Headlines
NRHJN urges greater investment in women’s health on international women’s day
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A media advocacy group on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), has called for increased investment in reproductive health services and stronger protection of women’s rights as the world marks the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
In a message signed by the National Secretary of the network, Hajia Sekinah Lawal, and the Publicity Secretary, Elizabeth Kah on Sunday to commemorate the day, the network said the annual celebration provides an opportunity to highlight how global crises and local challenges continue to affect the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls.
The group expressed concern that ongoing conflicts in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as rising insecurity in Nigeria, have worsened access to healthcare for women, girls, children and the elderly, who are often the most vulnerable in society.
It also noted that access to family planning commodities and contraceptives has been negatively affected by reduced funding from international partners following the withdrawal of the United States under the administration of former President Donald Trump from global funding platforms such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Highlighting this year’s IWD theme, “Give to Gain,” the group urged Nigerians to dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding contraception and family planning while promoting informed decision-making and bodily autonomy for women of reproductive age.
The network further called on policymakers, healthcare providers, youth advocates and other stakeholders to address barriers to reproductive healthcare and promote awareness on issues affecting women’s reproductive journeys.
According to the group, ensuring that women can make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures is essential for sustainable development.
It therefore advocated increased funding for reproductive health services, including family planning, safe motherhood programmes, maternal healthcare and adolescent reproductive health education.
The organisation said such investments would help reduce preventable maternal deaths, improve child survival and enhance the overall quality of life for women and families across Nigeria.
The network also called for urgent action to dismantle structural barriers to equal justice for women, including discriminatory laws, weak legal protections and harmful cultural practices that undermine the rights of women and girls.
It urged governments and stakeholders to expand opportunities for women to participate fully in economic, social and political development.
On political representation, the group reiterated support for the proposed “Special Seats for Women Bill,” which seeks to create 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly—37 in the Senate and 37 in the House of Representatives.
According to the network, the proposal aims to address the severe underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislature, noting that women currently occupy only 19 of the 469 seats in the 10th National Assembly, representing about four percent.
The group also called for the implementation of the National Guidelines on Safe Termination of Pregnancy for Legal Indications, launched in 2018, across all states to help prevent deaths linked to unsafe abortion.
Quoting former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, the network noted that Nigeria recorded an estimated 1.25 million induced abortions in 2012, while thousands of women suffer complications or death annually due to unsafe procedures.
The organisation stressed that implementing the guidelines would ensure that women receive appropriate care when faced with legally recognised medical conditions requiring pregnancy termination.
The network further emphasised the important role of the media in amplifying women’s voices, raising awareness about reproductive health rights and holding government and other stakeholders accountable for policies affecting women’s health and dignity.
It urged governments at all levels, development partners, civil society organisations and community leaders to prioritise programmes that protect women’s rights, expand access to reproductive health services and create opportunities for women to lead and thrive.
The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to using journalism as a tool to advocate for women’s health, dignity and rights.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project and other development partners in advancing education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the assurance while receiving the Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, during a courtesy visit at the Government House in Kano.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad, Governor Yusuf said his administration would continue to collaborate with stakeholders and support initiatives aimed at improving education in Kano State.
“We will continue to collaborate and support every effort geared towards the development of education in Kano State,” the governor said.
He described the AGILE project as a beacon of hope that is strengthening the education sector through infrastructural development and support for teachers.
Earlier, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad informed the governor that Kano State had successfully secured the World Bank’s “No Objection” approval for the construction of 49 new schools under the AGILE project at a cost of ₦23 billion.
The minister disclosed that contractors handling the projects had already been mobilised to site, adding that the initiative would significantly expand access to education for underserved communities across the state.
She also commended the Kano State Government for the quality of projects being executed in schools, particularly those she inspected during her visit, and urged the AGILE project team to emulate the state government’s standards in project implementation.
The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at improving access to secondary education and empowerment opportunities for adolescent girls across Nigeria.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, has commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, describing the intervention as a major boost to girl-child education in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that Professor Suwaiba made the remarks during an inspection visit to selected AGILE project sites in Kano State, including Government Girls College, Kano, and Government Girls Senior Secondary School (GGSS), Dukawuya.
She said the Tinubu administration remained committed to implementing policies and programmes aimed at improving the standard of education and expanding access to quality learning opportunities for adolescent girls across the country.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of projects being executed under the World Bank-supported AGILE programme in Kano State, noting that the initiative would significantly improve educational infrastructure and learning outcomes.
While praising the standard of work at the project sites, she directed Principal and SBMC handling some of the projects to make necessary corrections where required in order to ensure durable and high-quality infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, the National Coordinator of the AGILE Project, Hajiya Amina Buba Haruna, highlighted recent achievements recorded under the programme.
According to her, the World Bank-supported project is focused on improving access to education for adolescent girls through infrastructure development and empowerment initiatives.
On his part, the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ali Haruna Makoda, said the state government had continued to prioritise education through increased budgetary allocation and ongoing investments in the sector.
Makoda disclosed that since the declaration of a state of emergency on education in 2023, the sector has consistently received more than 30 per cent of the state’s annual budget.
He commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for sustaining investments aimed at improving learning environments and educational outcomes across the state.
The commissioner also appreciated the minister for visiting Kano State to inspect the ongoing AGILE projects and for her continued support toward the advancement of education in the state.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mujittapha Aminu, disclosed that about 300 schools across Kano State would be renovated under the AGILE project.
He added that the state government also plans to construct 49 new girls’ schools across the 484 wards in Kano as part of efforts to strengthen access to education for girls.
Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and Hajiya Amina Buba
As part of the visit, the Minister, accompanied by the National Project Coordinator of AGILE, Hajiya Amina Buba Haruna; the Commissioner for Education, Dr Gwani Ali Abubakar Makoda; the Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mujittapha Aminu; and the Head of the Project Financial Management Unit (HPFMU), Alhaji Aliyu Lawan, also met with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to discuss the progress of the AGILE project in Kano State.
The AGILE project is a World Bank-supported initiative designed to improve secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls through enhanced infrastructure, increased access, and empowerment programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on Thursday launched the Northern Region Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (CNG/EV) Initiative, describing it as a major step toward economic growth, job creation, and affordable transportation.
KANO FOCUS reports that the launch, held at the Kano Indoor Stadium, was attended by the representative of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, and the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad.
As part of the event, the delegation also commissioned the Asad CNG and Greenville LNG stations located along the Kano-Zaria Road.
Speaking during the launch of the Kano and Northern Region CNG/EV Activation Programme, Governor Yusuf said the initiative would open up vast opportunities in refuelling infrastructure, vehicle conversion centres, technical services, assembly plants, logistics, and manufacturing.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammad, the governor noted that the project would create employment opportunities for thousands of youths in the state, many of whom have already received training in vehicle conversion and technical maintenance.
Governor Yusuf assured investors of the state government’s readiness to continue collaborating with the Federal Government, the Pi-CNG & EV initiative, and genuine private investors willing to support the development of the sector.
“Our administration will continue to provide the enabling environment necessary for businesses to thrive, as we believe economic growth and job creation must remain at the centre of governance,” the governor stated.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for introducing the initiative, saying it would significantly ease transportation challenges facing Nigerians.
In his remarks, Senator Hassan Hadejia, who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, said the activation of CNG in Northern Nigeria would maximise utilisation due to the region’s large transportation network, which he described as the biggest in West Africa.
He commended Governor Yusuf for his commitment to the programme and for creating an enabling environment ahead of its official rollout.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Pi-CNG & EV Initiative, Barrister Ismaeel Ahmad, said President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and was determined to provide alternative energy sources that are cheaper than Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
Ahmad further disclosed that CNG stations would be established across all senatorial districts in Kano State to ensure wider accessibility for residents.
Representatives of the governors of Jigawa and Katsina states also called for the swift implementation of similar CNG initiatives in their states to reduce transportation costs and stimulate economic growth.
Alhaji Aminu Suraj represented the Jigawa State Governor, while Professor Muhammad Al-Amin represented the Katsina State Governor at the event.
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Kano Govt reaffirms support for AGILE Project, education development
Minister inspects AGILE Projects in Kano
Governor Yusuf launches northern CNG/EV initiative, commissions new stations
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