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SAPZ trains journalists on behaviour change communication to tackle malnutrition in Kano
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme in Kano State has trained journalists, media practitioners, health educators and nutrition focal persons from eight local government areas on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) as part of efforts to address the challenge of malnutrition in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the one-day training, held on Wednesday, was organised by the SAPZ Programme in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The programme is a flagship initiative of the Federal Government, supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).
The training aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of the SAPZ programme while enhancing their capacity to effectively communicate nutrition-sensitive messages to the public. It also sought to equip media professionals with accurate information and promote sustained partnerships for consistent and impactful reporting on nutrition-related issues in Kano State.
Speaking at the event, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer of the SAPZ Kano Project, Hajiya Rabi Mustafa Sadiq, said the initiative was designed to raise awareness among journalists and other stakeholders on the critical role of Behaviour Change Communication in improving dietary habits and nutrition outcomes.
She explained that the programme seeks to provide media practitioners with reliable and consistent information to enable them champion nutrition advocacy and effectively disseminate key messages to the public.
Hajiya Rabi disclosed that the SAPZ project is currently supporting more than 14,000 households across Kano State through nutrition-sensitive interventions, including intercropping activities involving bio-fortified crops such as high iron and zinc rice.
According to her, bio-fortified crops contain higher levels of essential micronutrients required by the human body, and their consumption can significantly improve vitamin A, iron and zinc intake among beneficiaries. She added that increased production of such commodities would enhance access to nutritious food for smallholder farming households and improve overall household nutrition.
Presenting a paper titled “Fundamentals of Behaviour Change Communication and Its Role in Improving Nutrition Outcomes in Kano State,” Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano, emphasised the crucial role of the media in influencing dietary behaviour through awareness creation and evidence-based reporting.
She noted that although behaviour change is often difficult, deliberate and sustained communication by the media can positively shape public attitudes towards balanced diets. Dr. Ruqayyah described behaviour change as a gradual process that involves modifying actions and mindsets over time through consistent and targeted messaging.
Facilitators at the workshop highlighted the severity of malnutrition in Kano State, citing UNICEF 2025 data which shows that 51.9 per cent of children in the state are stunted, while 42.6 per cent of children under the age of five are underweight. They warned that malnutrition has far-reaching consequences on children’s growth and development, women’s health and overall community productivity.
Other challenges identified during the training included inadequate knowledge among rural farmers on best practices for sesame cultivation, leading to losses during harvesting, storage and processing.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Sunusi, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving food security. He highlighted ongoing investments in dam rehabilitation, irrigation facilities, dry-season farming programmes, as well as the recruitment of 1,038 personnel to strengthen service delivery in the agricultural sector.
The training ended with a call for proactive media engagement on nutrition issues and the inauguration of a committee to champion Behaviour Change Communication for improved nutrition in Kano State, with monitoring mechanisms put in place to track its activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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