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 Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
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