Headlines
Kano introduces child spacing community role models to fight maternal mortality
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano state Government through its ministry of health convened a 2-day accountability review and engagement session with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and journalists as part of ongoing efforts to uptake of child birth spacing services.
KANO FOCUS reports that the activity which was supported by FCDO funded Lafiya programme, aimed at developing selection criteria for child birth spacing community role models across 448 political wards in the state.
Additionally, the technical session also provided a platform to strengthen accountability mechanisms and promote local ownership of health initiatives.

Mal. Hassan Ibrahim Gama and Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello
The meeting brought together key stakeholders who are committed to advancing grassroots accountability and participation in reproductive health and community health initiatives.
The commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, in his remarks during the technical engagement meeting, stated that these role models will serve as advocates for child birth spacing and reproductive health services in their respective communities.

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf
He noted that their role will be instrumental in addressing the low uptake of child birth spacing interventions in the state by addressing negative perceptions through social and behavioural change communication.
This, he added, will not only increase demand for these services but also contribute to reducing maternal mortality due to pregnancy-related complications.
Dr. Yusuf acknowledged that while the commodities for family planning (FP), are free, in some cases clients are expected to use a little token to cover for consumables when the need arises at the facility level depending on the contraceptive method chosen by an individual.

A cross section of participants
He, however, mentioned that the state government is working towards eliminating these charges completely so that child birth spacing will be 100% free in the state.
He further disclosed that there are plans to procure 3 ambulance tricycles for each political ward and currently, maternal delivery kits for pregnant women are available in the state, and the government is planning to scale up their distribution across all 44 local government areas in Kano.
According to him this is part of efforts to promote safe delivery practices and improve maternal health.
“Every pregnant woman deserves to deliver safely, and with these kits, we are reducing risks and ensuring mothers have the essential tools they need. Soon, these kits will reach every local government in Kano State,” he assured.

A cross section of participants
He also mentioned that immunization remains completely free of charge across all health facilities and urged residents to take advantage of the program and ensure that no child is left un-immunized.
“Immunization in Kano is entirely free, and I want our people to understand that nobody should collect a single kobo for it.

A cross section of participants
“Every child has the right to be protected against preventable diseases, and the government will not compromise on that,” Dr. Yusuf said.
He noted that insecticide-treated mosquito nets were recently distributed to households at no cost, warning that these nets must never be commercialized.

A cross section of participants
He warned that “If anyone finds these nets being sold in markets or shops, they should be reported immediately.
“We will take punitive measures against those responsible. These commodities are meant to save lives, not to be sold for profit.”

The commissioner flanked by other medical doctors
Dr. Yusuf urged WDCs and CSOs to continue serving as the bridge between the government and communities, ensuring that citizens access the free commodities provided for the health and wellbeing of the communities they represent.
In her presentation, the coordinator of reproductive health and family planning in the state ministry of health Dr Aisha Barka expressed concerns over the alarming rate of maternal mortality in Kano state, which she said stand at 1,025 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Dr Aisha Barka
According to her these role models, when successfully onboarded, will be very critical to addressing these problems with their terms of engagement aligned with the MAMII implementation framework.
She also reaffirmed the ministry’s unwavering commitment to addressing the unmet need for child spacing commodities in Kano State

A cross section of participants
She commended the FCDO funded Lafiya programme for their demand led technical assistance and support in bringing the event to fruition, describing it as a clear testament to their commitment to improving access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Kano State.
Headlines
“As You Sow, So Shall You Reap”: Imam Reminds Muslims of Divine Justice
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Imam Nura Garba Mato has urged Muslims to remain conscious of their actions, saying that divine reward and punishment often correspond to the nature of people’s deeds.
KANO FOCUS reports that the imam made the call while delivering a Friday sermon at Jami’u Ansar wal Muhajirun Jumaa Mosque, Cotton Ginnery Layout, Zawaciki, Kano State.
The sermon, titled “Al-Jazā’u Min Jinsil-‘Amal” (Recompense Is According to the Nature of Deeds), focused on the Islamic teaching that people’s actions have consequences and that good deeds attract divine reward.
Imam Mato said Allah had established enduring principles in human life that do not change, urging Muslims to understand these principles and allow them to guide their conduct.
He explained that one of these principles was that recompense corresponds to the nature of one’s actions, stressing the importance of living righteously and fulfilling one’s responsibilities to Allah and fellow human beings.
The imam called on Muslims to observe *taqwa* (consciousness of Allah), remain steadfast in their faith and follow the teachings and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
He also highlighted the importance of helping people in difficulty, easing the burdens of others and showing compassion to fellow Muslims.
Quoting a prophetic tradition, the imam emphasised that whoever relieves a Muslim of a hardship in this world will receive relief from Allah on the Day of Resurrection.
He further explained that whoever conceals the faults of a fellow Muslim would receive Allah’s concealment of their faults on the Day of Resurrection, while those who make things easier for people in difficulty would receive Allah’s assistance in this world and the Hereafter.
The sermon also underscored the importance of supporting others, noting that a Muslim’s relationship with Allah should be reflected in their treatment of fellow human beings.
Imam Mato urged Muslims to reflect on their deeds and recognise that their conduct carries consequences, encouraging them to embrace good actions, assist those in need and uphold the teachings of Islam in their daily lives.
He stressed that Muslims should make righteousness, compassion and service to others central to their lives in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure and success in the Hereafter.
Headlines
Kano Govt Orders Retired Civil Servants to Vacate Offices, Hand Over Government Property
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has directed all civil servants who have attained their statutory retirement age or completed the required length of service to immediately vacate their offices and hand over government property in their possession.
KANO FOCUS reports that the directive was contained in Circular issued on Tuesday by the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Civil Service, Kano State.
The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Abba A. Danguguwa, on behalf of the Head of Civil Service, was titled: “Unauthorized Continuance in Service After Statutory Retirement by Civil Servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government – Call for Immediate Handing Over of Official Documents, Properties.”
The government said it had observed that some civil servants continued to remain in office and operate in official capacities after reaching their statutory retirement period.
According to the circular, such conduct was a “negation to the reputation of the Civil Service of Kano State,” noting that the service had a long-standing tradition of ensuring seamless transition by retiring civil servants.
It described the continued stay in service after retirement as a direct infraction and aberration of relevant provisions of the State Civil Service Rules and other applicable service regulations.
The government stressed that it was legally and administratively untenable for any officer to remain in service or perform official functions beyond the statutory limit.
Consequently, all civil servants who had retired either by age or length of service were directed to immediately exit and hand over all official documents, government property and duties to their immediate subordinates in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.
The circular also directed all Accounting Officers, including Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives, as well as Directors of Administration and Personnel Management, to ensure strict and immediate compliance with the directive.
It warned that any officer found aiding, abetting or condoning the continued stay of a retired officer in service would face appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the Civil Service Rules.
The directive takes immediate effect, the circular stated.
Headlines
Kano Settles N32bn Pension, Gratuity Liabilities, Says Gov Yusuf
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf says his administration has settled approximately N32 billion out of the N48 billion inherited backlog of gratuities and related liabilities owed to retirees in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Gov Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday while addressing residents at the 66th Independence Anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium in Kano.
The governor said the government had also sustained the regular payment of monthly pensions while increasing the minimum monthly pension from N5,000 to N20,000.
He said the welfare of workers and pensioners remained a priority of his administration, citing timely payment of salaries, improved remuneration and measures aimed at strengthening the public service.
According to him, the state has maintained the practice of paying workers’ salaries on or before the 25th of every month while implementing the N71,000 minimum wage for civil servants.
Gov Yusuf also said his administration was sponsoring public servants for professional training, including programmes at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), to strengthen their administrative and leadership capacity.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a professional and motivated workforce, while ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of serving workers and retirees were recognised and treated with dignity.
