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 2020 Kano International Trade Fair organized by Kano Chamber of Commerce, Mines, Industry and Agriculture (KACCIMA) has kicked off on Saturday at the Trade Fair Complex, Zoo road, Kano.
speaking at the opening ceremony, Kano State governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said his administration is committed towards making Kano the most commercial viable centre among the 36 states of the federation.
Represented by his Deputy Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the governor explained that the state has embarked on several projects to attract more investors from within and outside the country.
“Our administration as part of its dire need to change the outlook of markets and also to enable them compete favourably with international markets came up with the idea of ‘Yan Tebura Mall at Kantin Kwari Market which is one of its kind in the whole Northern Nigeria.
“The cumulative effects of this project will be economic growth manifested in employment opportunities, job creation and income diversification thereby reducing poverty,” Mr Ganduje said.
He pointed out that despite security challenges bedevilling the Northern part of the country, his administration is not relenting its commitment to make Kano one of the safest destinations.
Mr Ganduje commended KACCIMA for organising the Trade Fair, describing the feat as indication of shrewdness and commitment of members to make Kano a role model in commerce and industry.
In his remarks, the Minister Of Trade Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo represented by Tukur Muhammad said the theme of this year’s fair ‘Promoting the growth of micro,small and medium scale enterprises for Nigeria’s accelerated industrial development’ is in tandem with Federal Government’s commitment to its mandate of boosting the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises to ensure that their products meet the acceptable global standards.
He applauded the effort of the State Government and KACCIMA for creating a conducive environment for business activities in Kano despite the economic challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
Nasiru Yusuf
The 2019 Kano state deputy governorship candidate of People Democratic Party PDP, Aminu Abdussalam has slammed Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for not constituting panel of inquiry to investigate police brutality in the state.
Mr Abdussalam was speaking on Friday at a Press Conference on failure of Kano state government to constitute panel of inquiry to investigate police brutality and alleged destruction of historical monuments in the state.
He recalled that, amidst #EndSARS protest, president Muhammad Buhari has directed all governors to set up panel of inquiry to investigate police brutality in their respective states, but none was established in Kano.
According to him 31 states of the federation have since constituted such panel of inquiry in compliance with presidential directive.
“You may wish to recall that #EndSARS aftermath necessitated federal government to direct all state governments to constitute panel of inquiry to investigate police brutality and ascertain the level of damages to the victims.
“But to our dismay and unfortunately as I am speaking to you right now, no such panel was established by Ganduje administration in Kano state. While 31 states have already kick started the investigation of police brutality.
” This has led us to raise question whether there is any police brutality in Kano, or any reported killing by the police as it happened in Sharada and other places. It appears the APC led government is feeling that Kano people does not deserved such attention,” Mr Abdussalam said.
Condemned Plan of Selling Kano Zoo
Mr Abdussalam also challenged Mr Ganduje’s plan of relocating Kano Zoological Garden to Bagauda, Bebeji Local government area, about 50 kilometres from Kano metropolis.
He said instead of consolidating on Kwankwaso’s policy of establishment of zoological garden in each of the senatorial district, the governor is closing the first Zoo in the state.
” It is also very sad to note that policies initiated by immediate past administration to establish one zoological garden per senatorial zone is now being reversed by Ganduje administration.
“A recent announcement by the governor through one of his commissioners that the only zoological garden situated in Kano central would be moved to another place.
” Instead of completing the one initiated by Kwankwaso administration at Bagauda, and establishing another one in Kano North, the governor is to say the least going in anti-clockwise direction.”
“In view of this we are calling the attention of government and other well meaning citizens of the state and individual involved in grabbing public land to desist from this merciless act.
” All these grabs of the public land are only for the benefit of few individuals, and more like a family affair.
“In the event however, that Ganduje continue to destroy these historical monument and strategic public properties, we will remain with no option, than to diligently pursue lawful means and engaging public protest in order to solve this disaster.
The politician described as setback auctioning public properties to individuals in Kano state.
“You may recall that Kano state government has been selling public properties such as Gidan Zoo, Daula Hotel, Triumph Publishing Company, Eid ground, Kofar Mata, Panshekara Modern Abattoir, some part of Fagge Juma’at Mosque, Hajj Camp and Shahuci Motor Park to individuals for personal gains through non-transparent and unconstitutional means that are hitherto being used for the benefit of all.
“The action if this inept, clueless and incompetent government, whose desire is only to milk public fund is a clear sign of setback to Kano state in particular and the nation at large,” Mr Abdussalam said.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano Zonal Office of National Human Rights Commission says it has received over 1000 complains of Gender Based Violence between January to November this year.
Kano Focus reports that the Kano Zonal Coordinator of the Commission Shehu Abdullahi disclosed this when he paid a courtesy visit to Kano State Chief Judge Nura Sagir in his office.
He said the aim of the visit was to sought for the Chief Judge collaboration on the 16 days of activism embarked by the commission to end the gender based violence in Kano and Nigeria at large.
Mr Shehu pointed out that the number of gender based violence in Kano risen to over 1000 despite lockdown period which restricted public from movement.
He explained that 80 percent of the cases emanated from neglect of parental responsibility, paternity denial and other harmful act against women.
He called on the Justice Sector to ensure accelerated trial is adopt in gender based violence cases with a view to curtailed the menace.
He also urged Justice Sector to ensure the full implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Law in punishing the culprit of Gender Based Violence.
In his response, the chief Judge of Kano state Nura Sagir said gender based violence is a global pandemic despite daily preaching and sensitisation by religious leaders and civil society organizations.
The Kano state Chief Judge stressed that gender based violence in on the increase considering the number of cases adjudicating in court.
Also in their separate remarks Justices of Kano state High Court Maryam Sabo and Zuwaira Yusuf said to overcome the menace relevant stakeholders need to put their hands on deck with the view to curtailed the violence.
Mrs called on ministry of Justice to avoid delay in the provision of legal advice.
She stated that legal advice shall be issued within 40 days as provided by Administration of Criminal Justice Act of Kano State.
Kano Focus reports that the 16 days Activism is reserved on every November 25 to create awareness and advocacy through series of activities with the aimed of bringing to the end of gender based violence.
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