Headlines
FG, Kano strengthen collaboration on sodium reduction to combat non-communicable diseases
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Federal Ministry of Health has paid a courtesy and technical visit to the Kano State Ministry of Health to strengthen collaboration on the adaptation and domestication of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines in Kano State as part of efforts to tackle the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting, held in Kano, brought together senior officials of the Kano State Ministry of Health led by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf. Also in attendance were the Director of Public Health and Disease Control, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano, the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, the Coordinator of the NCD Division, and other senior officials of the ministry.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Ministry of Health, Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, said the delegation from the Federal Ministry of Health, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, was led by Mr. Femi Stephen alongside officials from the Food and Drug Services Department. Representatives of Resolve to Save Lives, including Mr. Batet Musa and Barrister Emem Udoh, also attended the meeting.
Discussions during the visit focused on integrating sodium reduction into existing state health programmes and systems in response to the rising cases of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases linked to excessive sodium consumption.
Officials explained that the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines aim to reduce sodium intake by 30 percent by the year 2030 through a phased and multisectoral approach.
The Federal Ministry described sodium reduction as one of the most cost-effective strategies for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing the role of states in driving implementation through primary healthcare systems, food safety programmes, school feeding initiatives, nutrition interventions, and public awareness campaigns.
Speaking during the meeting, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, reaffirmed the Kano State Government’s commitment to supporting preventive healthcare initiatives and ensuring the successful domestication and implementation of the National Sodium Reduction Guidelines.
Also speaking, Dr. Ibrahim Aliyu Gano stated that sodium reduction aligns with the priorities of the Kano State health system, particularly in the areas of public health, disease prevention, food safety, nutrition, and health promotion. He noted that the initiative would strengthen ongoing interventions and improve public health outcomes through evidence-based implementation.
On behalf of the Federal Ministry, Mr. Femi Stephen stressed the importance of state-level leadership in achieving Nigeria’s sodium reduction targets, describing Kano State as well-positioned to serve as a model for implementation due to its institutional structures and capacity.
He assured the state government of the Federal Ministry’s technical and programmatic support toward the successful domestication of the guidelines.
In his remarks, Mr. Batet Musa of Resolve to Save Lives commended Kano State for its proactive commitment, while Barrister Emem Udoh highlighted the state’s achievements in health sector reforms, including the Kano Public Health Law and Kano Public Health Security Law, which provide a strong legal framework for implementing sodium reduction policies.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment by all parties to strengthen collaboration, enhance public awareness, and promote healthier diets aimed at reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases 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.
