Nasiru Yusuf

Kano state government has designated 509 health facilities for administering COVID-19 vaccine.

Kano Focus reports that the leader of the state Technical Response Team on COVID-19, Tijjani Hussaini disclosed this on Monday at a sensitisation meeting with security agencies held at Government House, Kano.

In a presentation, titled ‘COVID-19 Vaccine : Roll Out Plan in Kano State’ Mr Hussaini disclosed that “In Kano we have identified 509 health facilities, that will be use as COVID-19 vaccination centres.”

“We will use Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital and Dala Orthopedic Hospital.”

Mr Hussaini hinted that, there would be 4 phases for the proposed vaccination exercise in the state.

“The first phase will focus on frontline health workers, the second phase focuses on the remaining health workers and people above 50 years, the third phase will focus on people with underlying health issues and the fourth phase will focus on other target population.”

He also emphasized the need for people to register for COVID-19 vaccine online, so that federal government could allocate enough dose to the state.

In his address the Kano state governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the government decided to kicked-off the sensitisation campaign with the security agencies, being one of the categories of frontline population.

Mr Ganduje revealed that, “COVID-19 vaccine will follow the same pattern on how to reach the public, with what was obtained during Polio vaccine. We also need to follow the same pattern with that of our effort during the first wave of the COVID-19.”

“Our health workers are well trained for that. As they are recognized to be one of the best in the country. They performed wonderfully well before and during the first wave of the pandemic. They are still sustaining the tempo,” he assured.

“During this last lap of the fight against COVID-19, we win the fight again. In fact we are ready for this stage, the final stage.”

Mr Ganduje revealed that all categories of people would be involved in the sensitisation programmes designed to be implemented in phases.

He said the second category for the sensitisation meeting after security agencies, are health related professionals.

In a presentation titled “COVID-19 vaccine: facts, misconception and myths,” a Professor of Public Health, from Bayero University, Kano, Mukhtar Gandanya explained that the vaccine is not harmful and debunked all misconceptions surrounding its safety.

The sensitisation meeting was attended by Police, Army, Air force, Nigerian Civil Defense, Immigration Services, Correctional Centres, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Department of State Security, State Hisbah Board, among others.

Nasiru Yusuf

A  Kano born young lady Saadat Aliyu has developed Android application ‘Helpio App’ for reporting sexual abuse.

Kano Focus reports that ‘Helpio App’ was launched on August 6, 2020 on play store.

Ms Aliyu who is the founder of shamrock innovations, a women and youth centric tech innovation hub in kano, said that any person can visit play store on android phone and install the app.

“You can go to Play store, search for it and install it. After Installation, you can sign up using email and password either in Hausa or English language.

“So far the Initiative for Support of victims of  Sexual abuse, Orphans and Less privileged (ISSOL) and Equity Destitute, Child Right and Welfare initiative (EDCRAWI) have signed up in the platform,” Ms Aliyu said.

She recalled that she started learning IT skills from her brother when she was in junior secondary school and subsequently became a self taught developer.

The young lady told Kano Focus that “My next project will be launched very soon and is fintech oriented.

“I want to continue making an impact on women and people’s lives by advocating and developing solutions,” Ms Aliyu said.

Aminu Abdullahi

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission says it will investigate alleged corrupt practices in the disbursement of relief materials by National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFR).

Kano Focus reports that the chairman of the commission Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado revealed this while receiving the new Commissioner Independent Corrupt Practices and ther related offences Commission (ICPC ) in charge of Kano zone.

Mr Rimin Gado said PCACC will partner ICPC to investigate the alleged corrupt practices in the disbursement of relief materials.

He noted with dismay that some officials saddled with the responsibility of distributing the items to the needy, was accused of diverting it.

While congratulating the new Commissioner over his recent posting to Kano office of the ICPC, Mr Rimingado solicit for synergy between the two commissions towards checkmating corrupt practices in the state.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner of ICPC, Ibrahim Kagara, assured to work with PCACC in the fight against corruption.

Kagara, described corruption as a serious problem that required a concerted efforts of all stakeholders to tackle it decisively.