Headlines
Group advocates more fund releases to epidemic preparedness in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
Participants at a one day workshop to adopt the revised Epidemic Preparedness Response (EPR) accountability framework have appealed for more releases in health sector in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants comprised of lawmakers, government officials, journalists and civil society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion the chairman house committee on environment and member representing Takai in the state House of Assembly Musa Ali Kachako said the state government has allocated N400 million for Epidemic Preparedness Response in 2022 appropriation.
He assured Assembly’s commitment in supporting health security financing in Kano state.
In his address a director at Kano state House of Assembly Nasiru Magaji said the proposed Kano Health Bill will address critical sector of health security financing in Kano.
Also speaking director budget in the state Ministry of Planning and Budget Yakubu Sabiu Garundanga revealed that the 2021 budget performance is slightly above expectation.
He also appealed to state Primary Health Care Management Board and Hospital Management Board to submit details of partners’ intervention in their respective organisations to the ministry to be fully reflected in periodic budget performance report.
The Director budget in the ministry Abbas Karaye observed that there are other EPR interventions in some ministries, departments and agencies that are not been captured during review performance of the government’s spending on health.
According to him government interventions on erosion control, Avien Influenza, procurement of animal vaccination and and provision of portable drinking water are part of Epidemic Preparedness Response.
In his presentation titled ‘Performance of the Government’s spending on Health and EPR and real time data tracking on the EPR accountability framework’ Iniobong Usen of BudgIT observed an improvement in Kano state budget performance where the state spent over fifty percent of it’s approved budget in Capital expenditure.
He however, frowned on low expenditure in health subsector where he said “comparatively to other sectors like agriculture and environment the government spend relatively less than it had planned to spend in the approved budget.
“Speaking to EPR which is the reason why we are here today. Last year, the government had allocated M300m to Epidemic Preparedness Response, although commendably that sum has been increased to N400m this year. However, if you look at the implementation of that N300m budget line for Epidemic Preparedness last year, it was quite poor.
“At some point during year, we heard that N30m had been approved for disbursement out of N300m. As at today, we have no information on exactly if that approved N30m was disbursed and what exactly specific way in terms of utilising that N30m for Epidemic Preparedness.”
Earlier, the state coordinator of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) and Legislative Initiative for Sustainable Development (LISDEL) Muhammad Inuwa Shu’aib said relevant stakeholders have brainstorm on how to improve EPR and health security in Kano state.
On the next line of action, Shu’aib said all stakeholders will work on the action plan develop during the workshop to ensure sustainable financing for health security in Kano state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National President of the Government Arabic Teachers College Gwale Old Students Association (GATCOSA), Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago, is dead.
KANO FOCUS reports that Prof. Dandago, a renowned Professor of Accountancy at Bayero University Kano, died on Wednesday evening. His passing has thrown the academic community and associates into mourning.
In a message shared on GATCOSA’s WhatsApp platform, a Director at the Kano State Ministry of Higher Education, Alhaji Nura Dandago, announced that the funeral prayer for the late professor would be held on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. at his residence in Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, Kano.
Until his death, Prof. Dandago served as the National President of GATCOSA and was widely respected for his contributions to education and public service. He previously served as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Just last Saturday, the late academic presented a paper on economic challenges in Northern Nigeria at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Islamic Forum of Nigeria, where he spoke passionately about strategies for economic reform and regional development.
Colleagues and admirers described Prof. Dandago as a dedicated scholar and public servant who was deeply committed to building a prosperous and self-reliant nation. His death marks the end of a distinguished career in academia and public service.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The basketball team of Bayero University Kano (BUK) has emerged champions of the Northwest 3×3 Basketball Championship hosted by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the victorious team presented the championship trophy to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Haruna Musa, following their impressive performance at the tournament, which featured six universities from across Northern Nigeria.
BUK went unbeaten throughout the competition, winning all six matches and sealing the title with a thrilling 20–18 victory over the host institution, ABU Zaria, in the final.
In the group stage, BUK recorded a 10–0 win against Northwest University, Kano, and defeated the Air Force Institute of Technology 33–20. The team also edged the Federal University of Education, Kano, 11–9, before securing another dominant 10–0 victory over the Federal University of Transportation, Daura. They capped their remarkable run with the narrow 20–18 triumph in the final.
The victory marks BUK’s second championship title in the history of the competition, reinforcing the university’s growing reputation in collegiate sports.
Receiving the team, the Vice-Chancellor congratulated the athletes for bringing pride to the institution and urged them to sustain and surpass their current achievements. He reaffirmed the management’s commitment to strengthening sports development in the university and pledged continued institutional and individual support for the players’ sporting careers.
The presentation ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the trophy and cash rewards to the athletes in recognition of their discipline, teamwork and excellence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State on Tuesday rolled out the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) as part of efforts to strengthen emergency response and improve access to timely healthcare across the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, commended the governor for procuring 20 ambulances for the programme, describing the initiative as a strategic step to align the state with ongoing national emergency health interventions. He noted that a formal inauguration of the scheme would be held at a later date.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf
Dr. Yusuf said the ambulances would play a critical role in transporting pregnant women to hospitals during labour, thereby reducing maternal and infant mortality. He added that any patient conveyed to a hospital through the scheme would have their transportation costs covered by the government.
He also called on members of the Guild of Medical Directors to support the initiative by procuring additional ambulances to complement government efforts.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf inspecting the ambulances
According to the commissioner, the vehicles are expected to respond to distress calls within the shortest possible time, ensuring prompt medical attention for residents in need.
Dr. Yusuf further stated that KN-SEMSAS would provide free, coordinated pre-hospital and emergency care services statewide. He described the establishment of the system as a major milestone in strengthening emergency medical response, reducing preventable deaths, and improving access to life-saving care for the people of Kano State.
The event was attended by the Director-General of the Drugs and Medical Consumables Agency, Pharmacist Ghali Sule; the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KASCHMA), Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar; and the Director-General of the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC), Prof. Mahmoud Adamu Abbas.
Group Picture
Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of various stakeholders, including the Lafiya Project, the Kano State Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM), and the Kano State Fire Service, among others.
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GATCOSA President, Prof. Kabiru Isa Dandago is dead
BUK clinches Northwest 3×3 basketball title at ABU Zaria
Kano rolls out emergency medical services, deploys 20 Ambulances
APC constitutes committees for Kano state congress
Lami Maccido, first person to appear on screens of NTA Kano, CTV 67, dies at 72
Kano begins Ramadan food distribution as Gov. Yusuf constitutes feeding committee
Kano Police announce movement restrictions ahead of assembly by-elections
K-SAFE appeals to Kano Executive Council to pass revised education bill
