Headlines
Stakeholders demand 6-months maternity leave for exclusive breastfeeding
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Stakeholders in the maternal health sector in Kano state have urged Kano state government to extend the paid maternity leave period from three to six months as part of moves to provide an enabling environment for continuous breastfeeding.
KANO FOCUS reports that they made the call in Kano during a workshop for the sensitisation of stakeholders on enabling breastfeeding environment for working parents as part of the 2023 World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action’s (WABA) World Breastfeeding Week organised in partnership with Kano State Ministry of Health and FHI360 Alive & Thrive.
The State Team Lead, Alive and Thrive, Dr. Ashiru Hamza Muhammad who led the call said the importance of breastfeeding cannot be overemphasised as it increases the immune, psychological and social development of the child.
“Exclusive breastfeeding within the first 1,000 days is the only investment you can make for a child to let him or her grow healthy and contribute his or her quota to the development of the country,” Dr. Muhammad said.
In his remarks the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kano, Rahama Farah, stressed that only 9% of organisations in the formal sector have a workplace breastfeeding policy, with only 1.5% in the public sector.
Farah said there is an urgent “need to create an environment where working parents are supported in their journey of nurturing their children while also pursuing their careers.
He said aside its call on Kano state government to extend paid maternity leave from three to six months, government should among others also “Prioritize the needs of working parents through provision of lactation rooms/crèches in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and implement breastfeeding breaks and flexible work arrangements.”
He also asked the government to: “Provide adequate resources for prevention of malnutrition through promotion, protection and support for Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition.
“Reinforce messages on good nutrition and health during the first 1,000 days of life through various platforms, including media, public spaces, and workplaces.”
“Finally, as breastfeeding is shared responsibility, UNICEF call on everyone, traditional and religious, Community leaders, CSOs, media, and everyone to support breastfeeding,” he added.
Since 1992, WABA coordinates the World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) – a global campaign that aims to inform, anchor, engage and galvanise action on breastfeeding and related issues.
“Breastfeeding is one of the best investments in children’s and women’s health and survival. Breastfeeding could prevent 823,000 annual deaths in children younger than 5 years and 20,000 annual maternal deaths from breast cancer. However, workplace limitations remain the most common reason for women to never breastfeed or to stop breastfeeding earlier than recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, or than they want themselves,” a statement by WABA reiterated.
It added that “There is a need to improve access to paid maternity leave, and other breastfeeding services for women both inside and outside the workplace. Workers in the informal economy are particularly vulnerable and need attention because maternity entitlements remain inaccessible for many of them, especially in low- and middle- income countries.”,
Earlier in his welcome address, the Kano State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran represented by the Director, Public Health, Dr. Rajab Ashiru said the best way to prevent malnutrition for children is through exclusive breastfeeding.
He added that exclusive breastfeeding provides the child with immune to fight any form of diseases such as diarrhea among others.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has uncovered irregularities in the payroll system of local government councils, as no fewer than 247 staff members were discovered to have either retired from service or died.
KANO FOCUS reports that the discovery revealed that the names of the affected local government staff have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running.
A statement by the Press Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State GovernmenMusa Tanko Muhammad, said these fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.
“In a decisive move towards cleansing the state payroll, the Kano State Government has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the state civil service.
“Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of local government councils.
“The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or died yet, have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to a sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for the month of March, 2025 alone.
“In a prompt and effective response and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the recovery underscores the administration’s dedication at entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.
“The government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities.
“Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law four landmark bills that establish new agencies designed to strengthen institutional frameworks and accelerate sustainable development across the state.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
The newly signed laws provide for the establishment of the following agencies:
1. Kano State Protection Agency (KASPA)
2. Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency (KASIAA)
3. Kano State Information and Communication Technologies Development Agency (KASITDA)
4. Kano State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (KASMEDA)
These laws, which are now part of the Kano State legal framework, are expected to stimulate innovation, support small businesses, regulate signage and advertising, and enhance public protection and service delivery.
Governor Yusuf described the signing as a significant step toward realizing his administration’s vision of a modern, inclusive, and economically vibrant Kano.
He emphasized that the new agencies will play a crucial role in job creation, investment attraction, and the efficient implementation of government initiatives.
“Our mission is to lay a solid foundation for a greater Kano. These laws go beyond policy — they are key instruments of transformation that will help drive our development agenda,” the Governor stated.
He also issued a strong warning that violations of the provisions of these laws will be met with strict penalties, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring compliance.
The establishment of these agencies reflects Governor Yusuf’s continued efforts to reform public institutions, improve governance, and position Kano as a leading center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
In a bid to ensure the smooth conduct of the ongoing Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, the Kano State Government has temporarily suspended the April 2025, End of month sanitation exercise.
KANO FOCUS reports that this decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders, in an effort to allow students of Kano State to write their examination without any hitches.
In a statement issued by the Director Public Enlightenment of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Ismail Garba Gwammaja has quoted the Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Dahiru M. Hashim saying that:
“The suspension is aimed at preventing any potential disruptions to the examination process and ensuring that candidates can sit for their exams without any hindrance.”
The Commissioner assured residents that the suspension is temporary for this month, and that the sanitation exercise will resume in its full force next month May 2025, in the state.
The Commissioner however, appeals to residents to cooperate with the authorities and understand the rationale behind this decision.
“We are committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that our sanitation activities do not conflict with other important events in the state,” the commissioner said.
While Commending the residents for their understanding and cooperation to the present administration, urged them to continue to avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste and cooperates with our sanitation staff to ensure clean and healthy environment always, and pray for the successful conduct of students who will sit for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
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