Headlines
COVID-19: 15 more health workers test positive in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Fifteen additional health workers have tested positive for the presence of the coronavirus while treating patients at the National Orthopeadic Hospital, Dala in Kano state.
Aliyu Kabara, the chairman of the hospital’s branch of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) confirmed this to KANO FOCUS on Tuesday.
Mr Kabara said the 15 infected health personnel include three consultant doctors, nine resident doctors and three nurses that treated asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, who came to the hospital for orthopaedic treatment.
“We were the first hospital in Kano to record infected COVID-19 doctors. During the first screening, 15 persons out of 25 samples were found to be positive for COVID-19.
“All the infected doctors are now in self isolation in their respective homes, pending the availability of beds in state isolation centres.
“Because presently there is shortage of beds space in state isolation centres. We are hopeful of getting space since they have started discharging recovered patients who were certified negative for COVID-19. All the doctors are now in stable condition,” he explained.
According to him, the hospital has scaled down operation, and restricted services to emergency cases and inpatients.
On how the doctors got infected, Mr Kabara said they contracted the disease from a female patient who had undergone a surgery.
“When she came back for follow-up, she exhibited some COVID-19 symptoms. Most of the infected doctors are from that unit where this woman was treated.
“We are not always using personal protective equipment, because we don’t have enough. We rarely use them when attending to patients suspected to be COVID-19 positive.
“Otherwise, we use surgical mask and hand gloves for routine clinical services,” he said.
“No one will refuse to attend to a patient with life threatening illness and send him back because of lack of personal protective equipment. Some of these patients have COVID-19 beside their known clinical challenges,” Mr Kabara added. .
KANO FOCUS on Tuesday reported how 10 medical doctors tested positive for COVID-19 while treating patients at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
The chairman of the hospital’s branch of the Association of Resident Doctors, Abubakar Nagoma, attributed the vulnerability of the doctors to non-use of face masks by patients when coming to hospitals and lack of adequate personal protective equipment for doctors.
He also mentioned the deliberate hoarding of information by some patients.
However, Dr Tijjani Hussaini, coordinator of the technical subcommittee, Kano State Task Force on COVID-19, told this newspaper that three COVID-19 patients had been discharged after testing negative to the virus twice.
Mr Tijjani said all three patients were males, adding that more patients would be discharged from isolation centres this week.
“We are on contact tracing of over 400 persons. We still have challenge of resistance and non-disclosure of status from our contacts.
“We are presently working on the instruction of governor (Abdullahi Ganduje) to establish sample collection centres across the 44 local government areas of the state,” he said.
Kano state, is the second epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria after Lagos state.
On Monday, the NCDC had announced 23 new cases in Kano, putting the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state at 365, including eight deaths.
To curtail the spread of the virus in the state, President Muhammadu Buhari had announced a 2-week total lockdown in the state, as a reinforcement on the earlier one announced by the Kano State government
Mr Buhari had also deployed a special team of health professionals to assist the state government to fight the disease.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
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Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
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