Headlines
COVID-19: Kano to provide palliatives to journalists in lockdown period
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano state has pledged to support journalists with palliatives whenever a lockdown is declared in the state to tackle the spread of the coronavirus disease otherwise known as COVID-19.
KANO FOCUS reports that Muhammad Garba, the state’s Commissioner for Information said this on Monday, during a one-day training organised by the Kano Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) for journalists in the state on the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I discussed with the governor (Abdullahi Umar Ganduje) on the need to consider the critical role the journalists play in times of disaster.
“The state government is very much aware of the challenges journalists face in critical and disastrous times such as the COVID-19 pandemic, so the government will do its best to guarantee their safety during the trying time of the pandemic,” he said.
“There is need for government to see how it can support the media in this time of COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever support that is going to be given to other sectors, the media will surely be considered.
“We will work together with the media and see how we can overcome this pandemic which has caused serious harm to the entire world,” Mr Garba added.
The commissioner, who chaired the occassion, described journalists as very important professionals, whose services remained critical “in this unfortunate era of COVID-19.”
He however, tasked journalists to live above board and remain responsible while disseminating information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
He pointed out that there was the need for journalists to be guided by the Code and Ethics of the noble profession at all times.
He described the workshop as very timely and needful and charged participants to tap from the knowledge of resource persons who were there to make presentations.
Similarly in her remark, Chairman of the Broadcasters Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Sa’a Ibrahim charged news managers to develop ways of engaging people on the necessary measures they are expected to take to prevent themselves from contracting the COVID-19.
Mrs Ibrahim, who is also the Director General, Kano State own Television, Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) also called for more of such training.
Also, the General Manager of Vision FM Kano, Adamu Ladan highlighted some measures that will help participants to protect themselves from contracting the virus.
According to him, “Media professionals need to look back at past disasters and provide background information through research and draw lessons from other news rooms, governments and so forth to be able to learn from them.
“Media professionals need to be educated to be able to educate others, for that reason a high level of professionalism needs to be put in place for the desired goals to be achieved.” he said.
In his address, the NUJ chairman, Abbas Ibrahim said “there is no better time than now when the world is battling the coronavirus pandemic and Nigeria is not an exception.”
According to him, “the media needs to be equipped with the knowledge of how to shape reportage for the desired goals of disseminating reliable information to be achieved and do away with the spread of fake news in this trying times”.
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.
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.
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.
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