Headlines
90% of Kano legislators employ non-Hausa ladies as secretaries in National Assembly – Dr Kani

Nasiru Yusuf
An academic with Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso, Dr Abdussalam Muhammad Kani alleged that over 90% of legislators from Kano employed non-Hausa ladies as secretaries in their personal office at National Assembly.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dr Kani made the allegation during a one day workshop on analysis and tracking of federal education budget 2022, held at Zawaciki quarters, Kano.
Dr. Kani who was also a former legislative aide, said although each member of national assembly is entitled to employ five legislative aides, many legislators do not abide by this provision.
He observed that each member receive money to open office in his constituency to serve as a link between l and their constituents.

In his presentation titled: Budget tracking and Analysis as a tool for promoting accountability and citizens engagement, Dr. Kani said, citizens have a vital role to play in budget tracking and project implementation.

Dr Abdussalam Muhammad Kani
He described independent critical analysis on government spending and increased access to budget decision making as some of the ways to make budget effective.
On bridging the communication gap between ministry for budget and planning, Director programs youth and environmental development association (YEDA), Malam Abdullahi Y. Sule called for synergy with ministries and stakeholders to create awareness.
He Maintained that citizens engagement is paramount to a successful budget implementation as it will pave way for identification for specific needs and aspirations of the people.
“The consultations are an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the proposed driving force of the budget”
In his presentation the co -chair Kano state Accountability forum on Education, Professor Muhammad Bello Shitu advised people to engage in budget analysis, tracking and monitoring at the grassroots level to promote transparency and accountability.
According to him, the workshop was organized to build capacity of members on budget analysis,tracking and monitoring.
Professor M.B Shitu who doubles as team leader Inclusive Community Education and Development Association, said, the practical session focused attention on budget segments of local governments within the five emirate councils in the state,

Professor M.B Shitu
He explained that the findings would be brain stormed with civil society and community based organizations at the grassroots level to achieve the desired objectives.
“We are also engaged in practical sessions on an existing budget particularly the federal education budget 2022”

Cross section of participants
KANO FOCUS reports that,the event tagged : Analysis and tracking of federal education budget 2022: witnessed large turn out of academicians, students ,people with special needs,CBOs, CSOs and all relevant stakeholders in the education sector.

Headlines
Gov Yusuf rejects tribunal judgement, heads to appeal court

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.

Headlines
Kano records 5,800 cases of Diphtheria – UNICEF

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.

Headlines
IPAC appeals to Kano governorship tribunal to be impartial

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.
