Headlines
UK, Kano signs mutual accountability framework document
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State has signed a Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) with the United Kingdom.
KANO FOCUS reports that the signing of the agreement on Thursday made the state, the third in the country as Jigawa State and Kaduna states had earlier done on 16 June and 30th June 2021, respectively.
The three states were picked by the United Kingdom for her mutual accountability approach.
The signing was done after the United Kingdom’s (UK) Development Director in Nigeria, Dr Christopher Pycroft, and representatives from the British High Commission held a Strategic Dialogue with the Kano State Government to discuss the Kano Mutual Accountability Framework (MAF) between 11th and 12th August.
A statement on Thursday by the British High Commission in Nigeria signed by Policy and Communications Manager, Elva Lynch-Bathgate, said the UK and Kano State Government agreed Mutual Accountability Framework and held strategic dialogue focused on Health, Education, Social Protection, Good Governance, and Sustainable Economic Transformation.
The statement revealed that the Kano MAF, which was signed on 12th August by the UK and Kano State Government, is a policy document that provides the blueprint for the socio-economic development of Kano State, aligned with the overarching Kano State Development Plan (2020-2025).
The statement further said the framework formed the basis for the dialogue with both parties setting out their commitments and ways to hold each other mutually accountable to deliver on these.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje watching Primary school pupils
During the dialogue, technical sessions were held to identify constraints and opportunities and how best the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can support the Kano State Government to address them and progress delivery of the mutual accountability framework.
The statement read that through this strengthened partnership, mutual commitments, dialogue, transparency, and accountability, greater impact will be achieved in supporting the Kano State Government’s own efforts.
At the strategic dialogue, the UK Development Director in Nigeria, based at the British High Commission, Christopher Pycroft said: “This Strategic Dialogue to discuss our mutual accountability commitments affords us all the opportunity to do more. Kano State faces many challenges on the road to sustainable development – but this Mutual Accountability Framework is a call to action.
Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
“We can use this strategic dialogue to discuss what both sides can do differently to deliver more results for the people of the state and empower them to fulfil their potential.”
He noted that this dialogue represented the third of a series of high-level engagements between the UK and the state governments of Kano, Kaduna, and Jigawa, as earlier this year, the UK also signed Mutual Accountability Framework’s with Jigawa State and Kaduna State.
According to him, these partnerships will drive forward development and support long-term institutional reforms to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for citizens in the state. The strategic dialogues and accountability frameworks also deepen the existing strong relationships with partner states.
With the signing, both the FCDO and partner governments are accountable to the citizens to demonstrate how UK aid is supporting governments’ development agendas and policies.
The Kano MAF was signed at a primary school in Dawakin Tofa LGA, an initiative by the Kano State Governor, which is supported by UK aid, which demonstrates how the UK-Kano partnership is already delivering real impact on the ground.
Through the Kano Literacy and Maths Accelerator (KaLMA) project the school is supported to deliver with the Teaching at the Right Level approach (TaRL), which assesses children on foundational skills and groups them by learning level. Since 2019, through KaLMA over 36,000 primary school children have been supported to build foundational Hausa and English literacy and numeracy skills.
During school closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the KaLMA project pivoted to support the Kano State Government’s efforts to help children continue learning from home.
Governor Ganduje with Primary school pupils
With UK aid, support on home-based and remote learning, including radio broadcasts, has reached children across Kano with programmes in Hausa, English, and Maths.
During this visit, the Development Director, Dr Christopher Pycroft said: “Today I went with His Excellency Governor Ganduje to see how UK development assistance is supporting the Governor’s ambition to improve teaching and learning for Kano’s children.
Through our Strategic Dialogue and Mutual Accountability Framework which we signed today, we have further deepened the relationship between the UK and Kano state in support of the people of Kano.”
On his part, during the strategic dialogue, the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, stated that “There is no doubt the relationship between FCDO and the State is helping us to strengthen our institutions. For any sustainable development there must be strong institutions”, adding “We are partners in progress”.
Dr Danlami Hayyo, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Dr Christopher Pycroft
The statement said FCDO Nigeria has played a strong role over the past decade in the development and growth of Kano and will continue to partner with the state for a sustainable, empowered, and accountable development path for its people.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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