Headlines
Malnutrition hits 2 million children in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Latest statistics have shown that the number of malnourished children in Kano state has climbed to two million, a figure that is raising concern among stakeholders.
This was revealed during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Aisha Buhari Foundation on Thursday, aimed at re-positioning nutrition as a developmental and rights based issue.
Speaking at the event, Onole Ukedeh, Project Coordinator of the Foundation, said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to find a lasting solution on the issue, especially in Kano where 58 percent of children are believed to be malnourished.
Ms Ukedeh said “malnutrition affects development by all standards as a stunted child could not even think well and that is why today many children could not pass their school leaving examinations.”
“There is an urgent need to tackle the problems by exploring finance gaps, which would make it easy to appropriate funds where necessary instead of just allocating funds to ministries without knowing their basic values,” She added.
Mrs Ukedeh explained that generally Nigeria has the poorest budget on malnutrition as 32 percent of Children are already affected by one form of malnutrition or the other.
She said since 2017, 58 percent of every 100 children are malnourished and the trend has still not changed.
In his presentation, the National Vice President North, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Salisu Maiwada suggested the use of local nutritional foods, especially in the rural areas.
Represented by an expert on nutrition, Shehu Sharfadi, Mr Maiwada explained that one must not be rich to be able to afford nutritious food, saying there are many varieties of nutritious foods affordable to common people.
According to him, more investment needs to be done to tackle the menace, calling on the federal and state governments to redouble their efforts.
Similarly, a member of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ali Ibrahim Shanono, representing Bagwai/Shanono Constituency said the state government has already earmarked N4 billion to fight malnutrition.
According to him, apart from the N4 billion approved, there was also another N15 billion set aside at the State Agricultural Development Agency (NARDA) to address the menace.
He said, “we are highly concerned with the prevalent rates of the malnourished children in the state, and therefore urgent effort to take decisive action on the issue has seriously arise (sic).”
Nasiru Yusuf
THE Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has carved out a new Kano transmission region from the old Kaduna Region.
KANO FOCUS reports that the newly established unit brings the number of TCN regional centres to 10.
The TCN believes the step will improve commercial activities in the state.
A statement issued by TCN General manager of Public Affairs Ndidi Mbah explained that the creation of the Kano Transmission Region became necessary owing to the rapid economic and industrial development being witnessed within Kano State and its environs, as well as the gradual implementation of TCN’s strategic ‘Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP),’ which has enabled the transmission company to complete some ongoing projects and increase the number of substations within that axis.
He said the Kano Transmission Region had, under its supervision, one sub-regional office and several work centers, all housing 13 transmission substations (TS), including the Kumbotso TS, Dan Agundi TS, Dakata TS, Tamburawa TS, Kwanar Dangora TS, Wudil TS, Kankia TS, Katsina TS, Daura TS, Dutse TS, Hadejia TS, Azare TS, and Gagarawa TS.
The new Kano region currently according to the statement has ongoing transmission substation projects which when completed would further increase bulk transmission capacity in the new region.
The new Kano Transmission Region, the company said, would deepen operational efficiency within the region and enable its engineers to readily access and resolve technical issues within the new region.
Mbah explained that prior to the creation of the new Kano Region, major decisions had to be referred to Kaduna Region for directives, and the supply of materials was sometimes delayed due to logistic issues from Kaduna.
Mbah noted that the proximity of the new region would radically reduce downtime and eliminate time lost when materials had to be conveyed from the Kaduna Region.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Department of State Services have arrested another blasphemous singer, Ahmad Abdul, whose song was perceived to create chaos in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Singer Ahmad Abdul was detained by the DSS because his free movement may likely cause violence reaction from Kano residents.
While in detention, Mr Abdul tender apology to entire Muslims, Kano state government and Islamic Scholars.
He told DSS operatives that he never thought that the song has violated Islamic teachings.
Commenting while witnessing the bail condition granted to Mr Abdul at the DSS Headquarters, Kano, the Executive Secretary of the Kano state Censorship Board Ismaila Naaba Afakallah recalled that he had received hundreds of petitions against the song from concerned citizens.
Afakallah said having realized the gravity of the song’s blasphemy, he reported the singer to DSS who swung into action and arrested him at a Hotel where he was hiding for days.
Mr Abdul Father, Abdullahi Isa thanked the DSS for their timely response on the matter which saved possible outbreak of law and order.
Also in August last year, An upper Sharia court in the Hausawa Filin Hockey area of the state has found one Yahaya Sharif-Aminu guilty of committing blasphemy for a song he circulated via WhatsApp.
However, the appellate division of the High Court of Kano State had on January 21 quashed the death sentence passed on Mr Sharif-Aminu and freed him.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The deposed Emir of Kano Malam Muhammadu Sunusi II says he is not interested in contesting for the presidency of Nigeria.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Sunusi revealed this at a Tijjnaniyya zikir held in Abuja on Thursday.
Muhammadu Sanusi said his current position as Tijjaniyya Khalifa in Nigeria is superior to the presidency.
The deposed Emir however said he is ready to help those he believe in their competence to win elections without his participation in politics.
“If we trust a candidate is out to serve the people, we will come out and help them.
“That is not joining politics but a civic duty to the nation and its citizens” Mr. Sanusi said.
TCN creates Kano transmission region
DSS arrests singer accuse of blasphemy
I’ll not run for President – Muhammadu Sanusi II
Vigilantes arrest grave robber in Kano
Man arrested with over N1bn cash at Kano airport
‘Yan Sanda sun kama mutum 63 da ke addabar Kano
Ya kamata a yi dokar ‘kisa’ kan masu kwacen waya a Kano-al’umma
Kallon gobara: Mutane sama da 70 sun kone a Kano
Matashi a Kano ya cakawa dan cikin matar yayansa wuka
