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Kano needs N15bn to fight COVID-19–Ganduje

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Ganduje COVID-19

Nazifi Dawud

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has revealed that Kano state needs at least N15 billion to effectively tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ganduje who said this during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday, explained that the state did not receive a dime from the federal government as assistance in the COVID-19 fight.

“We have not received a single Kobo from the federal government but we applied for N15 billion so that we will be able to meet our demands to purchase personal protective equipement. We also have to pay voluntary health workers, who are in their thousands and we also need to increase the number of test centres and put people that will work there,” he said.

‘Reports of mass deaths fake news’

Mr Ganduje also dismissed reports of high death rate in the state, saying the government had undertaken a survey and discovered that the claims were false.

KANO FOCUS had authoritatively reported that at least 300 deaths mostly affecting elderly people, were recorded between Friday and Monday  in various parts of the city.

“That information two days ago is not correct because we undertook an investigation and the initial report that I received from one grave where some people reported 70 deaths, we found out there were only 13 deaths.

“We will soon get a complete report but I assure you that information is not correct. Looking at previous burials, there is nothing to show that there is an unusual frequency of deaths in Kano State.

“But there is a lot of fake news going around. We have already started arresting some people who are peddling such rumours. Only one death so far has been recorded from coronavirus infection,” the governor said.

“But what is important is the confirmation and to find out what actually killed the people.

“That requires going to the hospitals, if they died in the hospitals, or going to the families if they were not taken to the hospitals. But as I speak, there is no unusual burial taking place in Kano,” he added.

‘Infections at Kano COVID-19 test centre’

Answering a question on the temporary closure of the only COVID-19 test lab at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Mr Ganduje explained that there were reports of infections among some of the staff working in the facility.

“We understand that there is infection in the laboratory probably among technicians, some have tested positive,” he said.

The governor however, added that there were other issues that necessitated the suspension of operations at the centre including scarcity of re-agents and bottles for storing samples.

“But the federal government is on top of that. We are getting cooperation from the presidential task force (PTF),” he said.

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“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.

 

The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.

 

Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.

 

He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.

 

The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

 

He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.

 

Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

 

He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.

 

The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.

 

Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.

 

He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.

 

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Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.

 

The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”

 

The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.

 

According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.

 

It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.

 

The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.

 

Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

 

The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.

 

It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.

 

The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.

 

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Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

 

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.

 

KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.

 

The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.

 

He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.

 

According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.

 

Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.

 

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.

 

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