Headlines
Clerics, traditional rulers committed to address violence against women, girls
Nasiru Yusuf
About 100 interfaith and cultural leaders from across the country have vowed to address the gender based violence in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the leaders the clerics made the declaration at a national dialogue organized by Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) to offer solutions to violence against women and girls (VAWG) in collaboration with Bayero University, Kano (BUK) Centre for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID).
The theme of the dialogue is “Supporting Social Norms Changes and Scaling Up Accountability Commitment Towards Curbing the Prevalence of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG): Moving from Rhetoric to Action.”
Speaking, Chief of Ninzo in Sanga Local Government of Kaduna state, Alhaji Umar Musa, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers said they have a lot to do to check the menace in their respective areas.
He commended WRAPA for the efforts, assuring to continue supporting it to achieve the set objectives.
CAN chairman FCT Reverend Dr. Istifanus Koce and Engineer Bashir Adamu Aliyu noted that both Islam and Christianity prohibits violence against women.
They highlighted that, traditional and cultural norms ,self interest, misinterpretation of religion are at the fore front in promoting gender based violence.
The founder and Chairman, WRAPA Board of Trustees, Justice Fati Abubakar, said that the choice of Interfaith and Culture Leaders was of utmost importance given its over 22 years efforts and campaigns in curbing the prevalence of VAWG.
Mrs Abubakar also said that WRAPA would continue supporting survivors to access justice directly or indirectly through advocacy for legal reforms.
She said: “Religious, traditional leaders and institutions are deeply rooted at all social levels in all communities.
“They command respect, trust and loyalty enabling them to exercise acceptable albeit limited sanctions for social deviations by members in their domains or congregations.
“It is also my appeal that you continue to commit to supporting survivors of violence in private and public spaces by strengthening their abilities and voices to speak out, seek help and access justice.
“We must move from rhetoric to action with everyone playing their roles to achieve as well as demonstrate zero tolerance to Violence Against Women and Girls and its consequences,” Abubakar said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, represented by the DVC, Academics, Dr Sani Gumel, said that programme would assist to strengthen unity and curb the menace in the society.
“The National Dialogue is in conformity with the vision and mission of the university to lead in research and education in Africa and commitment to addressing African development challenges,” he said.
The WRAPA Secretary-General, Hajiya Saudatu Shehu, called for stiffer punishment of perpetrators to serve as deterrent to others.
Shehu said that women required special attention in the society and also called on the society do away with negative norms against women, as well as continue to protect their rights.
In her paper titled ‘ The intersection of social norms and VAWG, identification and evaluation in homes and communities, Professor Aishatu Abdul Isma’il from department of political science Bayero University Kano, identified various forms of violence against women and girls which include discriminatory laws and lack of political participation as well as gender stereotypes.
Others according to the academic are direct physical, psychological and sexualized violence, unpaid care work and segregated healthcare services.
Papers were presented by both Christian and Islamic clerics on the causes of the menace as well as the ways forward.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
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