Headlines
Academic advocates subsidizing sanitary pads
Nasiru Yusuf
A lecturer at Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, Hadiza Gadanya has advocated for subsidizing sanitary pads in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gadanya made the appeal on Wednesday at a town hall meeting on Alternative funding for girl child Education Initiatives, organized by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) in Kano.
Gadanya observed that, the success stories recorded in subsidizing family planning commodity should be extended to sanitary pads as part of strategy of promoting personal hygiene among women of reproductive age.
The academic has also called for abolishing qualifying examination administer to secondary school students a year before taking final examination.
She noted that many girl students of poor background who fàiled the examination, finds it difficult to complete secondary school.
Another lecturer with the department of Adult Education and Community Development, Bayero University Kano, Auwal Halilu, identified cultural norms, poverty, health and sanitation as some of the major challenges to girl child education.
In a paper titled “Overview of Girl Child Education in Kano State: Prospects and challenges” Dr. Halilu attributed emerging barriers such as insecurity and COVID-19 to the low turn out of girls in schools.
Participants
He pointed out that introducing laws that protects the girl child, quality healthcare, providing opportunities for female school drop outs and employing qualified teachers would go a long way in boosting girl child education.
“Key stakeholders include schools, students, teachers, international and local development partners, Government at all levels, communities have a major role to play in promoting girl child education,” he said.
In his remarks, the state team leader of (PERL), Isa Surajo charged government to map out policies and programs that will improve enrolment, retention, completion and transition of girl child education.
State Team Leader PERL Isa Surajo
According to the team leader, research indicates that, government has no adequate resources to cater for the girl child due to the high number of females in the state.
Surajo noted that, the programme is targeted towards improving girl child education, good governance and learning outcomes in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
He maintained that, the alternative funding for girl education Initiatives would focus attention on supporting government, citizens and evidence based advocacy programs to upgrade girl child education.
The team leader decried the rising number of out of school children especially females, stressing the need for communities to work together with relevant stakeholders to increase girl child enrolment, retention, completion and transition to achieve the desired objectives.
“There are a lot of resources in our communities that can be used to upgrade girl child education. PERL will continue to support and collaborate with partners to improve governance and learning outcomes.
Similarly while presenting a paper titled, “Trend Analysis on Education Budget: Implication for Girls Education” the coordinator of Kano budget working group, Comrade Safiyanu Lawal Bichi, explained that girl child education goes beyond getting girls to school but rather ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school and gave the opportunity to complete all levels of education.
Safiyanu Lawal Bichi
He said available figures indicated that Nigeria has over 10.5 million out of school children with over three million of the total number in Kano.
He called on CSOs and citizens to follow up and advocate for the implementation of projects which would strengthen and support girl education in Kano state.
According to him “It is also about ensuring that girls learn and feel safe while in school, and have the opportunity to complete all levels of education, acquiring the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market.”
Participants
The town hall meeting in Alternative funding for girl education initiatives was attended by academics, journalists, students, CSOs, representative of labour unions faith and community based organisations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Society for Family Health has appointed Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf as Group Director, Impact Partnership and Engagement, as well as Managing Director of RevoHealth HMO Ltd., in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare access and sustainable health systems across Nigeria and Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced on the organisation’s official Facebook page on Saturday.
According to SFH, the new leadership appointment signals the beginning of a fresh phase focused on improving impact, expanding access to healthcare services, and advancing sustainable health transformation initiatives across the continent.
The organisation stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to building integrated health systems and promoting innovative platforms in healthcare financing, workforce development, advisory services, and sustainable health interventions.
SFH expressed confidence that Yusuf’s leadership would further strengthen the organisation’s impact and deliver lasting value to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Yusuf is a seasoned public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in the design and implementation of public health, social marketing, and health systems strengthening programmes in Nigeria.
He is widely recognised as a health systems expert, health economist, programme management specialist, and community engagement practitioner, with extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, malaria, child survival, and nutrition interventions.
He has also built strong technical expertise across the family planning and maternal, newborn and child health continuum, while leading large and complex teams on multiple development programmes.
Yusuf possesses strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, having worked closely with senior government officials, lawmakers, and influential traditional and religious leaders to drive institutional and behavioural changes that support effective programme implementation.
A seasoned trainer, Yusuf has trained various cadres of health professionals and is known for his practical expertise in participatory community engagement approaches.
He holds a degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Health Economics from Bayero University Kano, as well as an MSc in Microbiology from University of Abuja.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
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Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
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Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
