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.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has conducted a capacity-building training for operatives of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) to enhance their investigative capacity in tackling financial crimes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the training, held in Kano, focused on strengthening the technical skills of investigators to address increasingly complex and technology-driven financial offences.
Hajiya Aisha Gadanya Malam Saidu Yahaya
A statement signed by the Acting Public Relations Officer of PCACC, Isah Mansur Bello said the session was facilitated by James Ebiboloukemi, Head of CCS1 at the EFCC Kano Zonal Office, who provided practical insights into the evolving nature of financial crimes and strategies for combating them effectively.
Key areas covered during the training included financial intelligence gathering, analysis of financial records, asset tracing and recovery, digital forensics, detection of money laundering, interrogation techniques, case documentation, and prosecution support.
Participants were also equipped with practical tools to investigate and manage complex financial crimes, particularly those involving digital platforms.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of PCACC, Malam Saidu Yahaya, described the training as timely and critical to improving the commission’s operational effectiveness.
He reaffirmed PCACC’s commitment to sustained collaboration with the EFCC in promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Kano State and beyond.
The commission also expressed appreciation to the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his continued support in ensuring the agency’s independence and providing necessary logistical backing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, has commended the Federal High Court in Kano for sentencing a 20-year-old drug suspect, Muhammad Maharazu, to 15 years imprisonment.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer NDLEA Kano Strategic Command Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari on Thursday, the command said the conviction followed Maharazu’s arrest on February 14, 2026, at the notorious Filin Idi drug den in Kano.
According to the NDLEA, the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Commander’s Special Joint Task Force in possession of various illicit substances, including Diazepam tablets. During the operation, Maharazu allegedly produced a knife in an attempt to attack officers while trying to evade arrest but was swiftly disarmed and taken into custody.
The agency said Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kano, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment on April 15, 2026, with no option of fine. The sentence is to take effect from the date of judgment.
Reacting to the development, the NDLEA Kano Commander, Dahiru Yahaya Lawal, described the judgment as decisive and a strong warning to drug offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message that no amount of threats or violence will deter our officers from carrying out their mandate. Kano will not be a safe haven for drug traffickers,” he said.
The command added that the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others involved in drug trafficking or those who resort to violence to resist arrest.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting the agency’s efforts in tackling substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking, emphasizing that the fight against drug-related crimes requires collective responsibility.
Headlines
Dangote, Pope Leo XIV, Trump, Xi Jinping, others named in TIME 100 most influential people for 2026
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Renowned African industrialist and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, has been named among TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2026, reaffirming his standing as one of the most successful and iconic business leaders of his generation.
KANO FOCUS reports that Dangote joins global influential figures from multiple sectors, including political leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, revered Pope Leo XIV, current head of Catholic Church as well as business and technology leaders including Google CEO Sundar Pichai and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.
A statement sent to Kano Focus by Esan Sunday of Dangote group said the annual TIME100 list, published on Wednesday April 15, 2026, recognises global figures whose leadership, ideas, and actions are shaping the future across business, politics, culture, and society. Dangote’s inclusion places him alongside prominent international figures drawn from diverse spheres of global influence.
This marks Dangote’s second appearance on the prestigious TIME100 list, following his first recognition in 2014, when he was honoured for his exceptional impact on business and philanthropy. His return to the list more than a decade later underscores the consistency and scale of his influence on the global stage.
Dangote, who is being recognized for his African industrial drive is the only Nigerian on the list and featured in the titan and innovators category. Other prominent honorees named alongside Dangote in the titan category are Reid Wiseman, Commander of the Artemis II mission to the moon; Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet and Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube.
Also featuring prominently under the titan category are Michael and Susan Dell, the high-profile American tech billionaires and philanthropists best known as the founders of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a global non-profit that focuses on improving the lives of children living in urban poverty. Included here also is the American designer and billionaire, Ralph Lauren, best known for founding the global lifestyle empire Ralph Lauren Corporation.
Recognized in the Pioneer category are individuals with breakthroughs in Science and Social Advocacy such Kiran Musunuru and Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, both of whom were cited for medical breakthroughs in genetic therapy as well as Aaron Williams, recognized for advancements in heart transplant readiness.
Influential figures recognized in global entertainment and culture include Ranbir Kapoor, prominent Indian actor; Dakota Johnson, recognized as an actress and cultural icon and Kate Hudson, included for her cultural influence.
As Founder and President of Dangote Group—Africa’s largest indigenous industrial conglomerate—Dangote has played a central role in advancing industrialisation across the continent. Under his leadership, the Group has made landmark investments spanning cement manufacturing, sugar and food processing, agriculture, infrastructure, and lately energy, significantly reducing Africa’s reliance on imports while creating millions of direct and indirect jobs.
In its citation, TIME Magazine highlighted Dangote’s vision of building African industries with local resources for global competitiveness, noting his recent investments in large‑scale energy and manufacturing infrastructure as emblematic of his long‑term commitment to Africa’s economic transformation.
Beyond business, Dangote is widely acclaimed for his philanthropic leadership through the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), one of Africa’s largest private philanthropic organisations. The Foundation supports critical initiatives across healthcare, nutrition, education, disaster relief, and economic empowerment, contributing to improved outcomes for vulnerable communities across the continent.
The 2026 TIME100 recognition further reflects a broader global acknowledgement of African leadership, innovation, and enterprise, with Dangote standing as a symbol of the continent’s growing influence in shaping global economic and development narratives.
This latest honour consolidates Aliko Dangote’s legacy as a visionary industrialist and philanthropist, whose work continues to drive sustainable development, inclusive growth, and long‑term value creation—both within Africa and beyond.
Under his leadership, Dangote Group recently launched Vision 2030, with which Dangote Industries aims to transform from a regional $30 billion conglomerate into a $100 billion global powerhouse by 2030.
This strategy focuses on industrial self-sufficiency for Africa, moving the group from “regional dominance to global relevance”.
Dangote said the roadmap to vision 2030 is divided into phases to “supercharge” the group’s expansion; with phase one spanning 2025-2028 focused on scaling existing businesses—cement, fertilizer, and energy—and optimizing assets for international competitiveness.
The Phase two running from 2028-2030 is for the deployment of new businesses and ventures into global markets to drive the final leap to the $100 billion revenue target. The Dangote Group plans to venture into steel manufacturing, power, and deep-sea ports to tackle industrial bottlenecks across Africa.
This recognition by Time Magazine underscores the growing global acknowledgment of African leadership and innovation, and highlights Aliko Dangote’s enduring influence as a visionary leader committed to sustainable development and inclusive growth.
The 2026 list underscores the expanding global visibility of African leadership and Dangote’s continued influence as a leading industrialist and philanthropist.
EFCC Trains Anti Corruption Operatives on Financial Crimes in Kano
NDLEA commends court over 15-Year jail term for drug suspect in Kano
Dangote spotlights refinery, vision 2030, others, at Nasarawa trade fair
ACF nominates Dr Goni Faruk Umar, others for endowment fund committee
Dangote, Pope Leo XIV, Trump, Xi Jinping, others named in TIME 100 most influential people for 2026
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
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Kano deputy governor resigns, cites governance stability
