Headlines
FG empowers 42 persons living with disabilities in Northwest
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal Government has begun a three-day entrepreneurship skills development programme for 42 Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) across the seven states in the North-West, to enhance their economic empowerment and livelihoods.
KANO FOCUS reports that the states are Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara.
The training exercise was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouk, stated this at the inauguration of the exercise on Wednesday in Kano.
She said that six participants drawn from each of the seven states of the region would get N100,000 each as start-up capital.
Umar-Farouq said that elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against PWDs and empowering them economically through provision of skills training would go a long way in paving the way for unbundling their full potentials.
The minister represented by Mrs Nkechi Nwukwe, Director, Special Needs of the ministry, said government was mindful of the importance of disability as a development issue.
“The entrepreneurial skills offer new opportunities for everyone, but these opportunities are especially more significant for PWDs, particularly with an already higthened level of poverty being experienced among PWDs in Nigeria and it’s attendant consequences.
“Our gathering here today is to enable us to explore greater possibilities in our collective quest to combat challenges confronting the advancement of persons with disabilities for sustainable national development.
“I understand that livelihood interventions are critical to addressing economic challenges and therefore the present administrations goal of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2029 cannot be achieved without full involvement of persons with disabilities,” she said.
She said the participants would be exposed to modern techniques in fish farming, phone repairs and cosmetic production.
The minister urged the beneficiaries to be active in confronting the challenges of disability with determination, courage and confidence.
“I, therefore, want to encourage the participants to be active, alive and firmly confront the challenges of disability with determination, courage and confidence.
“I implore you to maximise the opportunities of this workshop to improve your livelihood and also contribute your quotas to nation building,” she said.
In his remark, Dr Nasir Gwarzo, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said that the workshop was designed to expose the participants to entrepreneurship skills that would make them self-reliant.
Represented by Mr Garba Magaji, the Permanent Secretary said the Federal Government had accorded priority to the care and development of the vulnerable, especially PWDs in the country.
According to him, the training exercise, the third in its series will be implementated across the six geopolitical zones, to address some of the challenges affecting PWDs.
“It will address issues of inclusiveness among PWDs, especially regarding income generating activities, equipping them with necessary skills to ensure sustainable livelihood and developing their entrepreneurial competencies to favourably compete in the business environment,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Zara’u Muhammad, Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, said the state government would continue to adopt proactive measures to enhance support services to the PWDs.
While commending the gesture, Muhammad reitrated the government commitment to empower and support people living with disabilities in the state.
One of the participants, Malam Ali Idi, lauded the gesture, adding that it would empower them to become self-reliant.
Headlines
Kano State Head of Service Denies Claims of Political Rift Behind Senior Civil Service Postings
The Office of the Head of Civil Service in Kano State has strongly rejected a recent news report that linked the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries and Directors to an alleged rift within the ruling party.
In a statement issued on November 6, 2024, Abdullahi Musa, the Head of Civil Service, categorically dismissed the claims as “false, mischievous, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.”
Musa clarified that the recent postings were part of routine administrative procedures aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the state’s civil service. He explained that the moves were necessary to fill vacancies created by the imminent retirements of senior civil servants, particularly the Permanent Secretaries and Directors affected by the annulled tenure elongation plan, set to take effect in December.
“These postings were not influenced by political considerations or interpersonal conflicts,” Musa emphasized. “They are standard administrative actions designed to improve the functionality of our Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).”
The Head of Service also condemned the media report for suggesting that the reshuffling of senior officials was a reaction to a political divide, asserting that such claims were unfounded and aimed at creating unnecessary discord within the state’s leadership.
Musa reaffirmed that the civil service in Kano State remains apolitical and committed to functioning independently of political dynamics. He urged the public and media outlets to rely on verified information and avoid spreading rumors that could undermine the state’s stability.
“The Office of the Head of Civil Service remains fully committed to ensuring the smooth operation of the civil service and fostering a harmonious relationship among all branches of government,” he concluded.
Musa also called on media outlets and citizens to focus on factual reporting and refrain from amplifying false narratives that could erode public trust in the administration’s decisions.
Headlines
Cour order mental evaluation for Kano woman after strange theft case testimony
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano Woman Facing Theft Charges Claims She’s “Above Theft,” Demands 200,000 Naira, and Alleges Stolen Belongings Taken from Her Stomach.
On Tuesday a theft case took an unusual turn at the Sharia Court in Kano’s Kurna area after the defendant, Hajara Ibrahim, made a series of perplexing statements, leading the court to order a mental health evaluation.
Hajara, who was brought before the court on theft charges, declared that she was “above committing theft” and insisted that she would only respond to the accusations if her case were taken before the Emir of Kano.
As the proceedings continued, her behavior grew stranger.
When asked if she had any mental health issues, she ignored the question.
In another exchange, when the judge asked her to identify the ceiling fans in the courtroom, she retorted that no one had the authority to make her look at a fan.
Hajara further shocked the court by demanding 200,000 Naira for “medical expenses” and claimed that some of her belongings had been mysteriously taken from her stomach.
The case took a new twist when a man identified himself as Hajara’s brother and told the court that she had a history of mental health issues.
Based on this information and her erratic behavior, presiding judge Shamsudden Ado Abdullahi instructed the court clerk to send a letter to Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital, requesting a mental health assessment for Hajara.
The judge then adjourned the case to December 9, 2024, awaiting the results of her evaluation.
Headlines
Cour order mental evaluation for Kano woman after strange theft case testimony
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano Woman Facing Theft Charges Claims She’s “Above Theft,” Demands 200,000 Naira, and Alleges Stolen Belongings Taken from Her Stomach.
On Tuesday a theft case took an unusual turn at the Sharia Court in Kano’s Kurna area after the defendant, Hajara Ibrahim, made a series of perplexing statements, leading the court to order a mental health evaluation.
Hajara, who was brought before the court on theft charges, declared that she was “above committing theft” and insisted that she would only respond to the accusations if her case were taken before the Emir of Kano.
As the proceedings continued, her behavior grew stranger.
When asked if she had any mental health issues, she ignored the question.
In another exchange, when the judge asked her to identify the ceiling fans in the courtroom, she retorted that no one had the authority to make her look at a fan.
Hajara further shocked the court by demanding 200,000 Naira for “medical expenses” and claimed that some of her belongings had been mysteriously taken from her stomach.
The case took a new twist when a man identified himself as Hajara’s brother and told the court that she had a history of mental health issues.
Based on this information and her erratic behavior, presiding judge Shamsudden Ado Abdullahi instructed the court clerk to send a letter to Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital, requesting a mental health assessment for Hajara.
The judge then adjourned the case to December 9, 2024, awaiting the results of her evaluation.