Headlines
Over 300,000 children not immunised in Kano – UNICEF
Nasiru Yusuf
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have said over 300,000 children are yet to be immunised against childhood killer diseases in Kano state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Rahama Mohammed Farah, UNICEF’s Chief Field Officer in Kano state, revealed this on Thursday during a media briefing on the organisation’s State of the World Children’s (SOWC) 2023, themed ‘Immunisation and Zero Dose situation in Kano Field office states’.
According to him, the figure represent 55 per cent of over 600,000 yet-to-be immunised children in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states.
Farah said the children are scattered across 44 local government areas (LGAs) with majority resident in Kano state followed by Jigawa and Katsina.
He added that the victims are in remote and out-of-reach of normal health system areas.
“We in UNICEF are very concerned about the zero dose number of children not immunied in the three states of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa under the Kano field office.
UNICEF Says COVID Disruptions Left 67 Million Children Without Vaccines
“We are concerned because this is the basic fundamental child rights in terms of having access to immunisation services.
“We know that globally, children are dying because they don’t have access to preventable diseases vaccination.
“And this is a major concern for us in Nigeria and Kano in particular.
“Over 600,000 children who missed first dose of immunisation are in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States.
“Over 300,000 of the children who are in Kano, represents 55 per cent.
“We have 26 per cent of the children in Jigawa state and 19 per cent in Katsina state.
“We are calling on every community leader, policy makers to put hands together to build partnership and reduce the high number of children not immunised against the child killer diseases.
“We are calling on the government to increase investment in health system to reach out to the children.
“We also call for community engagement in terms of creating demand and build the confidence on the effectiveness of the vaccines,” Farah added.
In her presentation, the UNICEF Health Specialist, Abimbola Aman-Olaniyo said children who are not immunized are vulnerable to preventable diseases and prone to outbreaks as she linked situation to the recent Diphtheria outbreak in Kano state and Celebrospinal meningitis in Jigawa state.
She said the fund plans to reach 250,985 children in Kano, 154,768 and 94,060 children in Katsina and Jigawa States respectively for the year 2023 to reduce the zero dose children.
Meanwhile, the UNICEF Communication Specialist, Samuel Kaalu called on the caregivers to embrace immunisation as it has been proven to be essential, cost effective to prevent diseases and reduce childhood killer diseases.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
Ibrahim Khalil
A dramatic political moment unfolded in Kano on Tuesday as former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje publicly acknowledged Muhammad Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and Chairman of the Kano State Council of Emirs.
KANO FOCUS reports that the unexpected gesture occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Deputy Governor, Murtala Sule Garo, at Government House, Kano—an event attended by top political leaders and traditional rulers.
While delivering his goodwill message, Ganduje addressed Sanusi by his full royal title, drawing immediate attention from dignitaries at the ceremony. The audience responded with loud applause when he greeted the Emir and recognised his position as head of the Kano Emirate Council.
The development is particularly significant given the long-standing rift between the two figures. Sanusi was removed from the throne during Ganduje’s administration, a decision that sparked widespread political and legal controversy at the time.
However, the political landscape shifted following the emergence of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, under whose administration Sanusi was reinstated as Emir of Kano.
Observers say Ganduje’s public acknowledgment signals a possible easing of tensions and may point to broader efforts at reconciliation within Kano’s political and traditional institutions.
The moment has since been described by analysts as a “twist of fate” in Kano politics, where former rivalries appear to be giving way to cautious gestures of respect among key actors.
Cameroon telecom regulator visits NCC for benchmarking exercise
Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Ganduje acknowledges Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, 6 years after dethroning him
Gov. Yusuf to swear in Murtala Garo as Kano deputy governor Tuesday
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
