Headlines
NMA raises alarm on doctors brain drain in health sector
Nasiru Yusuf
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State Chapter, has advised the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address the worsening brain drain of medical doctors in Nigeria through reduction of examination fees.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chairman of the chapter, Dr Usman Ali gave the advice at the opening of this Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Kano.
He advised that relevant authorities, such as the Federal Ministry of Health and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria should do everything within their power to minimize the brain drain by reducing examination fees at all levels.
“We advise the relevant authorities the Federal ministry of health, national postgraduate medical college of Nigeria to do all it could to reduce the current worsening brain drain in the country by bringing down examination fees at all levels,” he said.
Dr Ali further reminded the NMA members on the reported cases of monkey pox and the need to ensure necessary precautionary measures as WHO declared it global health emergency.
He stated: “I will like to use this medium to remind us that the monkey pox has also been reported in travelers from Nigeria to other parts of the world, as WHO declares Monkey pox as a global health emergency. We should ensure preventive measures.”
The Chairman also called on the Kano State Government to release the residency training allowances to doctors that are preparing for the forthcoming medical examinations.
According to the Chairman, the theme for this year’s AGM dwells on enhancing financial strength of their members considering the uncertainties, adding that “ the theme of the AGM is Financial Intelligence; A Gateway to Financial Independence. The choice of the theme is appropriate at this time full of uncertainties. This is followed with some scientific session.”
He said his tenure as the NMA Cahirman had consolidated on the success of his predecessors toward improving the welfare of their members in the State.
Describing his tenure in the last two years, the Chairman stated that: “We evolved novel ideas to improve the welfare of our doctors. We formed in addition to the existing ones, a revolving funds committee thereby giving a sense of belonging and responsibility to a wider scope of members spread across the length and breadth of Kano State. These committees have worked tireless to change the phase of the Association positively.”
Dr Ali who commended members of the association for their support and cooperation in leading the affairs of the NMA asserted that five of their members passed on during the period.
“I wish to at this junction express gratitude to your contributions as members of NMA Kano Branch. We have worked tirelessly to run the affairs of NMA Kano we built on the solid foundation of our predecessors and maintained constitutional and traditional obligations of the NMA to the glory of God Almighty for the grace to paddle the ship of the Association in the right direction.
“During this time however, we lost some of our colleagues – Dr. Abdulhamid Isah Dutse, Dr. Abdulmalik Abdulmumin, Dr. Nasiru Isma’il, Dr. Zulkiflu Ismail and Dr. Rabiu Alhassan. May their souls res in Jannatul Firdausi.”
The Chairman further clarified that NMA would not participate in the nationwide proposed protest by the NIgeria Labour Congress (NLC) but would support its affiliates that are affected by the lingering strike in the NIgeria’s public universities.
“We have three of our affiliates that are part of the university system. We have the Association of Medical Doctors in the Academia, those that are teaching clinical students and Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria as well as doctors that work in the University Health Services.
“We have been supporting them in one way or the other and we will continue to support them until the issue is resolved,” he noted.
The AGM, According to Dr Ali, commences on Monday and end on 30th July with election and swearing-in ceremony of new leadership of the NMA in the State.
We Won’t Participate In NLC Protest
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Kano State chapter, has stated that it would not participate in the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) slated for Tuesday and Wednesday to pressurize the government to accede to the demand of the university lecturers.
The chairman of the chapter, Dr Usman Ali, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the association in Kano on Monday.
Usman Ali said although they are not happy with the industrial action in the universities that affect their affiliates in the academia NMA does not have plans to join the protest.
“We have three of our affiliates that are part of the university system. We have the Association of Medical Doctors in the Academia, those that are teaching clinical students, and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria as well as doctors that work in the University Health Services.
“have been supporting them in one way or the other and we will continue to support them until the issue is resolved,” he noted.
He further called on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to address the worsening brain drain of medical doctors in Nigeria.
Dr Ali advised that the relevant authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Health and National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria do everything within their power to minimize the brain drain by reducing examination fees at all levels.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) campaign on Polio vaccine has recorded a positive response in Hotoro North, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that this a result of a renewed collaboration between the Kano State Government, the UNICEF and key community stakeholders with officials reporting a sharp decline in cases of parental resistance.
The campaign comes on the heels of a disturbing resurgence of circulating variant polioviruses in three local government areas, Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa, where three new cases were detected earlier in 2025. These incidents underscored lingering gaps in immunization coverage, largely due to misinformation and resistance from a fraction of parents who previously declined to vaccinate their children.
However, a recent visit by journalists to Hotoro North revealed a striking turnaround in public response. Field reports indicate that growing awareness efforts, powered by religious and traditional institutions, are yielding impressive results on the ground.
Alhassan Iliyasu, Chairman of the Ward Development Committee (WDC) and a member of the local polio taskforce, confirmed that community resistance has significantly dropped.
He recounted that on the third day of the campaign, health teams encountered only four resistant households. After intervention by community leaders, three of the families willingly presented their children for vaccination.
He said “We’re seeing real change.Thanks to continued sensitization and involvement of respected community figures, more parents are seeing the importance of immunization and allowing their children to be vaccinated.”
Umar Ahmad, the Wakilin Hotoro North and representative of the village head, also praised the collective effort. According to him, awareness campaigns are now embedded in local religious and social structures.
“We make announcements in mosques, engage community leaders, and partner with Voluntary Community Mobilizers (VCMs). When there’s a case of non-compliance, we intervene immediately—and by the grace of God, people are now cooperating,” he said.
The campaign’s success has been further echoed by Hauwa Ibrahim, the Assistant Ward Vocal Person, who described the ongoing immunization round as the most positively received in recent years.
“It’s encouraging to see parents themselves approach us to ask why their children haven’t been vaccinated yet. There’s a new wave of awareness, and while a few still hesitate, most become receptive after sensitization,” she explained.
Stakeholders have applauded the multi-tiered approach that combines medical outreach with traditional authority and faith-based messaging. Marked houses and updated immunization records in Hotoro North now serve as tangible proof of progress in a region once burdened by misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
With Kano State intensifying efforts to achieve a polio-free status, Hotoro North now stands as a shining example of what community-driven health campaigns can achieve—highlighting the power of partnership, education, and persistence in defeating one of the world’s most preventable diseases.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Government has signed a contract with TEC Engineering Company Nigerian Limited for the completion of Kankare to Karaye road, linking the villages of Tofa, Rimin Gado, Kabo, and Karaye Local Government Areas.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi on Wednesday signed the contract on behalf of Kano state government.
Barrister Dederi recalled that the project was initially budgeted at N3 billion 15 years ago and had undergone five reviews by previous administrations.
The Attorney General noted that the present administration under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, is committed to completing the project within a specified period.
He said “the signing of the contract is a significant testament to improving our state infrastructure, The project will not only enhance transportation but also Boost economic growth and the quality of life for our citizens.
“We are confident that with the expertise of TEC Engineering Company Nigerian Limited, we will complete this project within the stipulated timeframe.”
In his remarks the Commissioner of Works, Engineer Marwan Ahmad said the project was first awarded in 2010 by the Administration of Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and this is the sixth time the contract has been reviewed.
He noted that the project is in phases, with 7 bridges already completed, and the government has given the contractors an 8-month deadline to complete the second segment.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and the member representing Tofa and Rimin Gado State Constituency.
The Deputy Speaker reiterated that the State House of Assembly would exercise its constitutional oversight function to ensure the timely completion of the project and adherence to the agreed terms.
On his part, Engr. Lee Wu, Managing Director of TEC Engineering Company Nigerian Limited, expressed gratitude to the Kano State Government under Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for recognizing their company’s capabilities.
He pledged to work diligently to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe and solicited the support of traditional leaders and community members for the project’s success.
Also commenting Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu, District Head of Karaye and Turakin Karaye, speaking on behalf of the District Heads of the four Local Government Areas, who grace the occasion expressed gratitude to Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for embarking on this laudable project. He noted that the construction of this vital road will undoubtedly revive economic growth in the area.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has appointed its Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, as the new President of the Council following the death of its former leader, Sheikh Abdul Rasheed Hadiyatullah.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement was made in a statement released by the Council’s Secretary General, Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmed, who described Sheikh Hadiyatullah’s passing on Monday as a profound loss to the Council and the broader Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and beyond.
Offering prayers for the late cleric, the Council noted that Dr Bashir’s appointment was made in line with the organisation’s constitution and established procedures.
“The Vice President, Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar, OON, has been unanimously confirmed as the new President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria,” the statement read. “We express our full confidence in Sheikh Dr Bashir Aliyu Umar’s leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of Shari’ah and justice.”
The Council added that a new Vice President will be announced in due course and called for continued prayers and support from the Muslim community as it pursues its mission to uphold Islamic principles across the country.
Dr Bashir is widely respected in the fields of Islamic studies and Islamic finance. He holds a Ph.D. in Hadith and Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Madinah and has served on several key national and international Shari’ah and Islamic banking committees, including the Shari’ah Advisory Committee of Stanbic IBTC Bank and the Council of Experts on Islamic Banking under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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