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.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Kano State Accountability Forum on Education in collaboration with BETA Nigeria has awarded Zainab Ibrahim Bukar, a content creator, the sum of ₦100,000 for her outstanding content on the state of education in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that Miss Bukar emerged as the winner of the competition by creating engaging content that highlighted allocation of 31% of Kano State’s budget to education.
Another contestant received ₦50,000 for creating compelling short content that shed light on the challenges facing education in Kano.
Abdulsalam Badamasi, Program Lead of Beta Nigeria Coalition, urged other social media users to leverage their phones to create content that promotes primary education in Nigeria.
He made this call during the two-day Capacity Building and breakfast meeting designed for media and social influencers.
The event aimed to equip participants with skills in education-focused reporting and content creation while fostering collaborations to amplify educational priorities.
Dr. Auwal Halilu emphasized the need for a collective approach to tackle the challenges facing education in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of creating content that influences government policies on education, rather than sharing insignificant content on social media.
Dr. Halilu also highlighted the need for NGOs, media, and government to collaborate in providing credible information about the state of education and potential solutions.
Miss Bukar, the competition winner, attributed her success to her passion for content creation.
She expressed gratitude to the organizers, particularly the Beta Nigeria Coalition.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The newly appointed Secretary to the State Government of Kano State, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim has assumed office on Monday.
KANO FOCUS reports that his arrival ignited jubilations and enthusiastic reception by entire staff of the Cabinet Office.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS on Monday by information officer cabinet office, Musa Tanko said some associates as well as other well wishers assembled at the cabinet office to welcome the new SSG.
The statement added that the staff described Ibrahim’s appointment as a homecoming, owing to the fact that he had served in the office in different capacities.
Receiving the SSG on behalf of the Cabinet Office community, the Permanent Secretary, Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs (REPA) Directorate, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Jalo, expressed delight for the appointment and stated that the choice of Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim was a welcome development and highly befitting.
He further stated that, the SSG knows the terrain of the job very well and expressed hope that Kano State is heading towards positive turn around at the state engine room and bringing the divident of democracy to the general public.
In a similar development, members of the Payroll Standing Committee led by their Deputy Chairman, Alhaji AbdulMalik Rogo, paid a solidarity visit to the newly appointed SSG, Alhaji Umar Farouq Ibrahim.
Alhaji AbdulMalik Rogo stated that, immediately after the announcement, both conventional and social media platforms were agog with praises and well wishes were flowing in from different angles. This alone was a clear indication, that the appointment was well deserved.
He added that, this was part of the reason the committee members took the lead to celebrate the SSG. He pray to God to guide him to succeed in the newly assigned task.
Expressing his appreciation for the visit, the SSG stated that he has made a vow to Governor Yusuf, that he will put in his best to serve the state.
He also revealed that “Anybody or groups with meaningful ideas to further develop our dear state is welcome.” he assured that, he would operate an open door policy which has been his guiding principle during his civil service career.
“I am profoundly gratitude to Almighty Allah. As I appreciate His Excellentcy, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for reposing his confidence in me. To serve the state in this capacity. And I promise not to disappoint him,” he concluded.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed Umar Farouk Ibrahim as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Ibrahim’s appointment takes effect from Monday, February 10, 2025.
According to the statement, Ibrahim was selected based on his extensive experience and expertise, which are expected to play a vital role in advancing the administration’s development agenda and keeping the state on track with its goals.
Umar Farouk Ibrahim brings over three decades of distinguished public service to his new role.
His career in the civil service, spanning from 1987 to 2023, has been marked by key leadership positions that significantly contributed to the governance and administrative structure of Kano State.
From March 2001 to May 2015, Ibrahim served as the Permanent Secretary for Research, Evaluation, and Political Affairs in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government.
In this capacity, he was instrumental in analyzing key policy options, advising the government on viable alternatives, and overseeing the implementation of these policies across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Following this, from June 2015 to March 2016, Ibrahim held the position of Permanent Secretary for the Administration and General Services Directorate.
His tenure in this role showcased his strong leadership and administrative skills. Notably, he served as acting Secretary to the State Government during annual leaves in 2013 and 2014, underscoring the trust and confidence placed in him by the state leadership.
In addition to his formal roles, Ibrahim served as Secretary for several high-profile committees, including the Coordinating Committee on Independent Power (2012-2015), the Committee on the Identification and Sale of Government Property (GP Houses) in 2012, and the State Payroll Standing Committee (2000-2004).
His early career also saw him play pivotal roles in community and educational reforms, such as his position as Secretary of the Inter-Community/Religious Consultative Forum in 1998 and the Committee on the Review of the Operations of the Agency for Mass Education in 1994.
Mr. Ibrahim obtained a B.Sc. in Political Science from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University in 1985, followed by several professional certificates that further enriched his qualifications.
As a seasoned administrator and retired Permanent Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim is expected to bring a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a commitment to excellence in his new role as SSG.
His appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the administrative framework of the current government and facilitate the effective execution of its policies and programs.
Governor Yusuf expressed confidence that Ibrahim’s appointment would significantly contribute to realizing his administration’s vision for Kano State, emphasizing the importance of experienced leadership in steering the state toward sustained development and growth.
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