Headlines
PERL engages Kano officials on good governance
Nasiru Yusuf
Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) under its Accountable, Responsible and Capable (ARC) pillar, in Kano State has conducted a governance assessment programme for Kano state government’s officials.
KANO FOCUS reports that the programme which was funded by Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) was conducted between Monday and Tuesday in Kano metropolis.
The programme featured thorough deliberations, focus group discussion/data collection.
Speaking at the occasion, the state leader of PERL – ARC, Malam Auwalu Hamza, said more productivity was expected from the civil servants, adding that as such they should have a good mental skill and be ready for the service.
He urged them to really be productive and take personal development seriously, for them to be able to develop themselves.
“Civil servants should not cage themselves in one place.
“They should widen their horizon to think for their future life, especially after retirement.
“If you get frustration from civil service, you better get yourself out of it,” he suggested to them.
On his part, the Deputy National Programme Manager of PERL/ARC, Moses Salami, spoke on the mandate of PERL in helping the ability to hold leaders accountable, make them responsive and capable In governance process.
He said the organisation was concerned on how leaders were responding to the needs of the citizens.
Mr. Salami stressed the need to further strengthen the system on accountability thematic areas, noting that the state government was very committed in making education accessible to the citizens of the state.
In his goodwill message, the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation of the state Ministry of Planning and Budget, Malam Abbas Ilyasu Karaye appreciated PERL for the partnership in strengthening governance process in the state.
Malam Karaye noted that PERL had ensured effective accessibility in the areas of health and education, urging the participants to provide adequate information/data in the thematic areas.
He said qualitative data was needed to achieve the objectives, renewing appreciation to FCDO – PERL for its unflinching support to the development of the state.
He explained that the event, would, in the area of monitoring and evaluation, in crease their activities in the areas of water, health and education.
He told the gathering that the event was held in collaboration with Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) and Lafiya Projects.
Speaking in the same vein, the State Team Leader of PLANE, Malam Umar Lawan, represented by the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Officer, Malam Umar Muhammad, expressed delight with the conduct of the exercise.
Also, Malam Abdulkadir Kabara of Lafiya Project, described the exercise as a good development and timely.
He said it was a good support to sectors, like education and health, adding however that it would give an opportunity to the government to understand its loop holes and improve upon.
The PERL consultant, Dr. Adeboye Adeyemo, who said the exercise was evidence-based, used the occasion to shower encomiums on Malam Auwalu Hamza, the state leader of PERL-ARC, for his love to civil servants, describing him as a lover of PDP – meaning Personal Development Programme.
The objective of the event was to engage partners in the state in the education and health sectors on the governance assessment process by conducting focus group discussion and data collection for the reporting period of 2022.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) has recorded 37% increase in number of its enrolees in the last 15 months.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Rahila Aliyu Mukhtar revealed this during a consultative engagement with organised labour on how to improve the healthcare service in the scheme.
She explained that, the primary services accessed by the enrolees under the scheme from 2022 to second quarter of 2024 stands at 1,852,485, while secondary healthcare services accessed stands at 28, 932 across the engaged healthcare providers.
In his remark, the Commissioner State Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf assured government support and commitment toward the successful implementation of the scheme and general improvement of healthcare services.
On his part, the State Head of Service Alhaji Abdullahi Musa said Kano state government government attached priority attention to the welfare of workers, adding that, the Contributory Healthcare scheme was not meant for workers alone but all residents of Kano.
He also solicited the support and cooperation of labour unions in order to move KSCHMA to greater height.
Also speaking the chairman Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) Kano state council Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, said that, the union being the major contributor of the scheme would not fold it arms while their members suffered in accessing the needed care.
He reiterated their commitment to ensure that their members received what they deserved by the healthcare providers.
Highlight of the event include paper presentation and group work on implementation of the scheme; challenges and recommendation.
A statement sent to KANO FOCUS by the public relations officer of the agency Nura Muhammad Yusuf said the workshop was conducted with support from FCDO Lafiya.
Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations Children’s Fund has trained over 40 educational stakeholders under the Educational and Youth Empowerment Project (EYE).
KANO FOCUS reports that the participants undergone two day training on school safety, security, and climate literacy to ensure effective teaching and learning as well as safety of schools in the North West.
The state education facilitator of EU EYE, Aisha Abdullahi, said that the programme is funded by the European Union and supported by UNICEF, while the education partners such as the federal and state ministry of education, SUBEB, and other education stakeholders implemented the program.
She explained that the two-day programme is to train EYE teachers from various local governments and schools who will step down the training to their colleagues on school safety.
On his part, Cacsar Akuduke Executive Director of Talents in Children Promotion, said a lot of schools are not safe, and the program tends to address the shortcomings, building more knowledge and awareness among the stakeholders in education in the provision of the necessary guidelines as contained in the minimal standard for safe schools.
He added that although there are no cases of violence or serious attacks in schools in Kano State, the training will assist the participants with precautionary measures.
In his message, the Kano State Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa, who was represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Hajiya Halima Sadiyya Tukur, said that their efforts have significantly and vividly improved access to quality education for many children, particularly those in underserved communities by addressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher training, and gender disparities in education, adding that UNICEF has helped in creating a brighter future for these young learners.
The commissioner said the positive changes resulting from government initiatives will undoubtedly have a long-term effect on the lives of children and the overall development of the state.
He corroborated that their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive is commendable.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A Kano based Non-Governmental Organisation, Bridge Connect Africa Initiative has launched Women Against Violence Empowerment through Sustainability (WAVES) project – a five month capacity building initiative focused on supporting survivors of gender-based violence, those at risk, and women involved in small-scale agribusinesses in Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chief Operating Officer of the group, Fatima Musa Aliyu unveiled the project on Tuesday.
She said, “We are dedicated to protecting women and girls from all forms of violence. Over the past five years, BCAI has been a leading advocate for women and girls in Kano State, addressing gender-based violence and other harmful practices that disproportionately affect them.
“Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CPRLI), the WAVES project aims to foster a thriving ecosystem of empowered women in Kano, promoting economic security and combating gender-based violence (GBV) through training in GBV prevention, financial literacy, business development, and sustainable agricultural practices.
“According to UNICEF, women and girls face significant gender Inequalities, with 1 in 3 women reporting experiences of GBV. Between November 2022 and February 2023, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) recorded 171 cases of GBV.
“According to another report by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kano State Chapter, Kano State WARAKA Sexual Assault Refferral Center documented over 4,000 cases of sexual violence in the last five years.”
She added that evidence shows that societal norms, economic challenges, and even climate change are some of the factors among others that keep many women trapped in cycles of poverty and dependence, increasing their risk of gender-based violence. While some seek survival through small-scale agribusiness, their efforts are often hindered by limited skills and market access, leading to continued vulnerability and exploitation.
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