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Maizare commends Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian, medical contributions to Nigeria
Nura Abdullahi
Comrade Ambassador Ismaila Ammai Maizare, former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano State Council, has commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian and medical contributions to vulnerable communities in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
KANO FOCUS reports that Maizare made the commendation on Wednesday at Ni’imah Guest Palace, Kano, while delivering a speech on the humanitarian and medical contributions of Saudi Arabia in Nigeria and beyond.
He said Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian interventions demonstrated that humanitarian responsibility could transcend borders, religion and geography, describing such assistance as “compassion in action.”
According to him, Saudi medical and relief missions have contributed to bringing medical expertise, doctors, surgical services, medicines and emergency supplies closer to communities affected by poverty, disasters, conflict and other humanitarian challenges.
He said such interventions were particularly important in Nigeria, where millions of people continue to face various healthcare and humanitarian challenges.
Comrade Maizare noted that international partnerships could complement the efforts of governments, hospitals, humanitarian organisations and local communities, particularly in medical intervention, surgery, emergency healthcare, rehabilitation and the provision of relief materials.
He said the impact of humanitarian interventions should be measured not only by statistics but also by the lives transformed through medical procedures, emergency assistance and other forms of support.
“Behind every medical procedure is a human being whose life may be transformed. Behind every emergency supply is a family that receives assistance at a critical moment,” he said.
Comrade Maizare, who is also Majidadin Sarkin Shanun Kano and Sarkin Labaran Hausawan Africa, said Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian initiatives also underscored the importance of international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
He noted that humanitarian crises often transcended national boundaries and therefore required cooperation among governments, international organisations, medical professionals, charities and local communities.
Beyond Nigeria, he said, Saudi humanitarian and medical initiatives had reached communities in different parts of the world, particularly those affected by emergencies and humanitarian crises.
He described such interventions as contributing to a broader culture of compassion, volunteerism and mutual assistance.
Maizare said Nigerians appreciated partnerships that strengthened the healthcare system and provided relief to vulnerable citizens, while stressing the need for transparency, professionalism and effective coordination with relevant Nigerian institutions.
He described humanitarian diplomacy as an important form of people-to-people relations, saying it builds trust through practical service rather than words alone.
“A medical team that arrives to save lives, a surgeon who performs a life-changing operation, or relief supplies delivered to a family in distress can create a lasting bond between nations and peoples,” he said.
Maizare commended Saudi Arabia, its humanitarian institutions, medical professionals and partners for their contributions to humanitarian and medical assistance in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
He also called for greater cooperation between Saudi humanitarian organisations and Nigerian institutions in specialised medical missions, capacity building, emergency response, maternal and child healthcare, medical training, rehabilitation and sustainable community development.
He said the shared objective should remain focused on saving lives, reducing suffering and restoring hope and dignity to vulnerable people.
Maizare urged stakeholders to continue building bridges of compassion, cooperation and humanitarian service between Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and communities across Africa and beyond.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and Hon. Balarabe Sa’idu Gani for appointment as commissioners.
KANO FOCUS reports that their names have been forwarded to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.
The Speaker of the House, Jibril Isma’il Falgore, announced the nominations during plenary on Monday after reading a letter from the governor conveying their names for consideration.
Falgore said the nominees would undergo screening in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.
The latest nominations come barely a week after the Assembly screened and confirmed six commissioner nominees, including former commissioners Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa and Professor Sani Lawan, a former chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission.
The two nominees are expected to appear before the Assembly for screening before their confirmation.
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