​Kano inaugurates 25% school fees reduction enforcement committee

A high powered committee for the enforcement of 25 per cent reduction of school fees in all private and voluntary schools in the state has been inaugurated on Friday.

This was announced to newsmen by the state’s Commissioner of Education, Malam Muhammad Sanusi Sa’id Kiru while he tasked the members to ensure full compliance with the government’s directive.

Inaugurating the 27-member committee in his office, the Commissioner tasked the members to ensure full compliance of the government’s directives by all Private and Voluntary schools across the state in respect of 3rd term school fees.

He further charged members of the Committee to identify the recalcitrant schools as well as to make recommendations for appropriate disciplinary actions against them.

While expressing confidence in the caliber of the Committee members, he urged them to work as enforcement agents so as to achieve the set objectives

He, however, frowned at the attitudes of the defaulting private school proprietors, saying that government will not reverse its decision on the reduction.

In her remark, the Chairperson of the Committee, Hajiya Lauratu Ado Diso assured the Commissioner of their determination to see to the success of the Committee.

Hajiya Lauratu Diso who is also the Permanent Secretary of the ministry appealed to the Committee members to work tirelessly with a view to achieving maximum successes

Members of the Committee include Hajiya Lauratu Ado Diso as chairperson, Ahmed Tijjani Idris, Halima Sadiya Tukur, Barr. Ibrahim Ammani and Gwani Abdussalam Abdulqadir.

Other members are Malam Auwal Aqilu, Malam Hamza Yunusa, Mustapha Idris, Sani Garba Yakasai, Auwalu Ya’u KK, Ali Ahmad, Salisu Idris, Balarabe Alhassan, Sagir Umar Danbare and Salisu Auwalu.

Also in the Committee, are Hadiza S. Bako, Nura Muhammad, Shehu Na’Abba, Hussaini Muhammad, Dr. Shehu Shu’aib Kura, and Musa Garba Gama.

Similarly, Usman Shu’aibu, Abubakar T. Abdurrahman, Hajiya Umma, and Abdurrahman Magaji are also among the Committee members while the DAGS of the ministry Comrade Dalha Isa Fagee will serve as the secretary.

It is worth noting that the membership of the Committee was drawn from the ministry and its parastatals.

The committee members are to also go round the schools and consult widely with the parents to identify defaulting schools for appropriate sanctioning.

Women NGOs Seek Support For Women Empowerment, Ending Violence

The Federation of Muslim Women’s Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and other women Non-governmental organizations have sought the support of traditional leaders on empowerment and ending all forms of violence against women and girls.

The National Amira, FOMWAN, Dr Halima Jibril, stated this when members of the association, Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Nigeria Girls Guide, paid a courtesy visit to the Gomo of Kuje on Thursday.

According to Jibril, the visit was part of the Risk Communication and Community Engagement Project (RCCE) supported by UN Women, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, WOWICAN, Nigeria Girls Guide to promote the health and well-being of the community, and improve women’s leadership skills and economy.

She explained that the project would empower 10,000 women in 10 states, comprising Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Gombe, Sokoto, Lagos and the FCT over a period of six months.

The Amira noted that the project was in response to the ravages of Covid-19, which had led to several deaths, unemployment and increase in violence against women and girls.

” Covid-19 has given birth to another pandemic, gender based violence targeted at women and girls.

“This has led to killings of women and girls, rape and other forms of sexual abuse. Domestic violence is also on the increase, thereby putting women and girls at risk,” she said.

Jibril, therefore, appealed to community leaders to ensure that members of traditional institutions adopt the Covid-19 guidelines, promote education, support women empowerment, while assuring that the strategies were to eliminate all forms of GBV, support the survivors and ensure prosecution of perpetrators according to the law.

She appealed to the traditional rulers to explore structures and culture that protect women and girls against GBV, as well as re-examine practices that does not promote the wellbeing and dignity of women.

Mrs Florence Olaleye, PRO, FCT branch, Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) stressed the need for the girl-child to be empowered, to enable her know her rights and fight against any form of violence.

“We don’t want women to be enslaved, we want to see a good representation of women in political positions because wherever women lead you will see progress and peace,” she said.

Also, Mrs Ilesanmi Obafunso, FCT Commissioner, Nigerian Girl Guides Association, said implementing the programme would reduce the challenges of women and improve their economic status.

Obafunso reiterated the commitment of her organization towards motivating and raising the “girl child” to be a responsible adult citizen in the society.

Responding, the Gomo of Kuje, Alhaji Haruna Jibrin, assured them of the council’s support towards promoting education and women empowerment in the community.

NAN reports that various women and youths’ associations, wives of traditional rulers in the FCT and some council members were present at the advocacy meeting. (NAN)

Sokoto laments 16% NIMC enrolment

The Sokoto State Government has vowed to ensure that 74 per cent of indigenes of the state who were yet to be enrolled into the Nigerian Identity management system are duly registered .

The state deputy governor , Manir Dan ’iya , said this while receiving the Sokoto State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission , Malam Garba Balarabe , who paid him a courtesy call in his office , on Thursday.

Dan ’iya , while standing in for Governor Aminu Tambuwal , described the 16 per cent enrollment figure for the state as low when compared to other states .

He said , “The number of those so far registered in the state pales into insignificance when compared to an estimation of over five million people that make up the population of the State .

“I , therefore , urge our people , especially those living in rural areas , to avail themselves of the enrollment as there are multiple benefits to derive from doing so. ”

Earlier, Balarabe explained that he was in the Deputy Governor ’ s office to officially present to him his permanent ID card and also intimate him on the level of enrollment recorded in Sokoto , which is very alarming compared to other states .

​COVID-19: PTF concerned about mental health of survivors-Mustapha

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has expressed concern over the mental state of survivors of COVID-19 in the country.

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the taskforce, expressed the concern in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the taskforce.

“The PTF is still very much concerned about the mental health of survivors of the COVID-19 virus.

“In this regard, the PTF is following reports from researches around the world regarding the state of psychiatric health of survivors and has intensified plans for in-country response under the treatment and post-treatment regimes,” Mustapha said.

Mustapha said monitoring the global situation would particularly help in the planning of trips.

He noted that the global cases crossed the 52 million mark with USA, India and Brazil accounting for 48 percent of all global cumulative burden.

“The USA has been recording over 100,000 cases daily in recent times and the rate of fatalities is increasing in the UK and other European countries.

“Five countries (USA, Brazil, India, Mexico and UK) account for 53 percent (685,176) of global deaths. On the African continent, Morocco, South Africa and Tunisia reported the highest cases in the last 24 hours.

“The number of cases has been fluctuating lately and that is an indication that we are not out of the woods yet.

“The cases in Lagos where multiple infections were recorded in two schools are typical examples of the danger of reopening institutions without the required measures.

“We must all rally round each other to stop this pandemic from destroying our lives and economy.

” The PTF believes strongly that now is the time to raise the tempo of not just our national response but also our preparedness for a new wave of the pandemic or any other epidemic for that matter.

” For example, it has been strongly observed that places of worship, gatherings and other events have dumped the use of face masks and adherence to other NPIs,” he said.

He urged all Nigerians to come out for regular testing.

“Mauritius has the highest tests per million (218,535) while Nigeria stands at 3,605 per million. This is grossly too low to be at a comfortable stage of defeating the pandemic considering the size of our population,” he said.

The SGF also commiserated with the president as well as the government and people of Ghana over the death of a former president of that country, Jerry Rawlings.

He further expressed condolences on the death of Saeb Erakat, the Palestine Liberation Organisation Chief Negotiator.

” We also commiserate with the Palestinian authority on this great loss.

” This will no doubt have a tremendous impact on the peace process in the Middle-East,” Mustapha said.

​FG worried over new cases of Lassa fever

The Federal Government has expressed concern over the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in some states.

The Minister of State for Health, Olorunnimbe Mamora, expressed the concern in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

He said that there had been reported cases of Lassa fever in some states, especially as the dry season is setting in.

The minister said that there were 180 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and two deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.

According to him, this brings to 64,516 the total number of confirmed cases so far recorded in Nigeria from the 697,544 persons tested for COVID-19.

“A total of 60,737 cases have been treated and discharged while there are currently 2617 active cases currently receiving care at home or in a facility.

” We have sadly recorded 1,162 deaths with a case fatality rate of 1.8 per cent.

“We are cautiously impressed that the number of active cases is reducing as more persons are being discharged and the recovery rate is increasing,” Mamora said.

Government, he said, remains committed to sustaining the gains by ensuring quality care for all those who test positive.

He said officers of the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and National Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with some partners were on supportive supervision visits to state treatment facilities.

Acccording to the minister, while government strives to contain the spread of the disease, it is monitoring other diseases threatening the health of Nigerians.

“One of such diseases is Lassa fever which is a viral haemorrhagic disease characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: malaise, fever, headache, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pain, chest pain and hearing loss.

“So far this year, we have recorded 1131 confirmed cases in 27 states. However, the number of new confirmed cases of Lassa has increased from three in the last weeks to 11 cases this week.

“Although nearly three-quarters of the confirmed cases are in Ondo state, Lassa fever can affect anyone anywhere.

“We therefore advise all to be vigilant especially as we approach the season when we usually record increased incidences,” he said.

The minister said that fatality is lower if patients report early for treatment.

The minister also said government is investigating the unexplained deaths in Delta and Enugu States.

According to him, experts have been dispatched to the states to support the investigation.

“In Delta State, 23 cases have been reported with 17 deaths while in Enugu State, 51 deaths have been reported. In both states, most of the affected cases are males, aged between one and 55 years.

“Most reported cases presented with fever, headache, fatigue and weakness, jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting (with or without blood), nose bleeding, blood in stools/urine, convulsions and unconsciousness.

“As at the 6th of November, three samples from Delta and one sample from Enugu have been confirmed positive for yellow fever.

” We shall provide further updates at subsequent briefing,” he said.