Headlines
UNICEF tasks journalists on promoting children’s cause
Nasiru Yusuf and Aminu Abdullahi
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, has tasked journalists in Kano to accord priority attention to children’s cause.
KANO FOCUS reports that UNICEF chief field officer in Kano Maulid Warfa made the appeal during a partnership and network strengthening meeting with Kano Media.
He said it is high time for journalists to restrategise on how to approach issues affecting children from Kano and Northwestern Nigeria.
According to him statistics shows that Kano is lagging far behind other states in the area of immunization, malnutrition, birth registration, infant and child mortality.
Mr Warfa observed that 178 out of 1,000 children in Kano died before they reach five years.
He noted that the children are dying not because of chronic illness but preventable diseases.
In her remarks the Director General of ARTV Sa’a Ibrahim charged journalists to exhibit professionalism in their reportage.
She described journalists as bridge between policy makers and people, hence the need to maintain credibility.
In her address the convener of the programme, Farida Umar Abdu said the meeting was to sensitize the participants on UNICEF missions, mandate and current UNICEF priorities.
The meeting according to her was to discuss how UNICEF & the media in Kano atate can both strengthen their relationship in support of children’s issues in Kano and beyond as well as look at the the areas of media support and modalities identified and agreed upon.
Also speaking the UNICEF communication specialist Samuel Kaalu said UNICEF is operating in 190 countries advocating for the protection of children’s right.
Also speaking the social policy specialist of Unicef in Kano Ramatu Buda Aliyu said that about 55%per cent of the people in the state are living below poverty as revealed by the national bureau of statistics.
“It is a major concern that the poverty among young population in the state. The data showed that most of Kano people are living under 375 naira a day.
” The state level has to think more strategically and put the system to address the challenges,” she said.
She added that UNICEF partners journalists to improve well being of children.
“It is sad in 2018, 15℅ of the cases recorded in Kano state Hisbah Command were children sexual abuse.
“While 63℅ per cent of children don’t have a birth certificate,” Ms Aliyu said.
She said that in collaboration with journalists UNICEF would ensure that children have access to quality education, health care, information and other services.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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