KDSG sensitises residents on risks of poor environmental hygiene
hygiene
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June. 28, 2024 (NAN) The Kaduna State Government on Friday began a state-wide sensitisation campaign on the health risks of poor environmental hygiene.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the Deputy Governor, made this known during a road walk exercise to mark the World Sanitation Day on Friday in Kaduna.
The 28th of June every year was declared National Environmental Sanitation Day by the Federal Government in 2005.
It is a day set aside to create awareness on the essence of proper hygiene practices for the prevention of communicable diseases.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Environmental sanitation in the era of climate change, Go greener, Stay clean; Climate change is real”.
According to her, the aim is to sensitise the residents on proper environmental sanitation and hygiene practices in the face of the Cholera outbreak in the country.
Balarabe said, ” We all know that unsanitary environment are responsible for diseases, so we are raising awareness to ensure that the environment is devoid of harm arising from poor environmental hygiene.”
She said it was also necessary to keep the environment safe in the face of climate change, adding, ”so people can make informed decisions while felling trees and practices that affect the environment.”
Balarabe assured that the state would maintain a clean sanitary environment for a greener state.
Also speaking, Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, said the exercise was to help nurture community responsibility and the importance of a healthy environment in the minds of the residents.
He said that the state would close all community dumpsites while commencing on house to house refuse pick-ups.
On sustainability of the sanitation, Buba, assured that the state would be resuming the monthly sanitation exercise for a cleaner environment.
He called on all the residents to ensure that wastes were being packaged properly for evacuation.
Usman Hassan, Chairman, Solid Waste Association, Kaduna chapter, said its members would continue to motivate the residents towards maintaining good hygiene.
He assured that the efforts of the scheme to maintain a clean environment would not be compromised.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Drug
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Kaduna Chapter, on Wednesday, organised a musical street show to draw attention to the adverse effects of drug abuse on victims and society.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaduna raggae artistes, Ranking Deezed, Dan Realman, Ben Chris, Candy I, Da Priest, Sara Yaks, Kephas Rock, Tremor, Nigga Dee and Sammy, V Time Fire, Mr Cool and Bounce performed during the show.
The state PMAN Governor, Dazang Gwom, said the event was organised to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to him, the concert is a new dimension introduced to sensitise young people through music on how indulging in drug abuse would ruin their lives.
Gwom said that illicit drug consumption had reached troubling levels, fueling crimes and risky behaviour that could harm youths and society.
“It is, therefore, very important for PMAN and relevant key stakeholders to join hands with government to tackle this menace, which is on the rise daily, before it completely destroys our society,” he said.
While acknowledging that some celebrities had been linked to drugs, Gwom, clarified that not all entertainers were involved in such a lifestyle.
Aishatu Saleh, Assistant Supretendent of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), commended PMAN for collaborating with the agency to fight drug abuse.
Saleh said that if drug menace amongst the youths was not promptly addressed as a national priority, the consequences could be dire.
She said: “The current level of crimes would be a child’s play.
“This is not the time for everyone to keep quiet, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we tackle the manace of drugs.”
Saleh urged parents to pay closer attention to their kids’ activities and friendships to curtail negative influence.
Speaking to the crowd, Happy Kuri, Mental Care Nurse, Kaduna State Beareu for Substance Abuse, Prevention and Treatment, said that drug abuse is a social challenge that must be controlled.
She said that the agency had six offices across the metropolise for quick, easy access to drug abuse victims for rehabilitation, counselling and treatment.
Kuri gave assurance that the offices would provide discretion to avoid stigma as it was located at the Primary Health Care Centers (PHC’s) across the metropolise.
She listed the PHC’s locations as Sabo Tasha, Bagado, Ungwar Sarki, Rigasa, Maraban Jos, Zaria and Kabala.
She called on the youths to shun the use of substance, set goals, boundaries and avoid bad company as they have a lot of influence. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Forum lauds Gov. Sani, CDS for tackling insecurity in Kaduna
Security
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June. 26, 2024 (NAN)The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF) has commended the collaboration by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, towards tackling insecurity in the state.
Ango Bally, Chairman of the forum, made this known in a press statement issued to journalists on Wednesday in Kaduna.
According to him, the synergy has led to the establishment of three new military commands in Samaru Zango-Kataf, Giwa, and Birnin-Gwari, in addition to a base to be set up by the Air Force in Millennium City, Chikun Local Area.
He said the strategic moves would significantly help in addressing the protracted banditry, kidnapping, and other security threats in the region while enhancing agricultural activities in the state.
Bally said, “The forum is optimistic that the deployment of additional military personnel would significantly improve security and enable farmers to access their lands without fear.”
He listed the communities as Maro-Kajuru, Kauru, Sanga, Giwa and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas that have been witnessing persistent banditry attacks.
Bally added, ” A robust military presence in the areas, will no doubt bring sanity by boosting citizens, farmer’s confidence for robust agricultural activities to combat poverty and unemployment across the state.”
The forum also commended the governor’s initiative to further enhance security across the state by distributing 150 patrol vehicles and 500 motorbikes to various security agencies.
The forum equally recognised Sani’s laudable efforts in uniting the state towards achieving sustainable peace through the formation of the Kaduna Elders’ Forum to help chart a new course for the unity and development of the state.
The forum congratulated Sani for marking one year in office and particularly lauded his efforts towards inclusive governance as evident with the recent inauguration of development projects that cut across Southern and Northern parts of the state.
Bally said, ”However, we are calling on the governor to take deliberate practical steps to reconcile the regrettable retrogressive politics by building bridges of unity and inclusive politics across the state for sustainable development to be achieved.”
In the same vein, the forum called on Sani to demonstrate the pro-democracy, rule of law to respect, implement the court judgment which nullified the dethronement of Piriga traditional ruler, Chief Jonathan Zamuna.
Bally said, “Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali’s judgement of the National Industrial Court sitting in Kaduna, had on June 10, declared the dethronement of Chief Zamuna null and void for lack of fair hearing and ordered for his reinstatement with all salaries arrears paid and all privileges restored within 30 days.
”The court also ordered the Kaduna state government to pay Chief Zamuna N10 million damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights. The copy of judgement has already been released.“(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Flooding: KDSG, ACReSAL desilt 160km drainages in Kaduna
Desilting
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June. 24, 2024 (NAN) The World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), on Monday began a 160-kilometers drainage desilting project across the state to mitigate flooding.
Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, who inaugurated the exercise in Kaduna said it would be conducted across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Buba pointed out that ahead of the rainy season, the drainages needed to be evacuated to allow free flow of water and prevent floods beginning with Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria metropolises.
He said that blockage of drainages was partly responsible for some of the past incidences of flooding in some parts of the state.
“As you may be aware, most drainages in major towns in the state have been taken over by refuse, sand plastics and other debris.
“As part of our proactive measures under the ACReSAL project, we want to clear them and ensure that the rain flows seamlessly into major drains and into River Kaduna,” he said.
The commissioner said sensitisation was ongoing by officials of the ministry, solid waste service providers as well as religious and community leaders.
He said that the sensitisation was key to ensuring that people desist from the bad habit of dumping refuse in drainages, adding that the effort was receiving tremendous support from the people
“All we want to see is for people to imbibe the habit of dumping their refuse in designated places and disposing of it in the prescribed manner,” the commissioner said.
On his part, ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Mr Jibril Dahiru, said that the effort was part of the project’s strategies to prevent erosion, land degradation and mitigate climate change.
Dahiru explained that ACReSAL was designed to address the menace of gully erosion and land degradation.
He pointed out that relevant agencies have already warned of impending heavy downpours.
“This means we have to take proactive steps to prevent flooding in Kaduna State, and we can do this by clearing our drainages and sensitising people against dumping of refuse in drainages,” Dahiru said.
He appealed to the residents to support the state government’s efforts in managing the environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Kaduna, June 14, 2024 (NAN) The Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), on Thursday, organised a funfair for students of Demonstration School for Deaf Children (DSDC) in Kaduna, to make them have a sense of belonging.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the children perform a dance choreography and a drama on the dangers of cutting down trees and its impact on climate change.
The children were later taken outside to the school field where they played all kinds of games – table ludo, crossing the bridge, rowing the boat, table soccer, puzzle and skipping, including painting.
The founder and Programme Director, WISE, Mrs Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, explained that the essence was to celebrate the 2024 Children’s Day and 2024 World Play Day with the children.
The goal, according to her, is to make the hearing-impaired children have a sense of belonging, particularly during commemoration of national and international days.
She added that the funfair was also to foster a sense of inclusive and sustainable cities and communities for the Nigerian child, through green skills engagement and play.
“Children are close to our heart, and we know they are the future. We have been talking about sustainable development, but there is no way we can leave out the children and the youths, because they are future.
“We have done a lot of injustice to the environment and to the climate. Man, over time, has abused the environment and has been living in disharmony with nature.
“That is why we are grooming children and mentoring our youths to begin to take care of the environment, because what we did to the environment today, is what it will give back to us tomorrow,” she said.
She explained that the games children play could be harnessed to stair consciousness around sustainability in the minds of the children.
She added that as active participants in driving climate solutions, children could be guided to begin to think about how they want the environment and their neighbourhood to look like.
Some of the students of Demonstration School for the Deaf, Kaduna, painting their imaginations using water colour on paper while the Principal, Mrs Victoria Adesina (in red) looks on.
Olugboji-Daramola also said that children and young people could be inspired to design cities with the right facilities in the right places and build beautiful houses with landscapes.
“These are something they can do with toys, and we are here today to explore play in engaging the children.
“This is in line with the 2024 World Play Day theme, “Toy Libraries grow sustainable cities and communities through play.
“We are encouraging the children to bring out their skills to artistically give us a picture of what they think the environment should look like or tell us a story through arts and through play, about how we can better protect our environment,” she explained.
She said that WISE would consider long-term partnership with the DSDC and other primary and secondary schools in the state to mentor and build the capacity of school children in addressing climate change.
One of the students, Usna Auwal, said: I feel excited; I am having fun.
“Some groups of people have visited us before and all they do is come and share things for us and go, but WISE came, celebrated with us, stayed with us, and played games with us.
“So, we feel equal with the people around us,” she said.
Auwal also said that she learned the importance of protecting the environment, keeping it green.
“I have particularly learned that when you cut a tree, then you have to plant more trees to replace it,” she added.
Similarly, Hafiz Umar, a JSS III student, said his day was fun, having participated in paintings, skipping, and playing different games, saying, “It is so wonderful having people in our school to celebrate with us.
“I want the government to help build our Senior Secondary Schools section because I am already worried that as soon as I finish, I will have to leave the school.
“We also government to help us, the less privileged, by providing learning materials for us.”
Some of the students of Demonstration School for the Deaf, Kaduna, solving a puzzle during a funfair organised by Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment in Kaduna.
Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mrs Victoria Adesina, said that the charity school, with a population of 108 students was established in 1987 by a Canadian daughter of a hearing-impaired mother.
Adesina explained that the school runs nursery, primary and junior secondary and was being funded with donations from individuals, and organisations.
She added that the parents don’t pay school fees but a voluntary token, stressing that the majority of the students were from low-income families where feeding was a huge problem.
“Our dream is to have a senior secondary school within the school environment to encourage transition and completion of their secondary education.
“Before, after graduation from Junior secondary school, the students go to the secondary school for the deaf in Jos, Ilorin or Abuja, but with the security challenges, that is no longer feasible.
“A few of them, however, proceed to Kaduna State Special Education School, with many eventually graduating for colleges of education and others obtaining university degrees,” she said.
The principal also identified lack of sufficient funds to construct the senior secondary school section and for payment of the salaries for the 20 teaching and non-teaching staff in the school.
Other challenges, according to her, are resources needed for the maintenance of the school facilities and payment of utility bills. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Kaduna, June. 13, 2024 (NAN) The Ministry for Environment and Natural Resources has commenced the training of 450 foresters on Geographical Information Services (GIS) to safeguard the state’s forests.
Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment, made this known on Thursday at the opening of a three-day capacity building training for forest personnel in Kaduna.
He said the training was necessary to enhance the capacity of its personnel on modern technology in forestry utilisation, conservation and management.
Represented by Asma’u Adamu, Deputy Director, Forestry, Buba said GIS would provide support for acquiring accurate and up-to- date information for an effective decision-making process.
He said that 450 forestry staffers and forest rangers were the beneficiaries of the training.
“Today, the trend is to manage forest reserves holistically through the use of the Geographical Information System (GIS).
”So, we are training our personnel to monitor changes in the environment and correct any anomalies in the ecosystem,” he said.
In his remarks, Ephraim Kyari, Chief Executive, Growth Solutions Providers (GSP), said forest rangers were saddled with the responsibility of protecting the state’s forests, hence the need to equip them with modern technology.
He said the training was aimed at exploring the development and predictable future of forest information systems for sustainable forest management.
Kyari said, ” In the past, conventional forest inventories equipment, maps on papers were used and this led to poor recording and retrieval of information.
”Presently, improved measurement equipment and technologies such as GIS, remote sensing, and other database management systems have made the job easier.”
Also speaking, the facilitator, Maikano Samson, a Lecturer at the College of Forestry, said GIS had provided an effective tool for monitoring changes in the environment.
He said, ” The objective of this short-term training is to make the participants familiar with the technology and application of remote sensing and GIS in forest management.
Samson said that good knowledge of remote sensing and GIS would be of great help for the trainees to tackle issues of encroachment in forest reserves. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Kaduna agency trains 1, 416 community project managers
Training
By Ezra Musa
Kaduna, June. 8, 2024 (NAN) The Kaduna State Community and Social Development Agency (KADCSDA), says it is training 1,416 community project managers to ensure quality of basic infrastructural services.
Muhammed Mukaddas, General Manager of the agency, made this known at a one-day training to build the capacities of Community Project Management Committees (CPMC), on Micro Projects (MPs) Implementation in Kaduna.
Mukaddas said that the training was necessary to empower 177 communities across 23 Local Government Areas with basic knowledge of book keeping, community procurement, monitoring, evaluation and maintenance of the project.
“Currently, the agency has concluded appraisal of 177 communities across 23 LGAs of the state in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation as identified by the various communities,’’ he said.
He said that the project was part of the agency’s mandate to ensure the reduction in poverty levels within communities.
He added that this would be achieved by bridging the gap of unreached groups through a Community-Driven Development approach (CDD), targeted at the provision of basic social and infrastructure services in rural and urban poor areas.
On her part, Mrs Oyigwe Sunny, -monitoring and evaluation manager of the agency, explained that the CDD approach had empowered communities on project implementation as identified by the community.
“As part of the agency’s responsibility, we are to bring government close to the people by guiding the people to carry on with the project implementation,” she said.
She said that the programme was a World Bank-supported project tagged, ‘Uba Sani CARES.’
Sunny, therefore, commended the participants for a high turn-out.
Also, Mr Ibrahim Mato, Chairman, CPMC Kachia LGA, commended KADCSDA for the enlightenment toward maintaining infrastructural development in communities.
He promised that each project would be guided by the community for sustainability.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was simultaneously held for Kaduna North, Kaduna central and Kaduna South Senatorial zones.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Kaduna, June 5, 2024 (NAN) As the world marks this year’s Environment Day, the Kaduna State Government says it will plant 10 million trees across the front-line local government areas to prevent desertification in the state.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe, the State Deputy Governor, disclosed this on Wednesday during an event to mark the 2024 World Environment Day in Kaduna.
The theme of this year’s day is: ‘Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience’.
According to her, land degradation, drought, desertification and their impact on the environment and human livelihoods have become pressing issues of global environmental concerns that require urgent attention.
She said that land degradation was both a cause and consequence of climate change.
”Its restoration offers a powerful solution with the potential to limit climate change and achieve sustainable development goals,” she added.
The deputy governor disclosed that the state had developed its climate change policy which would launch a 10 million tree planting campaign.
“The project will serve as a major carbon sink and provide numerous benefits including carbon credits to build resistance,” she explained.
“Land restoration offers a powerful solution with the potential to limit climate change and achieve sustainable development goals,” she explained.
The deputy governor called on other public institutions, the private sector, civil society organisations and other groups to support government initiatives.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Abubakar Buba, Commissioner for Environment, had said that the day was a call to action for collective efforts to save the environment.
“It is most pertinent that we intentionally work toward sustaining the balance in our ecosystem by keeping our planet replenished with its natural forms and maintaining its equilibrium,” he said.
Uman Danlami, Chairman, House Committee on Environment, said the climate change crisis was real and its impacts are already being felt in our communities.
He expressed the readiness of his colleagues in the Assembly to give the document speedy attention when it gets to the house, due to its importance to the State.
Danlami called on the residents of the state to plant trees to combat climate change.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlights of the event were tree planting, presentation of awards to eco-friendly environment organisations and the winners for the school quiz competition. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
