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
Aminu Abdullahi
In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday, 20th May, 2025 commissioned a state-of-the-art National Cybersecurity Centre at Bayero University, Kano (BUK).
KANO FOCUS reports that the facility, unveiled, is poised to become a national hub for digital defense, innovation and talent development.
Dr. Jide Ajayi cutting the tape during the opening ceremony
Speaking during the commissioning, NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, described the center as more than just a physical structure—“a national asset”.
Represented by Dr. Jide Ajayi from the Zonal Coordination Department, Abdullahi noted that the Centre represents a strategic intervention to enhance cybersecurity education, research and cross-sector collaboration across Nigeria.
“This is not just the unveiling of a facility, it is the activation of a knowledge-driven platform designed to equip our nation with the tools, talent and infrastructure required to safeguard our digital space and empower the next generation of cybersecurity experts,” he stated.
He added that the center aligns with the objectives of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Minister’s Strategic Blueprint, serving as a springboard for collaboration among government, academia and industry stakeholders. It will support research, hands-on training, and act as a resource hub for regional and national partners working to secure Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas, expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and NITDA’s leadership for what he described as a visionary and transformative investment in Nigeria’s higher education and national development.
Group picture taken during opening ceremony
“This Centre is more than just a building—it is a symbol of foresight, partnership and the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping our universities with critical infrastructure for 21st-century education,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
“Indeed, the entire Bayero University community is agog with happiness,” he added.
The event was well attended by a distinguished audience, including the Principal Officers of Bayero University, senior management staff from BUK, NITDA, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, and a large number of academic and administrative staff, along with enthusiastic participation from students..
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has debunked reaching a resolution with any individual on the trending defection rumoured to the ruling party or any other political party.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, who considered the recent statement credited to have suggested a particular position as an imagination of falsehood and fragmentation of political mischief against him.
A statement posted on his official X handle @KwankwasoRM, the ex-Governor insisted he has since refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and will continue to do so for the time being.
In the said false information that went viral, Kwankwaso was quoted to have revealed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on multiple occasions, urging him to return to the APC fold.
Responding to a statement purportedly signed by one Ibrahim Rabiu, Sen. Kwankwaso insisted he had never signed or authorised any statement to be issued on his behalf.
“My attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly stating my position on the recurring political realignments. I wish to categorically state that such statements are false, unfounded, and products of political mischief.
“I have refrained from commenting on contemporary political events, and I will continue to do so for the time being.”
” I urge the public to only engage statements that come from my public handles and other official sources”. Kwankwaso RM.”
In a releted development, the author of the purported false statement Ibrahim Rabiu has issued a self counter, denouncing the statement as a work of devil.
“I Ibrahim Rabiu, wish to inform the general public that I was never authorised by Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to issue and release a statement on his belhalf”
“I therefore wish to tender a public apology to his person with a promise that such childish act will never be repeated in the future, please find a space in your heart to forgive me, I was misled by fake news and agents of misinformation”
The Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sunusi II, commended the Adolescent Girls Initiatives for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project for reenrolling over 30,000 adolescent girls and renovating more than 1,300 schools across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir made the commendation while reeiving AGILE State Project Implementation Unit (SIPU) who paid him an advocacy visit recently.
Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi ll
He emphasized the Kano Emirate Council’s commitment to advocating for education and pledged continued support to ensure the enrollment, retention, transition, and completion of girls’ education in Kano.
The Emir also emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy in implementing policies and programs that foster the development of the state and the nation at large.
AGILE Project Coordinator presenting gift to Emir of Kano
He expressed satisfaction with the AGILE project’s strong monitoring and evaluation framework, particularly in tracking the use of grants and conditional cash transfers.
In his remarks, the Kano State AGILE Coordinator, Malam Mujtapha Aminu said more than 100,000 students are currently enrolled in learning centers across 23 local government areas under the Adolescent Girls’ Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) second chance education in Kano.
AGILE PC and Emir of Kano
He said this initiative provides out-of-school adolescent girls an opportunity to complete their secondary education, gain entrepreneurship and life skills.
According to him, the second chance education students undergo literacy, numeracy, and entrepreneurship training across 5,000 learning centers.
Athletes who participated in AGILE WEEK Games
He further explained that after nine months of instruction, the students sit for examinations and are awarded certificates equivalent to the Junior Secondary School Certificate.
“Those who enroll in the advanced literacy program also have the opportunity to sit for national examinations such as NECO and WAEC,” he added.
He said they visited the Emir’andalace to seek blessings and advocate for support to achieve their goals.
AGILE Communications Officer and games officials
The AGILE Project is a World Bank-assisted initiative implemented through Federal and State Ministries of Education, aimed at improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls in Nigeria.
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