Headlines
KanSLAM identifies poor family planning as key driver of maternal, child mortality in Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A coalition of civil society organisations, government officials, and media practitioners under the Kano State Led Accountability Mechanism (KanSLAM) has identified inadequate family planning as a major factor responsible for the high rate of maternal and child mortality in Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that the coalition made this known on Thursday during a media parley on the prevention of maternal and child mortality held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano.
Cross section of participants
KanSLAM expressed concern that Kano remains one of the states with the highest maternal and child mortality rates in Nigeria, attributing the trend largely to limited access to family planning services, particularly in rural communities.
The group also called on the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of funds allocated for the procurement of maternal and child health consumables. It lamented that significant portions of annual budgets are often not effectively utilised for their intended purposes, raising concerns about possible mismanagement and corruption.
Speaking at the event, the Co-chair of KanSLAM, Pharm. Maimuna Yakubu Muhammad, emphasised the critical role of the media in addressing maternal and child mortality through advocacy and public enlightenment.
Pharm. Maimuna Yakubu Muhammad
She urged media organisations to leverage various platforms, including television, radio, newspapers, and digital outlets, to raise awareness about the benefits of family planning and the risks associated with its neglect.
According to her, the media can also help by sharing success stories of women who have benefited from family planning services, addressing misconceptions, and amplifying the voices of healthcare providers and community leaders.
“When women have access to family planning, they can space pregnancies, avoid unintended pregnancies, and access proper healthcare. This leads to reduced complications, fewer unsafe abortions, and better outcomes for both mothers and children,” she said.
Cross section of participants
She further called for improved access to affordable contraceptives, especially in rural areas, strengthening of healthcare services, and sustained community education to dispel myths surrounding family planning.
Maimuna noted that KanSLAM was established in line with international best practices to promote accountability in public resource management, adding that the coalition monitors budget releases and implementation while advising the government on improvements.
Also speaking, the Kano State Team Lead of Pathfinder International, Umar Ibrahim Gombe, said discussions on reducing maternal and neonatal deaths in Northern Nigeria remain crucial, describing such engagements as opportunities to assess government efforts and identify gaps.
Umar Ibrahim Gombe
Similarly, Sahnunu Madaki of the FCDO-supported Lafiya Project commended KanSLAM for organising the parley and pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at reducing maternal mortality in the state.
Sahnunu Madaki
Kano health sector hits 15% budget benchmark, faces funding gaps
Presenting analysis of Kano State’s health financing, Sulaiman Ismail has revealed that the government met the 15 per cent budget benchmark for the sector in 2026, in line with the Abuja Declaration, but significant gaps remain in funding critical services.
Sulaiman Ismail
The report, titled *Kano State MNCH, Reproductive Health and Family Planning Financing Analysis (2024–April 2026)*, examined allocations, releases, and utilisation of funds for maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), reproductive health (RH), and family planning (FP).
He said findings showed that the health sector accounted for 13 per cent of the state budget in 2024, dropped slightly to 12 per cent in 2025, and rose to 15 per cent in 2026, marking a notable improvement.
Despite the increased allocation, Mr. Ismail highlighted inconsistencies in fund releases and low execution of capital projects, which continue to hinder effective service delivery.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
He also noted that programmes such as MNCH, RH, and FP are largely embedded within primary healthcare services, making it difficult to track specific funding and assess impact.
The analysis further identified growing demographic pressure as a major challenge, with the population of women of reproductive age projected to reach between 3.4 million and 3.7 million by 2025–2026. This, it said, is outpacing available funding and putting additional strain on health services.
In terms of spending priorities, Mr. Ismail observed that more funds are allocated to recurrent expenditure and procurement, rather than direct service delivery.
Other challenges identified include inadequate funding for family planning and reproductive health programmes, lack of disaggregated data, limited access to information, and heavy reliance on donor support.
To address these issues, Mr Ismail recommended improved and timely release of funds, population-based budgeting to tackle maternal mortality, and the ring-fencing of MNCH, RH, and FP funds to enhance accountability.
He also called for the reinstatement of previous budget formats to improve citizen participation and transparency, as well as increased domestic funding to reduce donor dependency.
Stakeholders urged citizens and advocacy groups to intensify calls for increased investment in maternal and reproductive health services to improve outcomes across the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that KanSLAM is a coalition of civil society organisations, media groups, and government agencies working collaboratively to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Kano State through advocacy, transparency, and community engagement.
Ibrahim Khalil
Residents of Tsakuwa community in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area of Kano State have honoured 11 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the development of the town.
KANO FOCUS reports that the awards were presented during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, held on Sunday at Central Primary School, Tsakuwa.
Among those honoured were the traditional ruler of the community, Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa; the Chairman of the Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa; and a retired headmaster of Central Primary School, Tsakuwa, Alhaji Mahmuda Shehu, who continues to offer voluntary teaching services to pupils in the community.
Also recognised was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, a Nupe businessman who settled in Tsakuwa and has become an integral part of the community. He was honoured for his significant contributions to the town’s development.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe receiving a certificate
Other award recipients included the Chairman of the Northwest Development Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji (Garkuwan Tsakuwa); the Commander of the Gombe State Hisbah Command, Malam Rabiu Idris; media practitioner Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim of Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV); the founder of Tsakuwa Mufarka Sustainable Development Association, Malam Ibrahim Almustapha Sani; and Sulaiman Salisu Babah, among others.
Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan presenting a certificate to Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Speaking at the event, the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, commended the leadership of the association for its commitment to community development and urged members to sustain their efforts toward improving the welfare of residents.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the association, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, said the non-partisan organisation had prioritised interventions in education, security, and healthcare.
He appealed to members of the community to sustain their monthly financial contributions to enable the association to continue implementing development projects.
Earlier, a member of the association, Malam Abdullahi Wagadi, disclosed that the group generated ₦6.56 million through members’ monthly contributions over the past year.
According to him, the association spent ₦3.84 million on allowances for volunteer teachers and vigilantes, ₦564,000 on fencing the Eid prayer ground, and ₦1.255 million on the renovation of the community police outpost.
He further stated that ₦356,000 was spent on supporting Tsakuwa Model Primary School, ₦430,000 on scholarships for students, ₦700,000 on instructional materials, and ₦50,000 on health assistance for vulnerable residents.
Association Raises Over ₦2.1 Million at AGM
A major highlight of the AGM was the fundraising session, during which the association raised ₦2.143 million from philanthropists and community stakeholders.
Leading the donations was Alhaji Umar Muhammad Banupe, who contributed ₦500,000. He was followed by Hon. Mustapha Bala Dawaki, who also donated ₦500,000, while Hon. Abdulmumin Tijjani, popularly known as Mai POS, donated ₦200,000.
Other donors included the Sarkin Tsakuwa, Alhaji Isma’ila Santali Tsakuwa, who donated ₦100,000; the association’s chairman, Alhaji Tasiu Alhassan Tsakuwa, ₦200,000; Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji Garkuwan Tsakuwa), ₦100,000; and Malam Rabiu Idris, who also contributed ₦100,000.
The event attracted community leaders, stakeholders, and residents who commended the association for its contributions to grassroots development and pledged continued support for its programmes.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Health journalists in Kano State have inaugurated a new professional body, the Kano Health Journalists Network (KAHJON), aimed at strengthening media reporting and advocacy on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and Primary Health Care (PHC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the network was launched during an Alignment, Coordination, Monitoring and Implementation meeting of media coalitions on gender-responsive RMNCAH and PHC, organised by the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) in Kano.
During the inauguration, journalists unanimously elected Khadijah Aliyu of Radio Nigeria as Chairperson of the newly established network.
Other members of the executive committee include Mustapha Hodi Adamu of People Daily Newspaper as Vice Chairperson, Abdullahi Hassan of ARTV as Secretary, and Mustapha Salisu of Prime Times as Public Relations Officer.
Speaking at the event, the Programme Director of ISMPH, Mr. Solomon Dogo, said the establishment of KAHJON would help unify existing health reporting groups and improve media coverage of critical public health issues, including polio eradication, nutrition, maternal health, and primary healthcare services.
He congratulated the newly elected executives and expressed confidence that the network would enhance collaboration among media practitioners while strengthening health advocacy efforts in the state.
Dogo noted that similar health journalists’ networks are already operating in Lagos and Kaduna states, adding that development partners remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote public health advocacy.
Also speaking, ISMPH Programme Officer in Kano, Hajiya Sabuwa Yahaya, said the platform would improve coordination among journalists, enhance access to health information, and strengthen evidence-based reporting on health issues.
According to her, the network will also provide a stronger platform for advocacy and engagement with government institutions, development partners, and local communities.
The inauguration ceremony attracted goodwill messages from several development partners, including the Integrated Budget and Policy (IBP), LISDEL, CCSI, SANDHEF, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).
Representatives of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the Drug Management and Consumables Supply Agency, and the Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency also attended the event.
A major highlight of the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which formally established the Kano Health Journalists Network and marked the beginning of a new chapter in health journalism and advocacy in the state.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A House of Representatives aspirant for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Alhaji Mahmud Tijjani Kura, has withdrawn his candidature and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
KANO FOCUS reports that the development was disclosed on Saturday by a prominent APC chieftain, Alhaji Aliyu Lawan Dambatta, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta.
According to Majidadin Dambatta, he led a delegation alongside the former aspirant to a meeting with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, during which Kura formally announced his decision to join the APC.
Majidadin Dambatta described the defection as a significant boost to the ruling party, noting that it would further strengthen the APC’s unity and political structure ahead of future elections.
He said the party remained committed to working collectively for the progress and development of Kano State and the country.
The APC stalwart welcomed Kura back into the party and expressed confidence that he would make meaningful contributions to its growth and the welfare of the people.
The defection is expected to add a new dimension to the political landscape in Kano State as parties continue to realign ahead of future electoral contests.
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