Headlines
Kano intensifies campaign for exclusive breastfeeding as UNICEF urges six-month maternity leave
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has intensified its campaign to promote exclusive breastfeeding, describing it as one of the most effective strategies for combating child malnutrition and improving maternal and child health outcomes.
KANO FOCUS reports that the State Nutrition Officer, Aishatu Suleiman, stated this on Thursday during a road walk organised to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week. The awareness campaign began at the School of Hygiene and ended at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, attracting health workers, development partners, civil society organisations and government officials.
Ms Suleiman said the campaign was aimed at increasing public awareness of exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and encouraging mothers to continue breastfeeding until children are two years old.
She said breast milk contains all the nutrients required for a baby’s growth and development while providing protection against common childhood illnesses.
“Exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for addressing malnutrition, which continues to be a major public health challenge in Kano State,” she said.
“We are here to support, protect and promote exclusive breastfeeding from birth to six months and encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding up to two years. Breast milk provides all the nutritional requirements a baby needs and strengthens immunity.”
She explained that although World Breastfeeding Week is observed globally for seven days, Kano State has scheduled a three-day programme of advocacy and public enlightenment to engage communities on the importance of optimal breastfeeding practices.
UNICEF seeks stronger support for mothers
The Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, described breastfeeding as “the most sustainable food on earth” and called for stronger government policies to enable mothers to exclusively breastfeed their children.
Shafeeq Ur-Rehman
Speaking during the event, Mr Ur-Rehman said this year’s theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” underscores the need to invest in proven interventions that improve child survival and development.
He noted that breast milk serves as a child’s first vaccine against illness, malnutrition and preventable deaths, while also contributing to improved cognitive development and future productivity.
“The evidence is overwhelming. Scaling up breastfeeding could prevent hundreds of thousands of maternal and child deaths each year,” he said.
Mr Ur-Rehman, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s low rates of optimal breastfeeding despite widespread acceptance of the practice.
According to him, while more than 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their children, fewer than one in ten newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth, and only about one in ten infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months of life.
He stressed that breastfeeding should not be viewed solely as a mother’s responsibility but as a shared obligation involving governments, healthcare providers, families, workplaces and communities.
The UNICEF official urged states that have yet to adopt six months of paid maternity leave, including Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, to implement the policy.
He said longer maternity leave, flexible working hours, breastfeeding breaks, private lactation spaces and facilities for storing expressed breast milk would enable more mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding.
Partners advocate policy reforms
Also speaking, Salmanu Muhammad, the Kano State Coordinator of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), said the coalition has continued to complement government efforts to improve maternal and child nutrition through advocacy and community mobilisation.
He said CS-SUNN consistently engages government authorities, conducts public awareness campaigns and sensitises communities on the importance of optimal breastfeeding practices, particularly exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
Muhammad added that the organisation also advocates the adoption and implementation of six months’ paid maternity leave to enable working mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants in line with global recommendations.
Also speaking, Shetima Kyari, representing the Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Jhpiego), said the organisation has been supporting Kano State’s maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition programmes since last year.
He said Jhpiego works with secondary healthcare facilities across the state to promote early initiation of breastfeeding immediately after birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding beyond two years.
Mr Kyari identified cultural myths and misconceptions as major barriers preventing many mothers from practising optimal breastfeeding.
Chairperson of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, Saadeq Suleiman, said the organisation supports governments through capacity building for healthcare workers, technical advisory services and policy development to improve maternal and child nutrition.
He said strengthening healthcare workers’ capacity and implementing evidence-based nutrition policies would increase breastfeeding rates and reduce child malnutrition.
Representing the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Halima Katagum said the agency regulates the marketing of breast milk substitutes to prevent practices that discourage exclusive breastfeeding.
She explained that NAFDAC prohibits the promotion of infant formula through advertisements, branded gifts and other marketing activities targeting mothers.
“Our role is to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes so that mothers are encouraged to practise exclusive breastfeeding instead of relying on formula products,” she said.
KANO FOCUS reports that participants at the event called for sustained public awareness campaigns, stronger family and community support, and greater government investment in maternal and child nutrition to improve breastfeeding practices and child survival in Kano State.
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.
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