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Author: Muhammad Nasirbashir

  • Jigawa Assembly passes 19 bills, 27 resolutions in 1 year

    Jigawa Assembly passes 19 bills, 27 resolutions in 1 year

    Assembly

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Eighth Jigawa State House of Assembly says it has passed 19 of the 22 bills brought before it since its inauguration on June 12, 2023.

    The Speaker, Mr Haruna Aliyu, disclosed this at a news conference in Dutse on Thursday, to mark his first anniversary in office.

    Aliyu listed the bills to include Second State Supplementary Appropriation Law, No. 2 2023; State Economic Empowerment and Youth Employment Agency Law, No. 3 2023; and State Bureau of Statistics (Amendment No. 1) Law No. 6,  2023.

    Also among the bills are, Economic Planning Board (Amendment No.1) Law No. 4, 2023, State House of Assembly Service Commission Law and Revised Local Government Appropriation Law, to name a few.

    The speaker said that three bills, including Jigawa State Educational Resources Agency Bill – 2024, were pending.

    He said that the other two were: A Bill for a Law to Transform State Educational Inspectorate and Monitoring Unit (SEMU) to Jigawa State Education Quality Assurance Agency, and A Bill for a Law to establish Jigawa State Tsangaya Education Board.

    According to him, the assembly considered several motions and made a total of 27 resolutions within the period under review.

    Giving a breakdown of the sitting of the assembly, Aliyu said it sat 184 times between June 2023 and June 2024.

    He said that the assembly would continue to enact quality laws and people-oriented resolutions for the progress and development of the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/SOA

    Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

  • Jigawa stocks water bodies with 90,000 fingerlings

    Fishery

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Auyo (Jigawa), June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Jigawa government has stocked three water bodies with 90,000 fingerlings to accelerate fishery production in the state.

    Gov. Umar Namadi stated this on Monday during the 2024 Annual Fishing Festival held at Kalgwai barrage waterfront in Auyo Local Government Area of the state.

    Namadi said that 30,000 assorted fingerlings had been stocked in each of the water bodies, to encourage fishery production and enhance food security.

    He said the gesture would also provide livelihoods to improve the social and economic wellbeing of the citizens.

    The governor said that his administration accorded priority to fishery and aquaculture as part of the agriculture transformation programme.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival featured water sport contests such as fishing, gourd racing for male and female categories, swimming, diving, among others.

    NAN also reports that winners across the categories of the contest received different prizes ranging from cash, motorcycles, water pumps, sewing and grinding machines.

    The biggest fish caught during the contest weighed 100 kilogrammes.

    In 2016, the state government stocked 300,000 fingerlings at Warwade Dam in Dutse, and distributed fishing gears and canoes to fishermen in the community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/MAM/RSA

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    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • NAFDAC registers 768 businesses in Jigawa

    NAFDAC

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, July 10, 2024 (NAN) The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has registered 768 businesses in Jigawa between 2001 to date.

    The agency also destroyed expired, banned and unwholesome goods worth N36 million in the state.

    Its Coordinator, Mr Ali Mshelia, said this on Monday in Dutse at a one-day sensitisation exercise for business owners in the state.

    Mshelia said the 768 registered entities offered 3,840 job opportunities to the residents of the state.

    According to him, the agency is ensuring that only safe, efficacious and wholesome regulated products are available to the people.

    He, therefore, enjoined the businesses to support the agency in its drive towards ensuring the circulation of certified regulated products for human consumption.

    Earlier, Mrs Josephine Dayilim, the Director, North-Eest zone of the agency, said the exercise is designed to build the capacity of businesses to produce quality and safe products.

    “The agency decided to embark on a nationwide workshop to educate stakeholders on better ways to ensure that Nigerians enjoy better processed and persevered products.

    “I want to emphasis the importance of adhering to regulatory standards. Your success is intertwined with the trust your customers place in your products.

    “It is not only a legal requirement, but a moral obligation to prioritise the safety and well-being of those who consume, what you produce or sale,” Dayilim said.

    She said the participants would be exposed to good retail, manufacturing, hygiene and operations practices as well as proper application of agrochemicals.

    One of the participants, Mr Umar Babayaro from ATWAP, commended the gesture, adding that the skills learnt would sanitise the regulated business environment in the state.

    The excise was attended by members of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP); National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED), Agrochemical Dealers, Micro, and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES), among others. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/FEO/RSA

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    Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Jigawa Govt. releases N32m for adult radio literacy programme

    Jigawa Govt. releases N32m for adult radio literacy programme

    Literacy
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 10, 2024 (NAN)
    The Jigawa Government has released N32 million for the implementation of its literacy programme by radio with 2, 700 learners for the 2024 session.

    Inaugurating the programme at Gidan Kwari Community in Dutse Local Government Area, the Executive Secretary, Jigawa Agency for Mass Education, Dr Abbas Abubakar, said the programme, designed for adult learners, was aimed at boosting the state’s literacy level.

    Abubakar further said that the programme also aimed at eradicating illiteracy, particularly among adults in rural areas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2,700 participants received solar-powered radio sets, learning materials, including primers, from the State Government for the smooth take-off of the programme.

    He said that the programme would be conducted at 108 centres for the learners, including nomads in the state.

    “This includes the payment of airtime to Radio Jigawa for the programme, payment of  facilitators’ stipends as well as training the facilitators,” he said.

    The executive secretary also said that the agency was striving to move the state’s literacy level from 65 per cent to 71 per cent by the end of the year.

    In a remark, the Leader of a Fulani socio-cultural group in the state, called Kautal Hore, Muhammad Dubuntu, commended the agency for including nomads in its literacy programmes.

    Also, the District Head of Sakwaya, Alhaji Zaharaddeen Basiru, lauded the State Government for the programme.

    Sakwaya, who is also the Ward  Head of the area, said the programme would enable the women participants to ensure proper upbringing of their children.

    They said that it would ensure brighter future for all the beneficiaries.

    “Don’t sell that radio set and we will ensure proper and adequate supervision to ensure that you face your studies,” they said.

    A beneficiary, Birni Adamu, also thanked the agency for initiating the programme.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, I want to say thank you and promise you that we will do our best to excell,” Adamu said.

    On his part, the Special Adviser on Adult Education to Gov. Umar Namadi, Ibrahim Manama, advised the participants to reciprocate the gesture by being serious with their studies. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • 2 indigent SLUK students get ASUU scholarship 

    Scholarship

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, June 10, 2024 The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Sule Lamido University Kafinhausa (SLUK) chapter, has offered scholarships to two indigent students of the institution.

    The university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Sadiq Lawan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Dutse.

    Lawan said that under the leadership of Dr Mustapha Hussaini, ASUU, SLUK chapter, was committed to making a difference.

    He said that the gesture was a holistic approach to education, and in acknowledgement of the multifaceted challenges being faced by students.

    The PRO said that the scholarship was a proactive step towards creating a just and equitable educational landscape where economic difficulties would not hinder access to opportunities and intellectual growth.

    He said that out of the 13 students that applied for the scholarship, Usman Abdulhamid from Science Education Department and Amir Mustapha from Accounting Department were each considered suitable for the award of N200,000.

    Lawan said that the screening committee also deemed it fit to give the remaining 11 students who applied for the scholarship an assistance of N20,000 each.

    He said that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Muhammad Ibrahim-Yakasai, was committed to the academic growth of the students.

    The PRO listed the students that benefitted from the N20,000 assistance to include, Mubarak Salisu; Abdullahi Idris, Muhammad Ibrahim, Aminu Muhammad and Idris Musa.

    Others were, Nura Muhammad, Hassan Abubakar, Maryam Muhammad, Hassan Musa and Zainab Adamu. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/KOO/AZU
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    Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Azubuike Okeh

     

     

  • Jigawa varsity inaugurates committee on establishment of Faculty of Medicine

    Committee
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 7, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim-Yakasai, Vice-Chancellor, Sule Lamido University (SLU), Kafinhausa, Jigawa, has inaugurated a committee on the establishment of the institution’s Faculty of Medicine.
    This is contained is an statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr Sadiq Lawan, on Friday in Dutse.
    Ibrahim-Yakasai said that the inauguration of the committee was in line with the state government’s commitment to bringing good programmes closer to the indigenes of the state and expanding the institution for academic excellence.
    He stated that in order to ensure the smooth take-off of the programmes, the construction of the faculty building had already been awarded by the state government.
    The vice-chancellor also said that the departments to host basic medical science programmes had been constructed and awaiting necessary furnishing.
    Responding, Chairman of the committee, Prof. Dauda Maigatari, commended the state government for its foresight and the university for considering him and other members worthy of the appointment.
    Maigatari, who is also the Director, University Health Services Directorate, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, promised that the committee would do its best to ensure the establishment of the faculty.
    According to the statement, the committee was charged with the responsibility of coming up with a draft blueprint for the establishment of the proposed faculty, in line with National Universities Commission and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria’s guidelines.
    It was also mandated to offer professional advice and guidance on the establishment of the faculty.
    Members of the committee included: Prof. H.M. Mukhtar, Prof. Idris Sulaiman and Prof. Rabi’u Abdulsalam, all from ABU and Prof. Idris Turaki, Dr Dayyabu Ibrahim and Prof Zubaida Faruq, from Bayero University Kano.
    Others were: Dr Abdullahi Haruna Birniwa, Dr Aminu Abdullahi and Isma’ila Ibrahim, both from the university. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    MNB/WAS
    Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

  • Jigawa Police Command to create additional divisions- PPRO

    Jigawa Police Command to create additional  divisions – PPRO

    Divisions
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Jigawa says it has concluded plans to create four more divisions in the state.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Lawan Shiisu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Thursday.

    Shiisu said the Command had earlier established five Divisions in Sara and Gujungu towns in Taura LGA; Balangu town in Kafinhausha LGA; Yellemen town in Kaugama LGA and Kanya town in Babura LGA.

    He said that the Command would establish the new divisions in Yalwawa and Takur areas of Dutse LGA, Aujara town in Jahun LGA and Fagam town in Gwaram LGA.

    “The Jigawa State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Ahmadu Abdullahi, has added five Divisional Police Headquarters to supplement the 30 Divisions.

    “This brought the divisions to a total of 35 across the state.

    “The Command also plans to create another four divisions within the state. They are: Yalwawa, Takur, Aujara and Fagam divisions.

    “All are in an effort to bring the police closer to the public,” Shiisu said.

    The PPRO said the four new divisions, when in place, would bring the total number of divisions in the state to 39.

    He said it would also go a long way in enhancing security of lives and property of people in the state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/CEO/FAA

    Edited by Chidi Opara/Folasade Adeniran

     

     

     

  • Jigawa LG sets up grain market to boost revenue generation

    Market

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, June 6, 2024 (NAN) The Kirikasamma Local Government Council of Jigawa has established a permanent grain market to boost its revenue drive.

    The Information Officer of the council, Alhaji Musa Muhammad, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Dutse.

    He said the market established Sinamu village would ease transportation difficulties, encourage trade in agricultural produce and boost the council’s revenue base.

    “Sinamu village being a fertile land with huge agricultural output during harvest, deserved a permanent market,” he said, adding that it would also ease transaction processes between sellers and buyers.

    He said the market is envisaged to be a hub of supply for cereal crops and perishable produce to southern part of Nigeria, Ghana and Niger Republics. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/BEN/RSA

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    Edited by Benson Eziama/Rabiu Sani-Ali

  • Malnutrition cases surge 100% in N/East, children are dying  – MSF warns

    Malnutrition cases surge 100% in N.East, children are dying  – MSF warns

    Malnutrition
    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
    Dutse, June 5, 2024 (NAN) Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has warned of devastating surge in severe malnutrition cases among children in northern Nigeria.

    This is contained in a statement by Abdulkareem Yakubu, MSF’s Field Communication Officer in Dutse on Wednesday.

    Yakubu quoted Dr Simba Tirima, MSF’s Country Representative in Nigeria, as saying
    “in recent weeks, MSF’s inpatient facilities in northern Nigeria recorded an extraordinary increase in admission of severely malnourished children with life-threatening complications, exceeding last year’s figures by over 100 per cent in some locations.”

    He explained that for the MSF teams, this is an alarming indication of a premature peak of the lean season and the increase in acute malnutrition that accompanies it, typically anticipated in July.

    “We are resorting to treating patients on mattresses on the floor because our facilities are full. Children are dying.

    “I immediate action is not taken, more lives hang in the balance. Everyone needs to step in to save lives and allow the children of northern Nigeria to grow free from malnutrition and its disastrous long-term, if not fatal, consequences,” Tirima said.

    The MSF said humanitarian assistance must be urgently scaled up.

    Tirima called upon the Nigerian authorities, international organisations and donors to take immediate action to diagnose and treat malnourished children to prevent associated complications and deaths, but also to engage in sustained, long-term initiatives to mitigate the underlying causes of this urgent problem.

    “We’ve been warning about the worsening malnutrition crisis for the last two years. 2022 and 2023 were already critical, but an even grimmer picture is unfolding in 2024. We can’t keep repeating these catastrophic scenarios year after year.

    “What will it take to make everyone take notice and act?,” Tirima said.

    According to him, in April 2024, MSF’s medical team in Maiduguri, Borno, admitted 1,250 severely malnourished children with complications to the inpatient therapeutic feeding centre, doubling the figure for April 2023.

    “Forced to urgently scale up capacity, by the end of May, the centre accommodated 350 patients, far surpassing the 200 beds initially designated for the peak malnutrition season in July and August.

    “Also in the northeast, the MSF-operated facility in Bauchi state’s Kafin Madaki hospital recorded a significant 188 per cent increase in admissions of severely malnourished children during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

    “In the northwestern part of the region, in Zamfara, the inpatient centres in Shinkafi and Zurmi have received up to 30 per cent more monthly admissions in April compared to March.

    “Talata Mafara’s facility saw about 20 per cent increase in the same period. Similarly, MSF inpatient facilities in major cities like Kano and Sokoto are also reporting alarming surges, by 75 and 100 per cent respectively.

    “The therapeutic feeding centre in Kebbi state also documented a rise of more than 20 per cent in inpatient admissions from March to April,” he decried.

    According to him, inspite of the alarming situation, the overall humanitarian response remains inadequate, adding that other non-profit organisations active in the north are also overwhelmed.

    He recalled that the United Nations and Nigerian authorities issued an urgent appeal in May for 306.4 million dollars to address the pressing nutritional needs in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.

    Yet this, he said, will be insufficient, ignoring as it does other parts of northern Nigeria where needs also outweigh the current capacity of the organisations to respond sufficiently.

    He added that the catastrophic nutritional situation seen in recent years in the region calls for a bigger response.

    According to the MSF, persistently excluded from the formal humanitarian response, reductions in the already limited funding available for the northwest have also dangerously affected the provision of crucial therapeutic and supplementary food.

    He added that the supplies were completely unavailable in Zamfara for the first four months of this year and are now only available in lower quantities.

    This reduction has meant that it is only possible to provide treatment for more severe malnutrition cases,ncompromising an effective response that also addresses malnutrition earlier in its progression and avoids exposing children to a higher risk of mortality.

    “We are alarmed by the reduction in aid at these critical times. Reducing nutritional support to only severely malnourished children is akin to waiting for a child to become gravely ill before providing care.

    ”We urge donors and authorities to increase support urgently for both curative and preventive approaches, ensuring that all malnourished children receive the care they desperately need,” Tirima was quoted as saying. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

     

  • Police to build 100 hectares shooting range in Jigawa

    Range

    By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

    Dutse, June 3, 2024 (NAN) The Police Command in Jigawa says it will build a 100-hectare shooting range to enhance training of its personnel in the state.

    The spokesman of the command, DSP Shiisu Lawan stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Monday.

    He said the Jigawa government had allocated 100 hectres of land in Birninkudu Local Government Area for the project.

    “The Jigawa government has allocated 100 hectares of land to the Police Command to build a standard shooting range in Birnin Kudu LGA,” he said.

    According to Shiisu, the facility will fasttrack training of police personnel in musketry and weapon handling, adding that it would also be utilise for Kano, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina commands.

    “This is also an opportunity for training institutions like as Police Training School (PTS) Bauchi, Police Academy (POLCOM), Wudil in Kano State, and other sister security agencies to expose their cadets/trainees to weapon handling.

    “The Birninkudu area of Jigawa is characterised by the activities of fraudsters, where innocent people within and outside the state are lured with counterfeit foreign currencies, particularly U.S. dollars.

    “Having a shooting range there will terrify or disrupt their heinous actions and the area will be more secure,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    MNB/RSA

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    Edited by Rabiu Sani-Ali