Opinion
Kano governorship debate: A medical doctor’s appraisal
Abdullahi Dahiru
I listened to the debate between some leading candidates for gubernatorial election organised by BBC Hausa service yesterday. I have also listened to some of the candidates other engagements with some professional groups and other stakeholders that promote democracy and good governance.
I have also seen various comments about performance of the candidates with many analysts grading the candidates.
But I think we are missing some major issues:
1. There is acute shortage of portable water in many parts of Kano metropolis. The metropolis has been expanding very rapidly in recent years with many new settlements springing up. There is no provision of portable water for this communities. In old neighborhoods of old Kano city like my native Yakasai and Kankarofi wards, people have not seen portable water for several years. People resort to constructing bore hole wells to get water supply. Many of the bore holes have died up. People now depend on commercial water vendors for supply. I once read s statistic that metropolitan Kano needs about 700 million litres of water per day. When the water treatment plans are working optimally they can only supply about 300 million liters per day. In the last 10 years there was no new water treatment plan constructed to mitigate the problem. None of the candidates talked about water supply in all the engagements I listened to.
2. The issue of refuse disposal and sanitation is another problem affecting Kano metropolis. There are places designated by communities and government for refuse disposal which is not hygienic. You would see heaps of refuse in places like New Court road that’s hazardous. There was a time commercial refuse disposal companies were licensed to assist government in refuse management. Those companies work in GRAs and many areas outside the old city. Nobody is compelling residents to subscribe to the companies. The companies charge about N1500 per house over month. But many people in those areas dump their refuse outside making the work of the companies meaningless. How do we address that issue? None of the candidates talked about refuse management in the engagements I listened to.
3. The candidates talked about education. All of them promised to continue with free education in primary and secondary schools. We know that the policy has not been effective. Some of the candidates gave statistics about number of depicit classes we have-about 7000 according to one of the candidates. He promised to address the depicit. Is that possible? Where would be get the money? How about promising to reduce the deficit by certain percentage in four years? Many of them talked about employing more teachers. But do we honestly think government would pay N30,000 as salary to a primary school teacher per month and he would put his best effort? Some of the candidates talked about free uniforms and instruction materials? Is that possible?
Many pupils sit on the bare floor. Nobody talked about that. I think we can come up with a policy where government would give a sample of prototype chair and desk for the parents to construct for their kids and become their possession till they leave the schools?
4. Health is another major issue discussed. Many candidates promised to continue with free maternal services. We know currently the number of women assessing those services greatly outweigh the supplies of consumables. So in many instances there are challenges and women have to be asked to buy consumables. We can change the policy from ‘free’ to ‘subsidized’ maternity services where the women would deposit a small amount of money say N5000 while government would provide additional funds. The woman would then be guaranteed of having optimal service. The candidates talked about recruiting more health workers. None of them discussed the brain drain happening. If government recruits 20 medical officers, many of them would leave the service in few years. How do we ensure that the health workers would stay in the service? Definitely the salary and allowances have to be improved. In rural areas, good accommodation has to be provided.
The postgraduate trainings in some of the hospitals in the state already established has to he strengthened. The hospitals need to charge some money for services like issuing of cards to allow them generate revenue to provide cards, stationaries and cleansing materials.
5. Agriculture was another issue discussed. None of the candidates talked about provision of fertilizers, seeds and extension services to the farmers. One of them talked about herculean promise of converting all the ponds in the metropolis to places where crops would be grown. Where are the ponds now? He said he would construct channels in all the dams to facilitate irrigation. That’s fine. How many channels are going to be constructed and in how many years?
6. Trade and commerce was not even major part of the discussions. A candidate talked about discussing with banks for interest free loans to businessmen. That’s a good idea. We need to establish more banks in the rural areas because there are few banks in rural LGAs.
7. There was no discussion on indiscriminate establishment of settlements in Kano metropolis which has become a big problem. Nobody talked about that. Government has to establish more layouts and also give permission to private developers to develop lands in commercial quantity to address the issue of indiscriminate settlements. The settlements already established have to be redesigned to provide access roads, clinics etc.
8. We may need a law to prohibit allocation of lands in premises of schools, public and government buildings.
In summary, I think almost all the candidates discussed the problems we already know and promised to use the methods we were using to address them, which have failed in the past or have not been able to optimally address the challenges or same superfluous things that may not work. We need to have concrete plans with targets and timelines to address many challenges. The era of free services in institutions like health should go in my own humble view but subsidized services.
This article was first published on Dr Abdullahi Dahiru’s Facebook page.
By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz
On Wednesday, October 2, the Daily Trust newspaper came out with the long overdue public apology to the Federal Government over its erroneous reporting of July 4, 2024, on the Samoa Agreement. It was a needful closure to a touchy controversy. It is a commendable gesture on part of the Media Trust management. It is not everyone that has the humility to admit wrongdoing. This has now settled the matter and brought to rubbles the scornful allegations contained in the story under reference.
The watery lead story of July 4, 2024 alleged that the Samoa Agreement, signed by the Federal Government (among other nations that constitute the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, also known as OACPS) with the European Union (EU) contained clauses that promote LGBTQ rights. To make it more salacious the story linked it to an imaginary $150 billion in benefits. Astonishingly, there is nowhere in the story evidence was provided to support both claims. There couldn’t have been as neither LGBTQ (or anything close to it) nor $150 billion was mentioned anywhere in the bulky multilateral document.
In its apology, Daily Trust said it agreed wholly with the verdict passed by the independent panel constituted by the Nigerian Media Complaint Commission (NMCC). The panel’s report released on September 23, 2024, following interrogation of the Federal Government’s complaint, was unequivocal. “The NMCC finds that the 403-page Samoa Agreement does not contain any clause that compels underdeveloped and developing nations to support the agitations by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community for recognition as a condition for getting financial and other supports from advanced nations. Indeed, there is no reference whatsoever in the agreement to the issue of LGBTQ.”
I was appalled by the story first as a professional, before anything else. My social media post on the day it was published harped on its lack of the rudimentary journalistic requirement, viz. evidence. It was a comment I could have made even if I were not in government. Frankly, it is still a wonder how that story passed the crucible of the Trust newsroom, where I had worked and knew the editorial rigour.
Expectedly, the story whipped up tempers. Tongues were set wagging, mostly in one direction and, because the story came from a medium trusted for its journalism, everyone –except for discerning professionals–took it to be the gospel truth. Fortunately, or not, the story came out on Thursday. For its socio-religious sensitivity, it instantly became the main topic of discussion everywhere, especially in the Muslim North. Our dear imams were enraged. I don’t blame them because, again, the story came from Trust!
As if the anger wasn’t enough, some opposition figures followed the fire with more tinder. They went about mobilizing some religious leaders overnight to come out hard on the government. The next day most of the imams went to the minbar writhing with anger armed only with the wrong information. They poured out invectives at a government they supported but which was now “courting calamity greater than the economic hardship” on its people, as one of them put it. President Tinubu, the administration and all of us working with it were anathematised for “selling out the country to promoters of LGBTQ”. There was nothing the government couldn’t do for money, it was said. The congregants left the mosques angrier.
In the ensuing days, professionals and media organisations, some of them known to be very critical of the current administration, came out to fault the reporting as lacking in merit. Those who gave outright verdicts against the Daily Trust story either through fact-checks or analyses include the BBC, PREMIUM TIMES, The Punch, Prof Farooq Kperogi, a Daily Trust columnist – Dr Suleiman A. Suleiman, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others. The expectation was for a clear and immediate retraction, as it was clear that the paper got it wrong. Bouyed by the emotional sermons and partisan support from some quarters, the paper held on despite acknowledging “lapses in our reporting”.
In the wake of the controversy, we went through great pains trying to explain why there was no wolf around the Samoa Agreement as the drafters of the Daily Trust story wanted Nigerians to believe. I asked: In what ways had the agreement altered provisions of the Nigerian laws on LGBTQ? What are the practical implications that indicate support? I got accursed, rather than answers. It was painful to see almost everyone, especially up North turn their back against reason choosing to go with the contorted story that failed to quote even a line from the agreement to support its claims.
Exasperating as it was, I don’t blame the clergy and the larger public for the harsh judgement. The blame lies squarely on the doorstep of Trust. And this is the purpose of this post-mortem piece. Journalistic powers are akin to those of a soldier with a gun. Releasing the trigger in the wrong direction could kill or maim the innocent, and no amount of apology or even reprimand of the culprit could cure the loss suffered by the innocent. This is why the old principle that says “if you’re in doubt, leave it out” is evergreen for journalism practice. As professionals, we know pretty well that rebuttal or retraction can never attain the mileage of the original. There are still multitudes out there that will not change opinions formed from the first story.
It is for this reason that responsible journalism is non-negotiable because as the great old Philip L. Graham, publisher of The Washington Post once said, “Journalism is the first rough draft of history.” That rough draft often has a way of sticking even if subsequent events invalidate its premise.
Yes, accountability journalism is a sine qua non for healthy democracy. However, as the legal maxim goes, he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Accountability journalism is not a byword for stone-throwing because when all you do is throw stones you end up causing more harm than good. We must, at all times, ensure the sanctity of truth, fairness, and public good. As the celebrated American war reporter, Edward R. Murrow said, “[T]o be credible we must be truthful.”
As close with the bon mot from the grand Sardauna, Sir Ahmadu Bello, while admonishing the founding team of the New Nigerian Newspapers; “Tell the truth about us, tell us the truth about others”. We ask for no more.
Abdulaziz is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Print Media.
Opinion
No Smoke Without Fire: Urgent Action Needed to Address FIRS’ Reckless Disruption of Healthcare in Kano
An open letter to the presidency
“There’s no smoke without fire” …Prompt action must be taken hook, line and sinker immediately.
Assalamu Alaikum, Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you.
To President Tinubu, Hon. Minister of Health, Stakeholders and all Health Practitioners of Nigeria.
I am bitterly compelled to write to you today regarding a disturbing incident that transpired at Best Choice Specialist Hospital in Kano city.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) actions at this private hospital have demonstrated a blatant disregard for human life.
Patients and parents have reported to Alfijir Newspaper that operatives of FIRS with officials, armed with guns, stormed the hospital, threatening and forcing them to vacate the premises.
The general plebeians already vulnerable due to illness, were left to wander the streets of Kano in search of alternative healthcare, only to find that many medical facilities were unavailable due to an ongoing doctors’ strike.
It is unacceptable that the FIRS dispute with the hospital should infringe upon citizens’ right to healthcare.
This conflict affects not only the hospital but the people who seek medical attention.
Best Choice Specialist Hospital is renowned for its philanthropic efforts and commitment to providing quality healthcare to the most vulnerable members of our society.
The hospital’s management has consistently demonstrated compassion and empathy, offering free medical services to those who cannot afford them.
Their selflessness has saved countless lives and alleviated suffering.
The hospital’s community outreach programs have provided vital healthcare services to rural areas, addressing pressing health concerns such as maternal and child mortality.
Their collaboration with local organizations has facilitated health education, disease prevention, and awareness campaigns.
Moreover, Best Choice Specialist Hospital has been at the forefront of disaster response, providing emergency medical care during times of crisis.
Their staff’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in saving lives and mitigating the impact of devastating events.
We urge the leaders of our great nation and the Human Rights Commission to take immediate action against this abuse of power.
Furthermore, We also implore the FIRS to reconsider their approach, recognizing that their rights do not supersede those of others.
“If your own children were in need of medical care, would you not prioritize their well-being above all else?”
Solemnly we request all the stakeholders to intervene to prevent future incidents and ensure the hospital can continue its lifesaving work.
We await your prompt response and resolution on to this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief, Alfijir Online Newspaper.
Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri Anipr
Air Peace, once renowned for its efficient service, has seemingly lost its footing in the Nigeria aviation industry. My recent ordeal on Flight P47425 from Kano to Abuja was a true picture that shows this decline.
Initially scheduled to depart at 9:55 pm on Monday, September 23, 2024, my flight was cancelled twice. The first notification read:
“Dear passenger, your Flight P47425 from Kano to Abuja…has been moved and will now depart at 14:40 on 23/09/2024 due to operational reasons.”
Upon arriving at the airport at 2:00 pm, I received another message.
Your flight is now rescheduled for 10:35pm due to same operational reasons.
Later at 10:00 pm, I collected my boarding pass and waited in the departure lounge, only to be informed of another delay.
At midnight, Air Peace Abuja-bound passengers protested the boarding of Lagos-bound passengers, demanding two aircraft be made available. After a tense standoff, aviation security personnel intervened, and both flights eventually departed around 1:16am.
My flight, which lasted a mere 34 minutes, landed peacefully at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 2:16 am. However, the journey was far from peaceful.
Air Peace’s struggles with operational efficiency have compromised passenger experience. Air travelers expect better communication, timely departures, and hassle-free flights. Air Peace must address these issues to regain passenger trust.
The airline must Improve communication regarding flight changes and delays and respect rescheadule timings.
They should enhance operational efficiency to minimize delays.
The management of air peace must provide adequate aircraft, staffing and resources to manage passenger flow or better still fold up and get out of business to save the country’s reputation in the eyes of other countries nationals traveling out domestic routes inland.
While my flight landed safely, the experience was marred by delays, chaos, and poor communication. Air Peace must prioritize passenger satisfaction to reclaim its reputation as a reliable carrier.
Yusha’u Hamza Kafinchiri Anipr,
Writes from Kadinchiri, Garko LGA,
Kano State.
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