Headlines
Modern contraceptive usage doubles in 3 years – Official
Nasiru Yusuf
The director medical services at Kano state Primary Health Care Management Board Imam Wada Bello said modern contraceptive prevalence rate among women in the state has doubled between July 2016 and January 2020.
Kano Focus reports that Mr Bello revealed this at 10 year anniversary of Network of Reproductive Health Journalists, held in Lagos.
According to him, finding shows that modern contraceptive use among women in Kano state has increased from 6% to 13% during the period under review.
He added that demand satisfied by modern contraceptive methods has doubled to 31% in the past 3 years.
He, however said 4% of partners of women who are currently using modern, female controlled methods are unaware that they are using a method.
Mr Imam noted that the findings indicated that “The decision to use family planning is a joint decision for 27% of women, It is a joint decision to not use FP for 62%, while the partner made the decision not to use FP for 22% of non-users.”
3 in every 10 women in Bauchi state have experienced sexual assault
On her part while making presentation during the anniversary lecture the Executive Chairperson of VAPP law working group Bauchi state Magistrate Amina Garuba revealed that 3 in every 10 women in the state have experienced sexual assault.
Magistrate Amina Garuba
She said: ” In Bauchi state, about three in every 10 women and girls are reported to have been assaulted before the age of 18.”
She noted that COVID-19 lockdown has aggravated the rape cases in the state.
“For instance in Bauchi in the month of March we have about 7 reported cases, and in the month of April, we have 30 reported cases. This has adverse effect not only on women, but community as whole.
” About 30% of girls and women aged between 15 and 45 have experienced one form of sexual abuse or the other. Because of partial restriction during COVID-19 pandemic, many victims find it difficult to access services of Sexual and Gender Based Violence SGBV response. Access to referral centre was limited due to restriction movement,” Mrs Garuba said.
Ekiti State Experience
On her part the wife of Ekiti state governor Erelu Bisi Adeleye – Fayemi, said the state has coordinating body for all sexual and reproductive health right.
Mrs Fayemi, who was represented by Rita Ilebari, said the body is a multi sectoral gender based violence management committee made up of all stakeholders, including government and Nongovernmental organizations chaired by the first lady.
NRHJN Members
This, according to her, has given birth to ‘he4she’ programme comprising young and elderly designated as ambassadors of the programme.
Mrs Fayemi added that though, there are improvements in certain areas regarding reproductive health rights issues, we still need to call for better political will to create enabling legal framework.
She advocated for more community mobilization, engagement and ownership in order to sustain the gains made.
“We must let the Traditional rulers, community leaders an dreligious leaders own the movement. We should also have the coordinating mechanism upgraded and strengthened,” she said.
How the journey started
In his address the chairman Board of trustees of the NRHJN, and Chairman, Association of Advanced Family Planning of Nigeria, Ejike Oji, recalled how the movement started.
He said ten years ago, based on outcome of research which showed scanty reportage of reproductive health issues in our various media outlets except for HIV/AIDS issues, the objective of founding the network to have a group of specially-trained journalists focusing on reproductive health issues came up.
Dr Ejike Oji
“As Country Director of Ipas then, we were training 40-60 Journalists across the country yearly. We have trained about 500 Journalists and they have been very active. I am very proud of the commitment of members and modest achievements in the last one decade. And the challenge for you is to continue to do more,” Mr Oji said.
In her opening remarks, chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Abuja Branch and a member of the network’s BOT, Hauwa Shekarau congratulated members for their efforts and commitment so far while encouraging them to remain focus on the objectives because the country still needs their input in achieving the set goals.
The theme for the anniversary lecture is; “Nigeria At 60, Progress And Opportunities For Sexual And Reproductive Health And Rights Protection” and a sub-theme; “COVID-19, A Pandemic’s Assault On Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Health Services.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
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