News
FOMWAN holds dialogue over harmful practices against women
Nasiru Yusuf
The Deputy National Amirah of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hajiya Habiba Abubakar Mijinyawa has condemned some harmful traditional practices against women and called for a change.
KANO FOCUS reports that Hajiya Mijinyawa made the call at a one-day social dialogue organise to sensitise the general public on the dangers of such practices.
The event, tagged: ‘One-day Social Dialogue with key stakeholders on Sexual Gender Based Violence, Trafficking In Persons and forced Marriage,’ was held in Kano on Friday.
It was organised for participants from Kano, Jigawa and Zamfara States. It was an interactive session which featured group works and presentations from the participants on various topics related to the event’s subject matter.
Cross section of participants
The Deputy Amirah said some negative norms and practices promote violence against women and the girl-child.
Hajiya Mijinyawa, who doubles as the Programme Manager of the association, said the participants were gathered to find a lasting solution to such practices in the society.
She described sexual harassment, human trafficking and early marriage as worrying issues militating against societal development.
She said they wanted to use the forum to create awareness among the citizens in the community on the problems with a view to eradicating them.
Cross section of participants
On his part, the Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer from the national headquarters of the association, Malam Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, said the project is a five year.
Malam Abubakar said they used the occasion to see how they could strengthen the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the three states in converting child trafficking, child early forced marriage as well as those issues having to do with gender base violence.
He said among the stakeholders, they identified religious leaders, traditional in stitutions, the CSOs, people with disabilities and women as critical to the success of the programme.
Cross section of participants
He said they brought them together to share ideas that would shape the society in ensuring that those issues were tackled to the barest minimum.
“The project started this year 2022 even though others started last year 2021 but it is going to finish by the year 2025,” he said.
Highlighting on the presentation he made on safeguarding, he said it was necessary, adding that: “This is because sometimes, people forget to understand the situation they find themselves.
Cross section of participants
“So, we concentrate more on those victims and survivors, whereas some of those issues we are advocating for also happen within our work space.”
“The presentation focuses on those who are giving the services so that they will not find themselves in the situation.
“Because when you look at issues of discrimination, sexual harassment and all of that, they also happen in work places,” he said.
Malam Abubakar explained that the presentation was to ensure that: “We don’t fall trap of what we preach to others.”
Cross section of participants
According to him, as the project is for everyone, they build the capacity of not only the CSOs; they also try to those from the judiciary as they are interlinked.
“So we also interface with judges, the alkalis and Imams so that when it comes to their tables, they understand the best way on how issues can be addressed fully.
“But going forward, we have identified the media as critical stakeholders as they amplify the voices of those who are voiceless less,” Malam Abubakar said.
Also speaking to KANO FOCUS, Communication Officer of FOMWAN and Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Project, Malam Suleiman Mukhtar, said before gathering the participants, they conducted a situational analysis on the three states on the matter.
He said they found out that there were retrogressive cultures taking place in those states that seemed to create a ground for sexual and gender base violence, trafficking in persons, child and early forced marriage in the three states.
Cross section of participants
As a result, he said they saw the need to strengthen knowledge of the stakeholders CSOs, community and religious leaders, legal practitioners and the media to carry out the awareness campaign.
Malam Mukhtar said they engaged in the social dialogue in order to gather a mixture of the various stakeholders to interact from the training done in the past on how to create workable solutions to the problems.
He therefore stressed that it is very important for every person in the society to say no to such retrogressive cultures and adulterated religious practices that seem to be stumbling blocks to a progressive society where they were trying to eradicate social and gender base violence, trafficking in persons and forced marriage.
A participant from Kano state branch of the Joint Association of People with Special Needs Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada pledged to step down the training to other members of the association who were not opportune to be at the occasion so that they would be fully aware of what they are expected to do on the matter.
Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada
He said they are supported by some lawyers who render free service to them, urging members of the association to forward issues on the subject matter for appropriate actions to be taken by the association.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced measures aimed at protecting smaller telecommunications operators from unfair competition by larger industry players through the release of a draft Business Rules framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
KANO FOCUS reports that the Commission has also invited operators and other stakeholders to submit comments and recommendations on the proposed regulations before their final adoption.
According to the NCC, the draft framework is designed to prevent dominant Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) from using pricing strategies or operational delays to frustrate smaller operators and virtual network providers operating within the telecommunications sector.
The Commission noted that the proposed rules would promote fair competition, protect the interests of emerging operators, and strengthen operational standards across the industry.
As part of its stakeholder engagement process, the NCC has requested industry participants and interested parties to submit feedback on the draft framework on or before June 29, 2026.
The Commission also announced plans to hold a public consultation forum on July 9, 2026, where stakeholders’ submissions and recommendations will be reviewed and considered before the final implementation of the rules.
According to the NCC, the new regulations are intended to create a level playing field for all operators, encourage healthy competition, and accelerate growth within Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.
Key provisions of the proposed framework include strict onboarding timelines, fair pricing mechanisms, revenue-sharing arrangements, and mandatory compliance requirements for telecommunications operators.
Under the draft rules, host network operators will be required to acknowledge MVNO connection requests within 10 days and provide feedback on technical readiness within 20 days.
The framework further stipulates that all technical and commercial agreements between host operators and MVNOs must be concluded within 120 days to prevent unnecessary delays in market entry and operations.
To ensure equitable participation in the market, the NCC has also proposed benchmark pricing structures covering data services, voice calls, SMS, and USSD services.
The Commission believes the pricing model will help prevent dominant operators from engaging in anti-competitive practices that could force smaller virtual operators out of the market.
In addition, the proposed regulations introduce a tiered operational framework that clearly defines the scope, responsibilities, and operational boundaries of different categories of operators within the telecommunications ecosystem.
Industry stakeholders are expected to make further contributions to the framework before its final adoption by the Commission.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
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