of the mass media around the issues of security. Therefore, developing a national networking strategy of all stakeholders is important to address other challenges just as the challenge of inter-agency cooperation and collaboration among the security forces had been addressed.”
Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), the Executive Secretary of Crisis Communication Centre (CCC), also spoke about the efforts of FOSSRA in rallying information and communication stakeholders to ensure appropriate crisis communication management.
Commodore Anas expressed the gratitude of the Centre and other partners to NCC for the vital roles the Commission had played in enhancing the management of the Nation’s security communication programmes.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of hope for graduates left stranded due to the previous administration’s negligence regarding academic certificates.
His determination to rectify these injustices has culminated in decisive actions to secure the future of Kano’s youth. Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, shared these developments with the media.
On December 9, 2024, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus with a mission to obtain the overdue academic certificates for Kano students affected by the prior administration’s failure to meet its educational financial obligations.
During a critical meeting with the management of Near East University, the governor focused on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in essential fields like Medicine and Nursing.
This was confirmed by Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor’s spokesperson.
In a significant move, Governor Yusuf has settled the outstanding fees of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university for 84 medical and2015 to 2019.
This substantial financial commitment honors the dedication and hard work of these graduates, restoring their hopes for a future that had previously been unjustly delayed.
According to Ibrahim Adam, the certificates are set to be handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, marking a pivotal moment for the affected students.
Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges faced by the graduates, declaring, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.”
His vision for a prosperous Kano is centered on prioritizing education, ensuring that talented individuals can make valuable contributions to the state’s advancement.
The governor’s proactive measures not only address the systemic issues in the education sector but also inspire renewed hope among Kano’s youth.
By fulfilling his promises, he emphasizes the crucial role of supporting young people in achieving their aspirations, which is vital to the state’s growth.
As this milestone is celebrated, it is evident that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s relentless pursuit of educational reform signals a transformative era for Kano State.
His administration’s unwavering focus on education stands as a vital investment in the futures of individuals and the overall development of the state.
Under his leadership, Kano State is poised to realize its full potential, with eager graduates ready to make impactful contributions to their communities.
Governor Yusuf’s commitment to empowering the youth serves as an enduring reminder that with dedication and decisive action, a brighter future is attainable for all.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Governor of the Year 2024 (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of his transformative achievements in the education and healthcare sectors.
The recognition was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Governor Yusuf received the award at a prestigious event held in Lagos, where eminent personalities from across the country were honoured for excellence in leadership and service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Atedo Peterside, emphasized that the selection process was based on merit and verifiable impact, commending the awardees for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Vanguard’s Editor-in-Chief, Eze Anaba, praised Governor Yusuf for setting a high standard in governance through his commitment, innovation, and focus on people-centered policies.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vanguard for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kano State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens, especially education, health, and social welfare.
Other recipients of the Good Governance Award included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).
Governor Yusuf was accompanied to the ceremony by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, special advisers, local government chairmen, and close political allies.
This latest honour comes just four days after he received the Governor of the Year (Education) award from Leadership Newspaper.
The Governor is also scheduled to receive the Africa Good Governance Award from Heritage Times Magazine later this month in Morocco.
By Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Kano State has the highest number of zero-dose immunization cases in Nigeria, with 15 local government areas (LGAs) identified as high-burden, according to Save the Children.
This alarming figure has prompted the launch of targeted interventions under the Boost Project, a collaborative initiative by Save the Children and GSK aimed at reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in the country.
During an engagement meeting held on Thursday with the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization, stakeholders renewed commitments to tackling the issue.
The project is currently being implemented in Kano and Lagos States, with focused interventions in Ungogo and Gezawa LGAs, which are among the most affected areas in Kano.
Speaking at a media and civil society dialogue, Taiwo Folake, Coordinator of the Boost Project, emphasized the critical role of public engagement in reversing the trend.
She called for increased media support to drive awareness and community action on immunization.
Folake explained that the Boost Project works closely with state and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, and caregivers to ensure that children who have never received routine vaccines are reached, while also reintegrating those who have dropped out of immunization schedules.
Dr. Itunu Dave Agbola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the project, said the initiative is also focused on improving domestic resource mobilization for immunization funding, strengthening governance, and developing a Kano-specific immunization policy to enhance planning, funding allocation, and accountability.
She noted that building trust through community leadership is vital for vaccine acceptance.
Also speaking, Salisu Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Kano CoP on Immunization, reiterated the group’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to reduce the number of high-burden LGAs.
He dismissed widespread misconceptions about vaccine safety, assuring that vaccines are safe and scientifically approved.
Yusuf pledged to intensify sensitization efforts through media outreach, house-to-house campaigns, and community meetings.
The meeting marks a renewed drive to improve immunization coverage in Kano State, with a strong emphasis on reaching vulnerable and underserved communities.
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Governor Yusuf Bags Vanguard’s 2024 Good Governance Award
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