Headlines
Ganduje proposes strong financial backing as prerequisite for establishing media house
Nasiru Yusuf
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje advocated for strong financial backing as part of prerequisites of establishing media house.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Ganduje made the demand while declaring open a two-day roundtable conference on Media Development and Sustainable Funding in Nigeria, held at Bayero University, Kano
Ganduje said this will assure the sustainability of media houses in a highly competitive environment.
“As part of the funding strategy there should be a legal framework for the registration of media houses. Because we have a proliferation of media houses that are not sustainable. That is why they are engage in very cheap publicity and they pollute the environment in hate speeches, unwarranted presentation.
Prof. Abdalla Uba presenting his remarks
“I think most of them have been created without planning. And therefore already plan to fail. So the question of sustainability is rule out.
“I think there should be a legal framework where registration of media houses should have consideration apart of infrastructure, there should be a very strong financial backing. So that sustainability is assured,” Ganduje advised.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
The governor joined the long demand for national funding support to enable media industry recover from the devastating impact of hard economy, occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
Ganduje believed the media industry which suffered equal effect of global health challenges and unfriendly economic environment, deserved similar national attention accorded other industries.
Cross section of participants
Ganduje who emphasized that the primary responsibility of media in agenda-setting and the role of keeping concern authorities in check for good governance are largely being threatened by the economic challenges insisted on the need for government support cannot be more justified.
Although, the Governor opined that besides the funding predicament, Nigeria media environment was equally being struggled with gap in capacity and management failure.
In his address the University Vice-Chancellor Sagir Adamu Abbas said the institution is set to unbundle and end its mass communication program with the establishment of new faculty that will house academic programs such as journalism, development communication, public relations, broadcasting, advertising and film media studies.
Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas
He further revealed that with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the university is at an advanced stage of unveiling its Television station, having secured operational license and procurement of facilities.
The VC applauded the foundation for supporting the establishments of digital FM radio station and computer laboratory that can accommodate 150 students.
In his address the keynote Speaker Dr John Momoh said proving alternative sources of the media industry was very paramount, especially with the negative effect of covid 19 pandemic in the industry.
Mr. John Momoh
He noted that social media platforms was seriously affecting the traditional media , hence more alternatives of financing the industry needed to be formulated.
The Director General of Radio Nigeria Dr Mansur Liman Represented by the Director News Malam Sani suleiman described the meeting as timely.
Profs. Umaru Pate and Sagir Adamu Abbas
The convener of the roundtable and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, in Gombe State, Umaru Pate explained that the conference which draws media executives, professionals, and academics is aimed at charting a new path towards addressing funding and developmental challenges bedeviling the mainstream media industry in Nigeria.
Cross section of participants
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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