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).”
Aminu Abdullahi
The former Emir of Kano has on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll.
Kano Focus reports that the pictures of the visit were published on a Facebook page linked to former Emir named ‘Sanusi ll Dynasty’.
Though the reason of the visit was not stated, but the former Emir has paid similar visit to Lamido of Adamawa in his capacity as leader of Tijjaniyya sect in Nigeria.
Emir Muhammad Sanusi ll
Aminu Abdullahi
Kano State Government has expressed commitment to revive the long existing relationship with Pakistan.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje gave the assurance on monday while receiving the Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria Muhammad Tayyab Azam at the Government House.
Ganduje represented by his deputy Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna said Kano endowed with lots of potentials is open for people to come and invest, particularly those from Pakistan.
“We are happy for showing commitment towards reviving the long relationship between us. I can remember the partnership we have in the engagement of Pakistani teachers in our schools which has yielded a lot today.”
“Even in the area of agricultural mechanization we have partnered with Pakistan especially in the supply of tractors to our farmers,therefore I feel if we continue to explore agriculture it will be beneficial to both Kano and Pakistan”.
The Governor also commended Pakistan for showing interest in reviving the bilateral relationship with Kano State.
In his remarks the Pakistani High Commissioner Muhammad Tayyab Azam described the visit to Kano as historic and important being the first state he visited since assuming office.
“I know the importance of Kano as hub of business in Nigeria, after Lagos Kano is next where there is business opportunity”.
“There was a time in Kano when most schools have many Pakistani teachers..my aim is to bring back that relationship”.
He however pointed out that Kano and Pakistan have similarities in both values and culture therefore it is important to deepen the relationship so as to sustain the partnership in the areas of health and agriculture as that will create opportunities for our people towards boosting the economy.
The High Commissioner was accompanied during the visit by Pakistani Consul General in Kano Ahmed Ibrahim Yakasai.
Aminu Abdullahi
The Arewa Consultative Forum ( ACF) has resuscitated it Kano State chapter and nominated a 14- member Interim Executive Committee to run its affairs for the next six months.
Kano Focus reports that the Forum has mandated the new leadership to organise a general congress that may elect a new council.
A statement issued on Monday by the publicity secretary of the Forum Bello Sani Galadanchi reported that at the inaugural ceremony presided by a member of ACF Board of Trustees, Halliru Akilu, the non- partisan voluntary organization also nominated delegates to its National Executive Committee ( NEC) engagements.
Akilu, a retired Brigadier- General, tasked the new leadership to work in unity, and restore all ACF organs and activities for the betterment of our society.
He stressed that the ACF which is apolitical, believes in the unity of the country, but aspires to see the glory of the north restored, and the economic fortunes of the region tapped for the greater benefit of our people and the nation as a whole.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the ACF Interim Committee, NaShehu Hassan Abubakar thanked the congregation for finding him worthy of the enormous responsibility.
Abubakar, a retired Air Vice Marshall (AVM) assured the ACF National body and people of Kano State of his determination to steer the ship creditably, selflessly and in strict compliance with ACF desire to improve the lot of our people, as well as agitate for their rights.
Other committee members nominated at the ceremony include Aishatu Yakubu Maijama’a (Deputy Chairperson); Shehu Aliyu (Vice- Chairman); Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya (Secretary); Sani Bala Tela (Assistant Secretary); Rabia Hussein Adamu (Treasurer); and Mairo Bello (Assistant Treasurer).
Others are Mahadi Sadiq Abubakar, (Financial Secretary); Hafsat Namadi Bebeji (Assistant Financial Secretary); Bello Sani Galadanchi (Publicity Secretary); Tanimu Ibrahim Getso (Assistant Publicity Secretary); Kabir Mukhtar (Legal Adviser); Muhammad Kabir Haruna (Assistant Legal Adviser); and Azimi Namadi Bebeji (Auditor).
The inaugural ceremony attracted Youth and Women wings of the ACF whose members were nominated into both the executive committee and the NEC.
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) is apolitical and socio-cultural association of leaders in Northern Nigeria formed in 2000 to protect Northern interest in the political scene.
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