Headlines
KSACA sensitises Kannywood on combating HIV/AIDS through film
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), has organised a one-day sensitization seminar on Sunday, to empower Kannywood stakeholders on portraying issues on HIV/AIDS in film production.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director General of the Agency, Sabitu Shu’aibu Shanono, tasked film makers on research before embarking on health related films.
He explained that Kannywood film makers have a key role to play in advocacy, as they have a large audience in the community.
Shanono charged them to contribute their portion to see the end of the disease, thus the need to make proper presentation of the disease.
According to him, “Gone are the days when People Living with the disease die easily as still presented in our Kannywood movies.”
He advised them to seek clarification on vital issues from the agency before embarking on films related to HIV/AIDS.
The DG however, stressed the readiness of the agency on building a cordial relationship with the industry, and providing vital information to film producers.
Also speaking, the Executive Seretary, Kano Censorship Board, smail Na’abba Afakallahu, commended the agency for the sensitisation.
He highlighted the role of film makers in sensitization on key issues especially health.
Afakallah called for collaboration between the industry and the agency, to send the right information to the populace.
In his remarks, the President, Motion Pictures Assocition of Nigeria (MOPPAN), Kabiru Maikaba, seeks for continuous support from such agencies.
He emphasised the need of enlightening Kannywood industry with the right information to feed their audience.
Maikaba pledged the support of his association, in contributing to end the disease, as they did in other areas.
A famous Hausa writer and the first female film producer, Hajiya Balaraba Ramat while speaking, recalled some controversies sorrounding marrying people living with HIV/AIDS.
“But today, we have seen a change in that trend because people with the virus have been successfully married and even have children,” she said.
She tasked the agency on continuous sensitization as the industry was always ready for corrections and education, in an entertaining manner.
Ado Ahmad, a renown Kannywood writer, highlighted some of the contributions giving by Hausa writer in creating awareness on early years of HIV/AIDS in Kano.
He said that the Hausa literature industry and Kannywood had contributed a lot to information dissemination.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event featured presentation from Abdallah Uba Adamu and Ashru Tukur Inuwa from faculty of Communication, Bayero University, Kano.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kano University of Science and Technology (ASUU-KUST), Wudil has expressed serious dismay and sorrow over the financial management style of the authority of KUST, Wudil, which is largely characterized by embezzlement and bogus expenditure.
KANO FOCUS reports that ASUU alleged that over the years the registration fees collected from the students were squandered and misapplied.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by chairman ASUU KUST Wudil, Muhammad Sani Gaya jointly signed by his secretary Murtala Muhammad the union is vehemently against the use of any component of registration fees to offset a loan facility amounting to N 200 Million with 10% interest utilized in procuring eight (8) exotic vehicles for the former Pro-Chancellor, A.B Mahmoud SAN and Principal officers of the university.
The statement observed that “The procurement violated section 16 subsection (1), section 24, section 25 and section 42 of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and Kano State Appropriation Law 2019.
“The students who went for SIWES in 2020/2021 session were not given Log book for daily record of the experiences gained, despite collecting N 500 for the Log book and N 3000 for SIWES/TP in the registration fees.
“Students pay N3000 as internet service charges; however, the internet service has become history in the university. There is also inadequate supply of pharmaceutical drugs and other medical facilities despite collecting fees from the students. The students are made to enroll into non-functional health insurance scheme.”
According to ASUU Salary arrears of Staff ranging from one to three months, were not paid and their pension contributions for the said period were deducted.
ASUU alleged that misappropriation and misapplication of funds has become a norm of the university authority.
“To this effect, the university authority has diverted over N 352 Million of staff pension contributions in gross violation of section 11 subsection 3 (b) and 70(2) of the pension reform Act 2014 and section 7(2) of Kano state pension and gratuity Law.
“Furthermore, the taxes deducted from the staff salaries have not been fully remitted to Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).
“It became so embarrassing that the KIRS had to drag the university to Tax Appeal Tribunal in Kaduna after what they described as the nonchalance of the university authority to respond to the KIRS correspondences on the unremitted tax deductions. This singular action has already tarnished the good image of the University as a corporate entity.
“The union is strongly calling on the university authority to immediately address the aforementioned issues to avoid industrial dispute.”
The KUST management reacts
However, a statement sent to KANO FOCUS later in the day by the university’s spokesperson Sa’idu Abdullahi Nayaya dismissed the allegations as false, saying that the University did not violate any provision of the Procurement act or Financial Regulations.
According to the statement, all account books of the University are kept clean and up-to-date and there is no any iota of financial embezzlement.
The statement added that all outstanding issues requiring Government attention are receiving attention from the Government.
it observed that all issues raised are the same issues submitted to the Visitation Panel that have just concluded its assignment, noting that issues raised were stale as they have been addressed and explained for over five (5) years.
“The Management of the University stands firm in its resolve and commitment to keep ensuring a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for academic and administrative activities in order to see to the realization of the objectives of the founding fathers of the University.
“The Management, once again solicits the understanding, cooperation and support from all people in ensuring that KUST is taken to the next level.
“The Management, once again solicits the understanding, cooperation and support from all people in ensuring that KUST is taken to the next level,” the statement concluded.
Nasiru Yusuf
A Non Governmental Organisation Smile Train has donated a pediatric surgical theatre to Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the facility was commissioned by Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi.
Speaking at the occasion the chief of Defence staff Lucky Irabor applauded the initiative.
Irabor, represented by Ginikanwa Nwosu said the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies in providing quality pediatric treatment to children as part of it corporate social responsibility.
Nwosu, a Major General in Nigerian army said the surgical theatre will help in solving cleft challenge in children.
According to him the centre is accessible to all Nigerians.
pediatric surgical theatre, Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano.
“The paediatric surgical centre is not only beneficial to the Nigerian Army, it is beneficial to every citizens especially children from every part of the country with the deformity known as cleft. It is basically for them. Because the Armed Forces specialist Hospital, Kano is also open for the treatment of the general public.
“It is heartening to see this high level of collaboration to bring succour not just to members of Armed Forces and their family but the general public,” Nwosu said.
While donating the equipment, regional director of VP Smile Train and Africa Nkeiruka Obi said their aim is to ensure every child enjoys free access to cleft surgery.
pediatric surgical theatre, Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano.
“This is in line with our mission to ensure that every child or every adult one with cleft in every part of the world is giving access to free and comprehensive cleft care. So that they are able to live healthy and productive life,” Mrs Obi said.
pediatric surgical theatre, Armed Forces Specialist Hospital, Kano.
The chairman of Grassroots smile initiative Adetokunbo Adebola said the facility now gets pediatric operating suit, recovery room fully equipped with 3D cone beam cephalometric x-ray machine and royal dental clinic.
This according to him, is to strengthen comprehensive healthcare services in the hospital.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Court of Appeal, Portharcourt Division has fixed March 17, for hearing of the substantive appeal.
KANO FOCUS reports that one of the counsel to Yunusa Dahiru (Yellow), Sunusi Musa announced this in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
Other counsels to Yunusa Yellow present at the court include Huwaila Muhammad, Abdul Muhammad Rafindadi and Kayode Olaosebikan.
The Trial
The case of Yunusa and Ese generated a lot of reactions in 2015 when it was first reported.
Yunusa was arrested and arraigned at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa in 2016 in the suit number FHC/YNG/17c/2016 on a five-count charge of criminal abduction, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.
Part of the charges against Yunusa read: “That you, Yunusa Dahiru, a male, resident in Opolo-Eipie area of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, conspired with the duo of Dankano Mohammed and Mallam Alhassan, between August, 2015 and February, 2016, to commit an offence of abduction and thereby committed offence punishable under section 27(a) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.”
In May 2020 the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, sentenced Yunusa, to 26 years imprisonment for child trafficking and sexual exploitation of Ese Oruru.
Ese was reportedly abducted by Yellow in Bayelsa in 2015, taken to Kano State where she was allegedly forcefully married and impregnated by Dahiru.
While delivering judgement Justice Jane Inyang, held that Yunusa was not guilty of count one which bothered on abduction.
The judge, however, found him guilty of child trafficking, illicit sex, sexual exploitation and unlawful carnal knowledge.
He was jailed five years in count two (Child trafficking), seven years in count three (illicit sex), seven years in count four (Sexual exploitation) and seven years in count five (Unlawful carnal knowledge).
The judge, however, held that the sentences should run consecutively, which means the convict will spend a maximum of 26 years in jail.
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