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Learning Passport: UNICEF donates 1,430 tablets to 65 schools in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf
The United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with AIRTEL Nigeria has donated 1430 tablets,100 projectors,100 routers and 100 telephone lines to some selected schools in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that the UNICEF Chief of field office in Kano, Mr Rahma Rihood Farah said it has an ambitious goal of reaching 1.5 million Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) users at the end of 2024.
Rahma Rihood Farah who spoke in Kano while handing over materials to support the learning passport initiative said that Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) now has 142,000 active users across 18 states in Nigeria.
Farah who was represented by the senior education specialist, UNICEF Kano field office, Mr Michel Banda revealed that the target of NLP users for Kano State by December 2023 was 75,000 and reach up to 150,000 users by the end of 2024.
UNICEF however lamented that Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) a platform by pupils, teachers and young people in Kano remained extremely low, as only less than 1% (1,280) of the targets for Kano, has been attained in the last six months.
The chief of field office highlighted that UNICEF is working with the federal and states governments, to bring the NLP to more children and young people in states, where it is already launched and active, and in new states across the country, with an ambitious goal of reaching 1.5 million users at the end of 2024.
He said “UNICEF is glad to be part of a solution to learning challenges that face many children today. Through partnerships with Airtel, UNICEF today is glad to witness the handover of these materials which will be enablers to accessing learning beyond the traditional classroom.”
Farah disclosed that “NLP supplements what you learn in class, and can be used to do research and do homework”.
In his remarks, the chairman state universal basic education board (SUBEB) Kano, Dr. Danlami Hayyo who was also represented by the Director of Salaries and Validation, Alhaji Naziru Adamu Wali, reaffirmed SUBEB’s dedication in supporting policies aimed at moving education forward.
He noted that 1430 tabs,100 projectors,100 routers and 100 telephone lines were donated by UNICEF, AIRTEL,microsoft and others, to some selected schools.
In a speech earlier, the NLP team lead, Naziru Surajo, noted that, the Nigeria learning passport (NLP), scheme had promoted the training of teachers, and targets the role of students and teachers, for the past one year.
Speaking on behalf of benefitting schools, the head teacher of Kurna special primary school, Malam Salisu Abidu, described the donation as a major catalyst to uplifting the standard of education in the state.
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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