Headlines
How Nigeria plans to end HIV/AIDS before 2030 – Official
Nasiru Yusuf
The Director General of National Agency for the Control of Aids NACA Gambo Aliyu said the agency has planned to end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria in the next ten years.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Aliyu revealed this shortly after monitoring Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey (IBBSS), in Kano.
Mr Aliyu noted that if all Nigerians will volunteer to undergo HIV screening to know their status, the agency will end AIDS before the year 2020.
“If we can get before the end of this year, every Nigerian to test himself or herself to know if he or she has HIV and come forward to work with us to provide a lifesaving medication to ensure this HIV does not live them to affect other persons, we will be able to control HIV.
“Two reduce the number of people getting HIV every day.
“Three, reduce the number of people that are dying from HIV.
“Four, reduce the number of people that are becoming sick because of HIV.
“The problem is people don’t know they have HIV until they are being brought to hospital sick.
“That is what we want prevent.
“Our call for everyone is to help us do one thing; just go and test yourself.
“If you have HIV, know that this is the beginning of another journey not the end of the road,” Mr Aliyu said.
The Director General of the agency said the survey focused on the key affected population who are responsible for spreading HIV to other groups.
“This survey is specifically looking at key affected population.
“Key affected population are the groups that drive the transmission of HIV more than any other group in the society.
“These are men who have sex with men, female sex workers, injection drug users and people who are transgender.
“We believe getting these people and getting to know their size in the community and the kind of services they preferred will help us design based on their preference. Design services that will work better.
“We are now at a stage where we see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of our ability to control HIV epidemic and end AIDS by the year 2030.
“We believe getting it right with these population is very-very important,” he said.
According to him, the finding of the survey will help the agency know the status of HIV epidemic among the population, the distribution of HIV among the population and the effectiveness of programmes being implemented over the years.
“Based on my visit, I think it is encouraging. I had an opportunity to interact with the data collectors.
“I have an opportunity to interact with the participants. I was very impressed with the level of knowledge and awareness in terms of HIV awareness of services and awareness of HIV medication can do and what preventive measures can do among those affected population.
“I was very happy to hear them telling me measures that are really important, how the drugs works on individuals in terms of reducing the sizes of HIV and making HIV transmission difficult,” Mr Aliyu said.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday grilled former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over allegations of abuse of office, diversion of public funds and fraudulent allocation of government properties to cronies.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, was first invited by the EFCC in September but failed to honour the invitation as reported by Channels TV.
An associate of the politician informed Channels Television that Kwankwanso may have been invited in relation to a petition by some retired employees of the Kano State Government.
The retired employees had told the EFCC that the former governor mismanaged pension remittances to the tune of N10 billion between 2011 and 2015, to fund a housing project for his cronies.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren did not comment on the interrogation of the former governor when contacted on Saturday.
Aminu Abdullahi
Crisis rocked Kano chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC), as Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and faction loyal to former governor of Kano and serving Senator Ibrahim Shekarau held parallel state congress.
KANO FOCUS reports that while Ganduje group held their congress at Sani Abacha stadium, faction loyal to Shekarau had their own at Janguza town, Tofa local government area.
Ganduje’s led group endorsed Abdullahi Abbas as state chairman of APC for a second term in a consensus arrangement, while the faction loyal to Shekarau announced Ahmadu Haruna Zago as newly elected chairman of APC in Kano state.
Reports shows that the security have earlier disrupted Shekarau’s camp congress at Sani Abacha youth centre and sealed the premises before they moved to Janguza where they held the election.
Below are some pictures of the parallel Congress.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje while voting at Sani Abacha stadium
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje with APC chieftains
Delegates at Sani Abacha stadium
Ballot box
Factional chairman of Kano APC Ahmadu Haruna Zago
Ahmadu Haruna Zago and Abdilkadir Jobe
APC factional congress at Janguza
Headlines
NCC moves to address poor network service at densely populated Kano markets – Prof Danbatta.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Umar Garba Danbatta says the commission will address the poor network at Kantin Kwari, Sabongari Singer and Kurmi markets.
KANO FOCUS reports that Danbatta announced revealed this while responding to complaint raised by a participant at a two day stakeholders consultative meeting tagged ‘talk to the regulator’ organised by Nigerian Communications Commission in Kano.
The complainer noted that that there is poor telecommunications service in Kantin Kwari, Sabongari, Singer and Kurmi markets in Kano metropolitan area.
Danbatta responded that the commission will deploy investigative team to determine the nature of the problem and proffer solution.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta
“We have the capacity to monitor the performance of MNOs, that is the most important thing. Because of this valid observation by our stakeholder, we are going to direct our searchlight in those areas where we think the quality of service needs to improve.
“And if it is necessary, we will send the investigative team what is the nature of the quality of service in such places with a view to improve the quality of the service,” Danbatta said.
The Executive Vice Chairman explained that the commission considers stakeholder feedback “as a critical component of our forward – looking regulatory model.”
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta with senior management staff of NCC
“Hence, the overarching objective of this forum is to get direct feedback from our licensees on how we, as a regulator, are meeting your expectations, and on areas where we can improve our regulatory service, particularly those that have to do with licensing.
“We also intend to use this forum to seek your support for the several initiatives that the commission has carefully developed in our quest to enhance market opportunities for all our licensees.”
Danbatta added that the commission will focus it’s energies for the next five years on five strategic pillars.
Participants
The pillars according to him include “organisational renewal for operational efficiency and regulatory excellence.
“Facilitate the provision of infrastructure for a digital economy which fosters national development.
“Improve quality service (QoS) for enhanced consumer quality of experience (QoE).
“Promote fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services as well facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership.”
Participants
He disclosed that the federal government has articulated a number of critical policy objectives for the sector such as those articulated in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Registration among others.
He added that the instruments require the full and unalloyed commitment of all stakeholders to ensure their successful implementation, and the meeting in Kano would provide a veritable channel for licensees’ buy-in.
Participants
In his address the Director of Licensing and Authorisation Department, Mohammed Babajika, said the commission is further liberalising the telecoms industry by finalising the framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and is currently reviewing existing regulations.
“The Commission is also finalising the Information Memorandum (IM) for 5G deployment, emerging trends like Internet of Things (loT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Over The Top (OTT) Services and Big Data Analytics, all aimed at initiating strategies to improve service delivery that is accessible and affordable.
EFCC Grills Rabiu Kwankwaso
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NCC moves to address poor network service at densely populated Kano markets – Prof Danbatta.
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