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 Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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