News
FOMWAN holds dialogue over harmful practices against women
Nasiru Yusuf
The Deputy National Amirah of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Hajiya Habiba Abubakar Mijinyawa has condemned some harmful traditional practices against women and called for a change.
KANO FOCUS reports that Hajiya Mijinyawa made the call at a one-day social dialogue organise to sensitise the general public on the dangers of such practices.
The event, tagged: ‘One-day Social Dialogue with key stakeholders on Sexual Gender Based Violence, Trafficking In Persons and forced Marriage,’ was held in Kano on Friday.
It was organised for participants from Kano, Jigawa and Zamfara States. It was an interactive session which featured group works and presentations from the participants on various topics related to the event’s subject matter.

Cross section of participants
The Deputy Amirah said some negative norms and practices promote violence against women and the girl-child.
Hajiya Mijinyawa, who doubles as the Programme Manager of the association, said the participants were gathered to find a lasting solution to such practices in the society.
She described sexual harassment, human trafficking and early marriage as worrying issues militating against societal development.
She said they wanted to use the forum to create awareness among the citizens in the community on the problems with a view to eradicating them.

Cross section of participants
On his part, the Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer from the national headquarters of the association, Malam Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, said the project is a five year.
Malam Abubakar said they used the occasion to see how they could strengthen the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the three states in converting child trafficking, child early forced marriage as well as those issues having to do with gender base violence.
He said among the stakeholders, they identified religious leaders, traditional in stitutions, the CSOs, people with disabilities and women as critical to the success of the programme.

Cross section of participants
He said they brought them together to share ideas that would shape the society in ensuring that those issues were tackled to the barest minimum.
“The project started this year 2022 even though others started last year 2021 but it is going to finish by the year 2025,” he said.
Highlighting on the presentation he made on safeguarding, he said it was necessary, adding that: “This is because sometimes, people forget to understand the situation they find themselves.

Cross section of participants
“So, we concentrate more on those victims and survivors, whereas some of those issues we are advocating for also happen within our work space.”
“The presentation focuses on those who are giving the services so that they will not find themselves in the situation.
“Because when you look at issues of discrimination, sexual harassment and all of that, they also happen in work places,” he said.
Malam Abubakar explained that the presentation was to ensure that: “We don’t fall trap of what we preach to others.”

Cross section of participants
According to him, as the project is for everyone, they build the capacity of not only the CSOs; they also try to those from the judiciary as they are interlinked.
“So we also interface with judges, the alkalis and Imams so that when it comes to their tables, they understand the best way on how issues can be addressed fully.
“But going forward, we have identified the media as critical stakeholders as they amplify the voices of those who are voiceless less,” Malam Abubakar said.
Also speaking to KANO FOCUS, Communication Officer of FOMWAN and Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) Project, Malam Suleiman Mukhtar, said before gathering the participants, they conducted a situational analysis on the three states on the matter.
He said they found out that there were retrogressive cultures taking place in those states that seemed to create a ground for sexual and gender base violence, trafficking in persons, child and early forced marriage in the three states.

Cross section of participants
As a result, he said they saw the need to strengthen knowledge of the stakeholders CSOs, community and religious leaders, legal practitioners and the media to carry out the awareness campaign.
Malam Mukhtar said they engaged in the social dialogue in order to gather a mixture of the various stakeholders to interact from the training done in the past on how to create workable solutions to the problems.
He therefore stressed that it is very important for every person in the society to say no to such retrogressive cultures and adulterated religious practices that seem to be stumbling blocks to a progressive society where they were trying to eradicate social and gender base violence, trafficking in persons and forced marriage.
A participant from Kano state branch of the Joint Association of People with Special Needs Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada pledged to step down the training to other members of the association who were not opportune to be at the occasion so that they would be fully aware of what they are expected to do on the matter.

Malam Aminu Ahmad Tudun Wada
He said they are supported by some lawyers who render free service to them, urging members of the association to forward issues on the subject matter for appropriate actions to be taken by the association.
Headlines
Majidadin Dambatta congratulates Doguwa on emergence as Kano APC chairman
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Alhaji Aliyu Lawan, popularly known as Majidadin Dambatta, has congratulated Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa on his election as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
In a congratulatory message shared via Facebook, Lawan described Doguwa’s emergence as well deserved and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party effectively in the state.
He also extended his congratulations to other executive members elected alongside Doguwa into various party offices, noting that their emergence reflects the trust and confidence reposed in them by party members and stakeholders across Kano State.
According to him, the development is a clear testament to the dedication, loyalty and commitment of the newly elected leaders to the unity, stability and progress of the party.
Lawan further prayed that Allah grants the new chairman and his team wisdom, strength and foresight as they assume the responsibility of steering the affairs of the APC in Kano State.
He expressed optimism that the new leadership would promote harmony, inclusiveness and effective leadership within the party, while bringing renewed vigour, unity and success to the APC in the state and beyond.
Headlines
Kano Assembly issues impeachment notice to Deputy Governor Gwarzo
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State House of Assembly has issued a notice of impeachment to the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.
KANO FOCUS reports the notice followed the presentation of a report by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Lawan Hussaini Chediyar Yan Gurasa, during plenary on Wednesday. The sitting was presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Isma’il Falgore.
While presenting the report, the Majority Leader explained that the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which outlines the procedure for the impeachment of a governor or deputy governor.
According to him, the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 members of the Assembly.
He further stated that once the notice is formally served on the deputy governor, he will have 14 days to respond to the allegations contained in the document.
The development marks the beginning of the constitutional process that could lead to the impeachment of the deputy governor if the procedure continues as stipulated by law.
Headlines
Gov. Yusuf mourns former Kano finance commissioner, Prof. Dandago
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Kano State Commissioner of Finance and renowned academic, Professor Kabiru Isa Dandago.
KANO FOCUS reports that the governor’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano.
Governor Yusuf described the late Prof. Dandago as a dedicated public servant and accomplished scholar whose contributions to education and governance left lasting footprints in Kano State.
He noted that the former finance commissioner served the state with integrity and commitment and was widely respected for his professionalism, humility and passion for knowledge.
According to the governor, Kano State has lost a valuable son whose experience and wisdom greatly enriched both public service and the academic community.
Governor Yusuf extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the academic community and the people of Kano State over what he described as an irreparable loss.
He prayed that Almighty Allah forgives the shortcomings of the late Prof. Dandago, grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.
