Headlines
UNICEF urges ethical reporting to protect children, promote trust
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Media practitioners in Kano and Jigawa States have been urged to uphold ethical standards in reporting, particularly on issues involving children, to safeguard their dignity and promote societal trust.
KANO FOCUS reports that this call was made by Dr. Karanveer Singh, Officer-in-Charge and Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kano, during a keynote address at a training on Ethical Journalism and Child Rights held in Dutse on Wednesday.
Addressing participants, Dr. Singh commended journalists in the region for their dedication, noting that they often operate under challenging conditions to inform the public. He described journalism as a vital service to democracy and community development.
Dr. Karanveer Singh
He stressed that ethical reporting of children is not merely a workshop theme but a fundamental pillar for building a responsible society, especially in regions facing insecurity and social tensions.
According to him, ethical journalism fosters trust and helps bridge divisions in diverse societies. He explained that accurate, fair and balanced reporting can counter misinformation and hate speech, while irresponsible journalism could inflame tensions and worsen conflicts.
Dr. Singh also emphasised the need to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children, noting that they are highly impressionable and easily affected by how they are portrayed in the media.
A Cross Section of the Participants
“Children are not miniature adults. Ethical reporting requires protecting their identity, ensuring their dignity, and prioritising their best interests at all times,” he said.
He warned against practices such as publishing identifiable details of child victims, using graphic images, or conducting exploitative interviews, stressing that such actions could cause long-term psychological harm and social stigma.
The UNICEF official highlighted that ethical journalism enhances credibility and professionalism, especially in an era dominated by unverified information on social media. He urged media practitioners to distinguish themselves through integrity and adherence to professional standards.
A Cross Section of the Participants at the training
While acknowledging the pressures journalists face, including security risks and political influence, he urged them to remain committed to truth, fairness and responsibility.
Dr. Singh further called on journalists to play an active role in promoting child rights by prioritising issues such as child protection, education, and wellbeing in their reporting.
He also challenged the media to hold political leaders accountable on child-focused policies, particularly as Nigeria prepares for future elections.
“The choices journalists make every day—what to report, how to report it, and whom to protect—will shape the future of this region and its children,” he said.
The training aimed to strengthen the capacity of media practitioners to report responsibly on child-related issues while promoting ethical standards in journalism across Kano and Jigawa States.
A Cross section of the participants at the training
Rano urges journalists to uphold ethics in child rights reporting
Speaking on behalf of the Managing Director of Radio Kano, Comrade Abubakar Adamu Rano, the station’s UNICEF Focal Person, Mustapha Ahmad Sani, emphasised the critical role journalists play in shaping public opinion and influencing government policies.
Sani, who conveyed the goodwill message of the Managing Director, expressed appreciation to UNICEF for organising the training and commended the resource persons for their commitment to knowledge sharing.
He noted that journalism carries significant responsibility, particularly when reporting on children, who are among the most vulnerable members of society.
“Children need protection, and careless reporting can harm their dignity, expose their identity, or create stigma. However, responsible reporting can safeguard their rights and contribute to building a better society,” he said.
He described the training as timely and essential, urging participants to take full advantage of the sessions by engaging actively, asking questions, and learning from one another.
The training, facilitated by seasoned experts including Dr. Jide Johnson, Jumoke Falayi, and Mr. Lekan Sote, is aimed at strengthening journalists’ capacity to report child-related issues ethically and responsibly.
Participants drawn from various media organisations across Kano and Jigawa States are expected to gain practical insights into best practices in child rights reporting.
Sani concluded by wishing the participants a productive and successful training on behalf of the management of Radio Kano.
In a presentation titled Ethical Principles in Reporting Children’s Issues, UNICEF Kano Communications Specialist, Samuel Kaalu, stated that countries that are signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are legally bound to implement its provisions, which are monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Mr. Samuel Kaalu
Kaalu outlined four guiding principles of the convention: non-discrimination; the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival, and development; and respect for the views of the child.
In her presentation, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, Jumoke Falayi, discussed the considerations and challenges of reporting on children across television, radio, digital media, and social media platforms.
Another facilitator, Dr. Jide Johnson, described the media as a protector—not a violator—of children’s rights.
Mr. Lekan Sote, in his presentation, highlighted when journalists should report issues concerning children and when they should refrain, placing strong emphasis on the choice of words used in reporting, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop was designed to strengthen ethical journalism principles, reduce sensationalism, and curb the spread of misinformation in the reporting of incidents involving children.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
Kano Police Arrest Eight in Drug, Thuggery Raids
Funeral Prayer Held for Late Shehu Kabir Bayero
Kano holds planning meeting on implementation of Nigeria learning passport
Kwankwaso, Gov Yusuf, Amnesty International Condemn Killing of Ibrahim Khalil Dan Shagamu
Kano Police arrest two suspects over death of Ibrahim Khalil Danshagamu
Kano State Out-of-School Children Survey Report 2026: From Evidence to Impact — A Roadmap For Educational Development
Kano schools to resume Sunday for 2026/2027 academic session
From Grade Level 03 to Director: A 35-Year Journey of Resilience and Service
Justice Abdullahi Mahmud Bayero of Court of Appeal Dies in Egypt
