News
NCC rallies media stakeholders to enhance effective reporting of telecoms industry
Nasiru Yusuf
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Consistent with its strategic objective of stakeholder collaboration and partnering, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently met a section of stakeholders in the mass media industry.
KANO FOCUS reports that the forum was a workshop, organised to keep Nigerian journalists who specialise in reporting the telecom and ICT sector, abreast of emerging developments in the telecom industry, in order to ensure the general public receives contextual, interpretive and illuminating reporting of telecom matters.
The journalists, who attended the workshop under the aegis of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA), Abuja Chapter, reveled in the opportunity provided by NCC to glean emerging trends and topical regulatory issues in the telecom industry.
The workshop was part of NCC’s commitment to encouraging continuous professional development of journalists because the Commission sees good journalism as central, both to the achievement of its mandate and to the flourishing our nation’s democratic project.
The training programme featured intense sessions focused on understanding the renewal the Commission has brought to bear on many major industry issues, including International Termination Rate (ITR) for voice services, benefits of the National Identity Number/Subscriber Identity Module linkage (NIN-SIM integration), the menace of illegal use of GSM boosters, updates on Fifth Generation (5G) deployment plan, spectrum administration, as well as compliance monitoring and enforcement, and other emergent regulatory matters.
Speaking at the workshop, which also featured special focus group discussions facilitated by subject-matter experts and senior officials of the Commission from selected departments of the Commission, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said approval for the training was granted by Management as it is in tandem with the Commission’s media relations and stakeholder engagement strategy.
“Given the dynamic nature of the digital space and its impact on the economy, we believe this demands that our media partners are brought up to speed with the current requirements for maximum productivity and effective reporting of the telecom industry,” Danbatta, who was represented by the Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, asserted to justify the relevance of the workshop.
The EVC said, through capacity-building initiatives such as the workshop organised for professionals in the media industry, “we would build multually-beneficial relationships for sustained media support as we continue to discharge our mandate of regulating this dynamic sector for the benefit of Nigerians and the economy as a whole.”
Accordingly, Danbatta said NITRA is a long-standing strategic partner of the Commission and the knowledge empowerment programme through this workshop seeks to provide a platform for equipping stakeholders in the media with the knowledge and skill sets they require for effective, efficient and professional reporting.
The EVC, who commended the media stakeholders for their support over the years, said, without the support from journalists and other communication professionals, NCC would not have been able to deliver on its mandate as effectively as it is has done over the years.
Accordingly, Danbatta enjoined all members of NITRA to continue to support NCC’s programmes, activities, and initiatives with the same enthusiasm with which they have been prioritising timely, adequate and accurate reportage of the nation’s telecom sector to enhance Nigeria’s growth and development.
Danbatta also stated that the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP) 2020-2025, the NCC Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024, the creation of a Digital Economy Department in the Commission, among others, underscored the policy directions of the Federal Government which the NCC is diligently driving by working with relevant industry stakeholders, including the media, to deepen commitment to a digital Nigeria.
“So, it is expected that by empowering the media as our key stakeholders, they would be willing to ensure that members of public are accurately and adequately informed and are aware of the Commission’s regulatory strides toward building a robust digital economy for our country,” the EVC said.
Speaking on behalf of members of NITRA after the training, the Chairman NITRA, Abuja Chapter, Blessing Olaifa, commended the Commission for providing a platform for sensitisation of media stakeholders on contemporary matters within the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ecosystem, particularly the telecom industry and especially the initiatives of the Commission in protecting telecom’s consumers.
Olaifa, who was represented by NITRA’s Secretary-General, Emmanuel Elebeke, applauded the Commission for consistently supporting and partnering with the media organization.
Olaifa stated that this demonstrates how transparent and accessible NCC has been to its stakeholders.
“We must commend NCC for its regulatory strides over the years. The success of the 5G auction in December last year easily comes to mind as one of the recent achievements of the Commission, among several others.
“So, this capacity-building programmes will help to provide a collaborative partnership for an advanced digital economy and towards boosting the fortunes of ICT for development in Nigeria. Today, we have been thoroughly enlightened as better specialists in ICT journalism,” Olaifa said.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has appointed renowned public health expert, Dr. Aminu Garba Magashi, as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force in a renewed effort to combat substance abuse and related social vices across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with civil society organisations, public health professionals and other stakeholders in tackling the growing menace of drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans by the state government to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
He said the initiative is aimed at ensuring swift justice, strengthening law enforcement and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s extensive experience in public health policy, social protection and community development would enhance the effectiveness of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier and drug-free Kano.
Dr. Magashi is the President of the Africa Health Budget Network and a respected civil society advocate with decades of experience in healthcare, public policy and community development.
As part of efforts to strengthen the task force, Governor Yusuf also approved the inclusion of a representative of the Kano State Sharia Commission in its membership to ensure that its activities conform with Islamic guidance.
The state government said the latest measures form part of broader efforts to address drug abuse, improve public safety and protect communities from the social and economic consequences of substance abuse.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has called on conventional and social media practitioners to promote factual reporting, patriotism and active citizen participation as part of efforts to deepen democracy and strengthen public trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor made the call on Monday while declaring open the maiden Arewa Media Summit held at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano. The summit was organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment in collaboration with the Kano State Government.
A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, quoted Governor Yusuf as saying that the media must remain committed to truth, bridge generational divides, amplify the voices of the people and encourage responsible civic engagement.
He described the theme of the summit, Government, Citizens’ Accord, Accountability, Responsibility and Ethical Media Practice, as timely, noting that it provides an opportunity to strengthen governance, accountability and public confidence through ethical journalism.
According to the governor, responsible journalism and access to credible information are critical to national development and the successful implementation of government policies and reforms.
Governor Yusuf said his administration has continued to support media development by protecting press freedom and creating an enabling environment for journalism to thrive.
He listed the establishment of Northern Nigeria’s first Online Media Chapel, sponsorship of information officers for registration with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), and the registration of journalists with the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB) among the state’s achievements in advancing professional journalism.
The governor also commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for strengthening information management across the country, and praised the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, for promoting professionalism and ethical journalism through the summit.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation said the future of Northern Nigeria depends not only on investments in infrastructure and agriculture but also on credible journalism, responsible communication and effective storytelling.
Also speaking, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the summit was organised to promote accuracy, fairness and professionalism in reporting government activities while strengthening the relationship between government, citizens and the media.
Delivering the vote of thanks, the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Governor Yusuf’s sustained investment in the training and retraining of media practitioners has enhanced journalism practice in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the summit attracted the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo, ministers, lawmakers, academics, media professionals and participants from across Northern Nigeria.
News
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has introduced a free emergency medical treatment programme that provides eligible patients with lifesaving care for the first 48 hours at designated hospitals across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the initiative, being implemented through the Kano State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KN-SEMSAS) under the Ministry of Health, is designed to ensure that victims of medical emergencies receive prompt treatment without financial barriers.
According to information released by the state government, the scheme covers children under the age of five, including newborns with emergency conditions, road traffic accident victims, gunshot injuries, snakebite cases, drowning incidents, fire-related injuries, building collapse victims, communal clash casualties and other weapon-related injuries.
The programme also includes obstetric and neonatal emergency referrals from Kano State’s 18 MAMII local government areas through the SaveMAMA referral system.
Under the initiative, emergency treatment is provided free of charge for the first 48 hours at accredited Emergency Medical Treatment Centres (EMTCs) across the state.
The government advised patients or their relatives to contact the KN-SEMSAS Emergency Call Centre before or immediately upon arrival at an accredited hospital to obtain an authorisation code, while stressing that emergency treatment should not be delayed while the code is being processed.
Residents were urged to use the national toll-free emergency line 112 or the state’s dedicated emergency numbers 09019999920 and 09049999914 to request ambulance services and access the programme.
The accredited hospitals participating in the scheme include Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital (MAWTH), Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, Waziri Shehu Gidado General Hospital, MDS Hospital, Zak Clinic, MGK Hospital and Khadijat Memorial Hospital.
The state government said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and improve access to lifesaving medical services for residents.
It called on members of the public to take advantage of the programme and share information about the emergency treatment scheme to enable more residents to benefit from the free services.
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Gov. Yusuf tasks media on truthful reporting, patriotism
Kano launches free 48-hour emergency treatment scheme for accident victims, other critical cases
K-SAFE hails Gov. Yusuf as Kano tops ECOWAS education spending ranking
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