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Author: Hussaina Yakubu

  • KDSG to support 15,000 women with N4.5bn

    KDSG  to support 15,000 women with N4.5bn
    Domestication
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna June 28,2024(NAN)The Kaduna State Government has approved N4.5billion as a special intervention for no fewer than 15,000 women in the state.
    The state government has also expressed its commitment to the domestication of the National Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy.
    The Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, made  this known  at a one-day citizens’ engagement workshop.
    It was organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), to support the domestication of  the national policy in the state Friday in Kaduna
    She disclosed that the state was determined to invest in women and girls through various interventions in economic development, education, agriculture, and entrepreneurship
    While commending the centre for supporting the state in domesticating the policy, Salisu assured that the state would be a pacesetter in promoting, developing, and uplifting the standard of living of women.
    The commissioner also said, ”So far, so good in the areas of social intervention, cash transfers, skills acquisition, education, and social development,” adding that launching the policy would enable more investment and inclusion in the state.
    Earlier, the Executive Director of the centre, Dr Judith-Ann Walker, represented by the Director of Partnerships and Communications, Malam Hassan Karofi, said the rationale behind the support to the state was to support inclusion
    She added that 24 more states have been earmarked to be supported to domesticate the policy.
    Walker said that Nigeria stood to earn over $2.5billion in investment and economic growth when the policy was domesticated and implemented by the sub-nationals.
    She added that with over 50 per cent of the citizens as women, Kaduna State stoods to benefit from the immense economic opportunities derivable from empowered women.
    In her presentation, the Gender Lead at the Albright Stonebridge Group, Mrs Rimicit Aboki, challenged the sub-national governments to explore the value inherent in domesticating and implementing the policy to unlock the potential of women’s economic empowerment.
    In her remarks ,the World Bank representative,Julia Vaillan ,Head, Nigeria Gender Innovation Lab represented by Mr Musa Yusuf commended the state government for embracing the policy.
    She assured that the bark would  provide technical assistance to the state to support the domestication of the policy. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  •  Editors seek unified action against sexual harassment in varsities

     Editors seek unified action against sexual harassment in varsities
    Meeting
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Media experts have called for a unified effort to eradicate sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
     This appeal was made in a communique issued at the end of a one-day ‘Residential Consultation with Media Editors in Nigeria’.
    It was held in partnership with Alliances for Africa (AfA) and Co-Impact, from June 23 to 25, 2024, at Bolton White Hotel, Abuja.
    The communique, signed by 30 participants from various media organizations, highlights the need for governmental agencies and relevant bodies to provide support and resources for implementing the meeting’s resolutions.
     The recommendations include: Validating gender unit heads’ suitability, promoting women’s leadership, involving media in reporting harassment, and launching annual documentation of harassment cases.
    The communique also called for active participation from all stakeholders to eradicate sexual harassment in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
    It also called for collaboration with the media by engaging specific mainstream media houses through courtesy visits and continuous interactions.
    ”Tip-off and progressively involve the media when civil society organizations (CSOs) receive reports of sexual. harassment.
    ”Establish relationships between media houses and tertiary institutions to share story ideas,”the communique continued.
    The meeting also encouraged the active participation of men who champion women’s rights in sexual harassment advocacy ‘#HeforShe’.
    It added, “Women’s inclusivity by promoting  women’s leadership roles in tertiary institutions.”
    The communique wanted the conduct of campaigns which would include  traditional commercials and social media efforts, to push for the assent of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill.
    It also urged media houses to support the campaign by holding them accountable to their corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments.
    It also sought for the launch and annual documentation of reported cases of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions to create scorecards and benchmarks.
    The communique further recommend  the training  and support for journalists  on uncovering, documenting, reporting, and following up on sexual harassment cases.
    The meeting also observed that sexual harassment was prevalent and under-reported in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
    The communique said,” Heads of gender units often lack the necessary knowledge to address harassment effectively.
    ”Survivors and stakeholders who report harassment are not adequately protected from retaliation.
    ”Committees addressing harassment cases are predominantly male and often fail to submit reports.
    ”Media houses frequently lack the resources needed for thorough investigations.
    ”National and sub-national policies on sexual harassment are inconsistently applied.”
    According to the communique, sexual harassment negatively impacts not only survivors but also the institutions’ reputation and society at large.
    The communique called on all the stakeholders, including media houses, government agencies, and CSOs to join in the collective effort to eradicate sexual harassment from Nigerian tertiary institutions.
    ”Government agencies and other bodies must provide the necessary support and resources to implement these resolutions successfully,” it further urged. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Protesters urge Gov. Sani to invite EFCC to arrest predecessor

    Protesters urge Gov. Sani to invite EFCC to arrest predecessor
    Protest
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna June 2024(NAN) Protesters on Thursday stormed Kaduna Government House, asking Gov. Uba Sani to invite the officials of EFCC and other relevant security agencies to prosecute his predecessor, Nasil El-Rufai, over an alleged fraud of N423billion.
    The protesters, in their large numbers, conducted the peaceful protest under the auspices of  a group, ‘Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG)’.
    They began trekking  from UTC  Bus stop that leads to the Government House, singing solidarity songs for Sani and displayed several placards with different inscription.
    They condemned  the alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of power and a growing debt burden incurred for eight years by the last  administration.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that sme of the inscriptions read, “We will occupy all MDAs to chase out all indicted persons in the report’.
    Others were: ‘Stop servicing all loans that did not follow due process before they were obtained. Jimi Lawal almost killed Kaduna State the way he killed a bank some years ago’.
    NAN further recalled that on March 30, 2024, Sani had revealed during a town hall meeting that the state was facing  a substantial debt burden of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contractual liabilities inherited from the previous administration.
    He lamented ,”This has led to over 70 per cent of the state’s allocation being used to service the inherited debts.”
    NAN also reports that, in response, the Kaduna State House of Assembly formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the state’s financial transactions from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.
    The committee, led by Henry  Magaji, submitted its findings on June 5, 2024, revealing significant unaccounted funds and alleged irregularities in financial transactions.
    The report highlighted the alleged mismanagement of funds, diversion of loans, over-payment of contractors, and lack of transparency in the usage of state funds.
    Addressing journalists shortly after arriving Government House, the Chairman of the protesting group,Victor Duniya said, “We, the Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance , appreciate your presence as we express our grievances today.
    ”Our state has endured financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and a growing debt burden for the past eight years.”
    He further explained that the most troubling finding was the alleged diversion of N10.5billion meant for pastoral nomadism and the construction of the Milk Industry at Damau, Kubau LGA and that of Galaxy Mall, Kaduna
    Duniya added that the report uncovered over-payments to contractors, payments to unregistered companies, and funds disbursed for work not completed, amounting to over N36.3 billion.
    “The report also revealed large sums of money withdrawn from the state treasury without proper documentation of its usage.
    ”Furthermore, an expenditure of over N11 billion on a non-existent MRT transportation scheme was documented with no evidence to support it,” he said.
    He added that as concerned citizens, they condemn in the strongest terms possible, the alleged outright and merciless looting of the state.
    The group also commended Sani for holding on to the ideals of the democracy he worked for by not interfering in the activities of assembly as widely expected.
    Duniya added, “We commend  Sani for running an open government, where regular consultations are carried out with the various stakeholders, especially during town hall meetings.
    “We commend the Kaduna State House of Assembly for the thorough work done in unraveling the financial atrocities committed against our state, in spite of blackmails and threats from the beneficiaries of the alleged financial heist.”
    The group further called on Sani to implement relevant sections of the report that fell under his purview.
    “We call on him to officially forward the findings of the committee report to the  relevant anti-corruption agencies to enable them to swing into action and recover our resources at their disposal,” he said.
    The chairman of the group was later received by the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Hadiza Balarabe,  Secretary to the State Government, Abdulkadir Meyere, Deputy Chief of Staff, Umar Hassan-Waziri, Private Personal Secretary (PPS) and Prof. Bello Ayuba, among others.
    The government officials appreciated the group’s peaceful protest and assured them that their message would be forwarded to the governor who was unavoidably absent at the time the protesters arrived government house.(NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Food safety practices, critical to public health — Experts

    Food safety practices, critical to public health — Experts
    Safety
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 13, 2024 (NAN)  Experts have called for increased awareness on food safety practices to promote public health.
    One of them, Mr John Tehinse, CEO of Funta Service Nigeria Ltd. spoke in an interview shortly after a training session he facilitated in Kaduna, which was organised by Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
     He encouraged the people to avoid unhealthy and contaminated foods due to their dangers to health.
    The training on safety and food security was organized for women and youth-led businesses across Chikun, Kauru, Lere, and Jere LGAs.
     The event was supported by GAIN under the Strengthening Nutrition in Priority Staples (SNIPS) project.
    Tehinse emphasized the importance of stakeholders across the food chain understanding food safety, which is critical to public health.
    He highlighted that food produced without following proper safety practices posed significant risks to consumers.
    “Contaminated food can cause food poisoning. Food left for too long in an unprotected environment gets contaminated, leading to stomach pains and long-term health issues,” Tehnise said.
    He stressed that nutritious food must also be safe and urged Nigerians to adopt food safety as a culture.
    Tehinse praised GAIN for involving communities that lacked basic facilities in food processing.
    “GAIN has significantly impacted by educating people who handle a major portion of food from rural to urban areas on food safety,” he said.
    In a separate interview, Mrs Patricia Monwuba, a retired Deputy Director of NAFDAC, also facilitated a session on food processing regulations.
     She guided the participants on adhering to food safety standards and regulations to ensure that the food sold was safe and nutritious.
    Monwuba emphasized the need for proper food processing practices, including good manufacturing and hygienic practices.
     She advised parents to check labels, expiry dates, health information, and NAFDAC registration numbers when buying processed food.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GAIN is implementing the SNIPS project in partnership with GIZ and the Green Innovation Centre for the Agricultural and Food Sector in Nigeria.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Sani seeks strengthening of democracy, poverty alleviation, food security initiatives

    Sani  seeks strengthening of democracy, poverty alleviation, food security initiatives
    Democracy
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 12, 2024 (NAN)  Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has called for the strengthening of democracy through initiatives focused on poverty alleviation and food security.
    In his Democracy Day message, Sani paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.
    He honoured notable figures such as the late MKO Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chima Ubani, and other pro-democracy, human rights, and labour activists who gallantly fought against military rule.
    “The Nigerian people deserve accolades for embracing democracy and defending it with their blood and sweat.
    ”In spite of some imperfections, democracy remains the best system of government,” he said.
    Sani emphasized that democracy must be nurtured to thrive and endure, urging political actors to shun anti-democratic tendencies and commit to promoting democratic culture and citizenship.
    He underscored the need for Nigeria to strengthen institutions that promote and protect democracy.
     The governor also stressed that democracy would only be meaningful if issues of poverty, unemployment, and food security were addressed.
    Sani stated that since the inception of his administration in May 2023, his government has been ‘pro-people and development-centered.’
     He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the poor, vulnerable, and the under-served in the state.
    “We are revitalizing education to ensure accessible, affordable, and quality education for children of the underprivileged in Kaduna State,” he said.
     Additionally, Sani listed efforts made to boost agriculture like providing agricultural inputs and equipment to smallholder farmers and small-scale agro-processors.
    He also said they included stimulating the economy by supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises and implementing a Rural Transformation Drive.
    According to him, all these efforts were aimed at revitalizing the rural economies, fighting poverty and bridging the rural-urban divide.
    Sani added, “Our administration is bringing development closer to the people. In all we do, we consult with the people, get their inputs, and incorporate them into our policies, programmes, and projects.
    “As we celebrate June 12, our Democracy Day, let us remember that sovereignty belongs to the people.”
    He also said the people must be at the centre of all  political calculations and development efforts.
    Sani said, ”If we push the people to the background, we imperil our democracy.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
     HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Democracy Day: Gov. Sani pardons 110 convicts

    Democracy Day: Gov. Sani pardons 110 convicts

    Celebration

    By Hussaina Yakubu

    Kaduna, June 11, 2024 (NAN) In commemoration of Democracy Day and his one year in office, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced the release of 110 convicts from the Kaduna Custodial Centre.

    Speaking at a ceremony at the centre on Tuesday in Kaduna, Sani said 22 from 110 the convicts were pardoned while the remaining 88 were those under option of fine ranging from N10,000 and above.

    “ This is in accordance with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to grant mercy to a citizen.

    “Some of these convicts also had compensations to pay to their victims, ranging from N150,000 and above, with a few having both fines and compensation elements,’’ he said.

    The governor  further reiterated the need for the people to be law abiding and enjoined them to desist from criminal activities.

    He, however, pledged his administration’s commitment to ensure justice and fairness in governance, adding that his government would  focus on providing support to the poor.

    Sani said, “In my one year in office, I have had the opportunity to pardon deserving inmates during the Oct. 1st, 2023 Independence Day and the Jan. 1st, 2024 New Year celebrations.

    “Today, I am here in person to express my commitment to a reformatory system that fosters positive change.”

    He also decried the increasing number of inmates that were either awaiting or undergoing trial as worrisome, suggesting the need for more efficiency in the judicial process.

    Sani urged the freed convicts to reciprocate the gesture by becoming good citizens.

    In his speech, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), appealed to Chief Judges in the states to ensure that Chief Magistrates were visiting police stations monthly.

    “This is crucial in preventing unnecessary arrests and the congestion of the custodial centres.

    “Magistrates should grant bail, order the release of detainees or ensure that cases are taken to the Courts,’’ Falana advised.

    He also appealed to the state governments to invest in correctional facilities, commending Sani for releasing the convicts.

    Earlier, Isa Mohammed, Controller, National Correctional Service, Kaduna State Command, hailed Sani  for the gesture, adding that the release would reduce pressure on the overstretched facility.

    He appealed to the state government to support the centre with operational vehicles to convey inmates to the Courts.

    ” We need an 18-seater bus for transporting special class inmates and solar-powered solutions for the custodial centre,’’ he said.

    Cyril Inawo, who spoke on behalf of the freed inmates, thanked  the governor for his generosity and pledged that they would be good ambassadors in the society.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    HUM/AH/BRM

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    Edited by Abdul Hassan/Bashir Rabe Mani

     

     

  • NDA, society collaborate to foster peace studies

    NDA, society collaborate to foster peace studies
    Collaboration
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 10, 2024 (NAN) -The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is set to partner with the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) to enhance the study and practice of peace to better manage Nigeria’s security.
     John Ochai, Commandant of the NDA, stated this during a courtesy visit by the SPSP’s delegation led by its President, Nathaniel Awuapila, on Monday in Kaduna.
     The visit was in preparation for the 2024 International Conference of the SPSP, scheduled to be held from July 1-5, 2024.
    The 18th edition of the conference, themed “Community Engagement: Networking Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Capabilities for Tackling Insecurity in Africa,” will be hosted by the NDA.
     Retired Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, former Chief of Army Staff will chair the conference while Prof. Freedom Onuoha from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, will deliver the keynote address.
    Ochai highlighted that NDA as a research University offering numerous courses in peace studies, has significantly contributed to national and international security.
     He emphasized the importance of intellectual engagement in enhancing Nigeria’s peacekeeping efforts and integrating societal perspectives into government policy.
     Awuapila described the upcoming conference as a crucial event for addressing the security challenges in Africa.
    He said that the theme focuses on examining both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to managing insecurity on the continent.
    Awuapila expressed appreciation for the NDA’s strategic partnership and its offer to host the conference.
     He stated that the event would provide a platform for peace scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in robust discussions.
     The conference will feature scholarly presentations and sessions for policymakers to analyze priority security issues.
    He also said that the plenary sessions would address various aspects of managing insecurity in Africa, with the participation of  over 100 experts from Africa, USA, Canada,  UK and Nigeria.
    He explained  that during the conference, the NDA Commandant and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State would be formally inducted as fellows of SPSP. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng.)
    HUM/BRM
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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Nigeria Customs Service seizes pangolin scales worth over N3bn

    Nigeria Customs Service seizes pangolin scales worth over N3bn
    Seizure
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 5, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Operations Unit “B” of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized pangolin scales worth over N3 billion in a significant crackdown against illegal wildlife trade.
    The Comptroller, Federal Operations Unit Zone “B”, Comptroller Shuaibu Ahmadu, made this known at a news conference held on Wednesday in his office in Kaduna.
    He disclosed that NCS operatives, acting on intelligence, raided a hideout known as “slaughterhouse” in the suburbs of Zuru Town, Kebbi State, on Friday, May 24, 2024.
    He said that during the raid, the team discovered and evacuated sacks of pangolin scales, which were subsequently transported to the FOU Zone ‘B’ headquarters in Kaduna.
    The scales, upon examination, weighed 445.45kg and had a duty-paid value (DPV) of N3.955 billion.
    Ahmadu, who said “this operation underscores the unit’s commitment to curb smuggling and protect endangered species”, emphasised that “pangolin is a protected specie under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Nigeria is a signatory.”
    He said all forms of trade involving this species are illegal, adding that “one suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure, while the main suspect remains at large.”
    The comptroller, however, assured that the unit, in collaboration with other agencies, will continue its efforts until the main suspect is apprehended and prosecuted.
    “This offense contravenes Section 55 (1), paragraphs C and I of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Act 2023,” he stated. The success of this operation is due to robust intelligence sharing between the NCS and the Wildlife Office and the dedication of our operatives.”
    The comptroller also noted that illegal trafficking of endangered species is often linked to money laundering activities involving drugs, arms, and other contraband.
    “The potential harm this could have caused if it had not been intercepted is unimaginable,” he added.
    He called on the public to support the NCS in its fight against smuggling, urging collective effort to protect the country’s resources and achieve the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
    Ahmadu reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to enforcing federal government policies in line with international best practices, regardless of any opposition to their operations.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that Pangolins are killed and trafficked in great numbers because their scales are used in traditional Asian medicine
    NAN also reports while their meat is considered a luxury food in many parts of Asia, the skin and other parts are used for various purposes such as fashion.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/HA
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    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

  • ABUTH announces transition to renewable energy

    ABUTH announces transition to renewable energy
    Energy
    By Hussaina Yakubu
    Kaduna, June 3, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Ahmed Hamidu, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Kaduna State, has announced the hospital’s planned transition to renewable energy.
    CMD ABUTH Prof Ahmed Hamidu
    He revealed this in an interview with journalists in his office in Zaria on Monday, expressing concern that “the facility’s monthly electricity consumption of N75 million is unsustainable.”
    He stated each of the critical departments and unit blocks at the hospital would need to gradually transit to renewable energy sources over time.
    According to him, the hospital’s greatest challenge is energy.
    He explained that “last year, we paid around ₦240 million as outstanding payment to Kaduna Electric. By the end of the year, it accumulated to over ₦200 million again.
    “And due to the current increase in the energy tariff, last month alone, we paid ₦25 million, but the latest bill brought to us was ₦75 million.
    “Additionally, we spent ₦47 million on diesel last month. So, when you add everything, we’re talking about over ₦100 million per month for energy, which is not sustainable.
    “We are deeply concerned and don’t know where to get the money. Even if we use all the funds available in the hospital to pay for energy, it wouldn’t be enough.”
    The CMD, however, said that in spite of challenges at the  facility, it would not  increase charges for services.
    He stressed that “we cannot raise the cost of services or health inquiries due to our current challenges and our location in Zaria, which is a civil service town.
    “Increasing the cost of services is not an option because patients would stop coming, and we cannot shut the hospital.
    “If you were here in 2019 when I became the CMD, you wouldn’t have been able to sit in this office due to the state of the hospital.
    “The problem is that the hospital has been under construction for close to 40 years, and some facilities and buildings are deteriorating.”
    The hospital boss appealed to government for assistance, saying “we have exhausted all our funds, including those from patients who pay for services and other consumables.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
    HUM/HA
    Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu