Headlines
NUj condemns Majority Leader’s alleged assault on Leadership reporter
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, expressed displeasure over the alleged assault on the reporter of leadership newspapers Abdullahi Yakubu by the majority leader in the House of representatives, Alhassan Doguwa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday jointly signed by the chairman of the union Abbas Ibrahim and his secretary Abba Murtala.
The statement said “as the matter is already before the Judiciary and the police, we hope a thorough investigation Will be conducted to unveil the truth just as the NUJ has set up a three man committee for independent scrutiny of the matter.
“We wish to remind politicians that Journalists are partners in progress in ushering a virile democracy come 2023 while our members must also strive to stick to their professional code of ethics at all times.
“The existing cordial relationship between the Kano State government, politicians and Journalists is unrivaled and a departure wil not augur well to all,” he said.
It will be recall that Doguwa had on Tuesday allegedly assaulted the leadership reporter during a Press Conference at his residence.
Court directs Police to investigate Doguwa for criminal assault
The Chief Magistrate Court 24 Gyadi-Gyadi Kano has directed the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone one to conduct a discrete investigation on criminal assault against Mr Doguwa.
The directive followed a complaint lodged before the court by Mr Yakubu through his counsel, Bashir, Umar & Co. Legal Practitioners and Corporate Consultant.
In the letter addressed to the AIG Zone one dated 1st November 2022, signed by the Registrar of the Court a copy of which was made available to PREMIUM TIMES reads in part, “I am directed by the Presiding Chief Magistrate Court 24, A.B. Wali Complex, Gyadi-Gyadi Kano, to write and request you, to conduct discrete investigation against House of Reps member representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.
“Upon lodging direct complaint before the court by the counsel to the complainant, Bashir, Umar and Co. ℅ Malam Abdullahi Yakubu of Sharada quarters. Attached herewith is the copy copy of the complaint,” the letter said.
However, in the letter of complaint to the court, the counsel to the complainant said, “We act as solicitors to Malam Abdullahi Yakubu of Sharada Quarters Kano Municipal (hereinafter referred to as our Client) pursuant to his specific mandate and instruction we write to you this letter of complaint.
“It’s our humble brief that our client is professional journalist working with Leadership Newspaper here in Kano acting as Kano Bureau Chief Leadership newspaper.
“That on 1st November, 2022, our client together with some of his professional colleagues were at the residence of the above mentioned member of House of Representatives, based on his invitation for him to clear his name through our media on trending story on social media accusing him of assaulting the former commissioner for local government and deputy governorship candidate of APC (Murtala Sule Garo) in the state.
“However, it was in the process of his narration concerning the episode at the deputy governor’s house where the incident between him and Murtala Sule Garo took place.
“That he became so provoked to the extent that he vowed to send his boys to destroy all the billboards and banners belonging to Gawuna/Garo for governorship and deputy governor.
“On noticing how he became furious, our client then took the bull by the horn to begged him not to take the law by his own hand instead of him to listened to our client and acted appropriately he used his right hand and gave our client a deadly blow on his right ear.
“In fact since then our client lost his good health our client encountered serious problems with his eardrums, tempanic membrane, excessive headache, general body pain and many more are some of the health issues our client is facing now.
“In view of the foregoing, we urge you Sir to order the office of AIG Zone one Kano to investigate the case and bring the said Hon. Alhaji Alhassan Ado Doguwa to justice.”
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.
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.
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.
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