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Childhood killer diseases: New Incentive sets to immunize 1.5 million infants in 2023
Nasiru Yusuf
An International Non-governmental Organization, New Incentive – All Babies Are Equal, NI-ABAE has set a target to immunize about 1.5 million infants against childhood killer diseases in Nigeria in 2023.
KANO FOCUS The Group’s Stakeholders Relation Director, Nura Muhammad made this known while addressing newsmen shortly after it bi-annual joint stakeholders meeting with stakeholders from North East held in Kano.
Muhammad said it intend to expand and reach the infants within the 11 Northern states where it is implementing the program.
According to him, “NI-ABAE started in 2017 in Katsina, Zamfara and Jigawa States. In 2020, they expanded to Sokoto and Bauchi. Till date, the program has enrolled over 952,138 infants and disbursed over 2.36 billion in Conditional Cash Transfer to caregivers. An independent randomized control trial of NI-ABAE (2017 – 2020) found that the program increases the likelihood that children would be fully immunized by 27 per cent and increases rates of individual vaccinations by 14 to 21 per cent.
“Additionally, the research found that the program contributed to improved timeliness of vaccines as well as improved knowledge of and attitudes towards vaccines among caregivers.
“NI-ABAE encourages each round of vaccines included in nigeria’s routine Immunization schedule. Small cash incentives are distributed to beneficiaries during each of the six routine Immunization visits, conditional on infants receiving, BCG (Newborn), PENTA and PCV (6, 10 and 14 weeks) and MCV vaccines (9 and 15 months). Though these vaccines are the ones minimally required to receive the incentive, all vaccinations in the routine Immunization schedule are encouraged. The caregiver receives N500 for all visits except for the 9-month visit where the incentive is N2,000 upon receiving MCV 1.
“These vaccinations are provided at no cost to the caregivers through govt-supported clinics. The cash incentives help compensate for transportation cost, lost income, and waiting times while creating behavioural change through awareness creation on the benefits of Immunization.
“We create demand for routine immunization as well enlighten the caregivers on the importance of routine immunization in such a way that even when the conditional cash transfer is not there they will bring their infants to get vaccinated.
“So we are equally pushing for the states to ensure that they provide these vaccines so that when caregivers come they get their infants vaccinated.
“Currently, we are implementing in six states namely Katsina, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Bauchi and Gombe. And we are planning to extend to Kano State between now and December. By the first quarter of next year, we will also extend the program to four more states of Kaduna, Adamawa Taraba and Kebbi. We want to be in 11 states which cut across North East and North West by mid next year. And to also enrol 1.5 million infants throughout the year,” the NI-ABAE Stakeholders Relation Director, Nura Muhammad however stated.
In attendance at the stakeholders meeting include Commissioner of Health, Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Health, Executive Directors of State Primary Healthcare Centre Development Agency, among others.
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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