Headlines
Kano COVID-19 response ineffective–Elders
Nasiru Yusuf
A group of Kano elders under the leadership of Bashir Tofa has described Kano state government’s response against COVID-19 as “ineffective”.
The group tagged “Kano Against COVID-19 Initiative” is a composition of technocrats, bureaucrats, politicians, academics, lawyers community leaders and civil society activists.
In a statement signed by Mr Tofa on behalf of other members of the group and sent to KANO FOCUS on Thursday, the elders described the situation in Kano as “worrisome, if not alarming.”
The statement observed that “There is inadequate preparation at the state level and control measures were ineffective. There was lack of clear messaging to the citizens.”
The elders expressed dismay with what they described as “discordant tunes coming from some religious and community leaders expressing doubts about the existence of the disease.”
According to the statement, the coronavirus disease in Kano “now appears to be in a full scale community transmission with many deaths recorded in the last two to three weeks”
The elders lamented that the crisis within the state’s Task Force on COVID-19 after some of its members became infected with the coronavirus had caused a set back in the management of the pandemic.
It was in this context that Kano stakeholders and community leaders came together in a citizen initiative – Kano Against Covid-19 to determine how best to assist in contributing to an effective strategy for dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak in Kano:
- Engage in advocacy and mobilization along the three tiers of government, within the community, the private sector, civil society and international partners to combat the pandemic.
- Identity the key problems and challenges that bedevil the efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 In the State.
- Develop an intervention logic practices with the competencies and capacity to address the problem and challenges identified.
- Develop a framework on how to engage collectively to contribute to a better strategy of curtailing and containing the spread of the virus in Kano.
- Provide a strategy that adequately prepares for the post-covid era, in Kano.
The elders, according to the statement, have met with the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) Dr Sani Aliyu and Head of Ministerial Committee to Kano Nasir Gwarzo, along with his colleague, Mukhtar Mohammed.
To this end, the elders advocated for expanding testing and the provision of more testing centres and kits.
The provision of more bed spaces for isolation, holding areas and case management of patients and the unified management protocols for all COVID patients in the state, the group recommended.
“A significant number of medical personnel have become infected so there is urgent need for the procurement and delivery of sufficient PPEs for their protection.
“Most medical centres in the State have stopped admitting patients for non-covid-19 infections and a system of triage, sorting and provision of telemedicine facilities should be introduced urgently to ensure medical care for all sick persons.
“Urgent measures to provide for the welfare of Advocacy for health care workers- comprising remuneration, accommodation, adequate protection and Health Insurance.
“Establishment of a joint task force consisting of the members of the current State Task Force and representation from AKTH and NOH Dala – for improved synergy and coordination and for unified decisions and synergy in the implementation of strategies.”
The governing council of Kano Against COVID-19 has Alhaji Bashir Tofa as chairman with Abba Dabo, M. Y. Bello, (VC, BUK), Shamsuddeen Usman (former minister of National Planning) and Fatima Mukhtar (VC, FUD) as members.
Other members are Fatima Abdulrahman, Isyaku Tofa (Danadalan Bichi), Sule Yahaya-Hamma, A. B. Mahmoud, and Auwalu Yadudu.
Whil the steering committee has Jibrin Ibrahim as chairman with A B Mahmoud, Awwalu Yadudu and Mohammed Tabiu as members.
Others are Maryam Uwais, Mahmoud Sani, Aisha Oyebode, Amal Hassan and Y. Z. Ya’u.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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