Eid-el-Kabir: Jaba LG Chair calls for Collective Support for Uba Sani’s SUSTAIN Agenda

As Muslim Ummah and other Nigerians resumed work today after this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Administrator of Jaba Local Government area of Kaduna State, Hon. Mrs. Nita Byack George, has canvas renewed strength towards the realisation of Governor Uba Sani’s SUSTAIN Agenda.

Nita who is the only female local council boss in the state and second in the whole of the Northwest while pledging Jaba LG’s continuous support and solidarity to the success of both the state and federal government APC-led administrations, rallied collective support for the actualisation of the current administration lofty objectives.

To her, this year’s Eid-el-Kabir which coincidentally fell on Sunday when Christians are observing their faith rites was an indication that God’s love abounds for all, urging everyone to use the occasion to promote peaceful coexistence and religious understanding.

She urged Muslim Ummah and Nigerians in general, to use the period to reflect and promote the values of peace, security, and compassion to move Kaduna State and the country forward.

According to her, “The time and season in Nigeria’s democratic process call for genuine patriotism, commitment, and team spirit to overcome our collective socioeconomic challenges.

“As Muslim Ummah and Nigerian citizens, we must not allow this festivities to overshadow its significance and lessons for us as individuals and as a country.

“It is another opportunity for us to support our leaders especially, our Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who has been working round the clock to ensure we have a peaceful and progressive Kaduna State.

“As we all know, Kaduna State has been experiencing a peaceful political atmosphere in which even the members of the opposition parties have no option but to quietly join the fast-moving train so they are not left behind.

“It is but too true that in the past one year of this administration, Mr. Governor has touched every group in Kaduna Kaduna positively – the children, the youth, the aged, persons with disability, the pensioners, the farmers, and the list goes on”.

Buttressing her point on the capacity and capability of Governor Uba Sani, she said, “Just recently, with strict directives of His Excellency, we distributed maize, millet, and sorghum received from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) State Distribution Committee to various groups.

“Orphanage homes, boarding school houses, Persons With Disability, Internally Displaced Persons, widows, pensioners, the elderly, CAN, and JNI among others in Jaba LG benefited from the distribution carried out by a 15-man Local government Committee made up of critical community stakeholders and opinion leaders.

“With the guidance of the Almighty God and your support, Governor Uba Sani’s administration will continue to make decisions that will give us more dividends of democracy in the weeks, months, and years to come”, she added.

UNICEF Orientates Staff, Partners on Social and Behavior Change

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has trained her Kaduna Field Office staff and government partners, CSOs, media focal points, Academia, others on Social and Behavior Change (SBC) in line with global shift or expansion.

The training according to the Chief of SBC, UNICEF Nigeria Country Office, Kshitij Joshi, has become imperative following the transition in programming.

He emphasized the need for every sector to be innovative and look beyond awareness creation by focusing on integration and how programs will be scaled up for sustainability purposes.

Kshitij, who said this at a separate SBC Shift Orientation Workshop in Kaduna, explained that SBC is a process to achieve results.

“SBC has shifted from just talking about behavior change but now lays more emphasis on social change.

“Societies don’t change overnight, there has to be an adaptation. Change happens in a gradual process, just raising awareness doesn’t change behavior.” The Chief said.

He urged them to always try as much as possible to bring the UNICEF SBC Specialist to the table as a “third eye” whenever they are planning their programs.

“The messages you designed may not change people immediately, but it should be able to impact them, so you need to try and address issues around why services are not available before mobilizing them to access them.

“Always work to build on all the existing knowledge and structures to ensure there’s sustainability

“To move beyond SBC, there should be a shift in programming that reflects transformative changes and ownership”. Kshitij, added.

Flagging off the workshop, Representative of the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Primary Health Care Board, Alh Hamza Ibrahim Ikara, Director, Disease Control and Immunization, of the board, urged the participants to pay attention and understand the new methods of communicating their programs to achieve social change.

According to him, it important that the knowledge they will acquire from the training is impacted to citizens to help them change their health seeking behavior.

He therefore thanked UNICEF for the collaborating with the State in organizing the training for participants in SBC space from Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states.

Participants at the workshop who expressed readiness to push for the required change to help the society, noted that it will be important to know what have been done rightly and what needed to be done going forward.

They noted that what has happened in the past was compliance to campaigns and not change of behavior.

They observed that neglect of what they described as native intelligence has greatly impacted why people don’t adapt to changes despite the campaigns.

They also noted that the language of engagement must change in discussing SBC if anything meaningful will be achieved.

They suggested that a tool be developed to measure the behavior of people towards certain programs.

The training which started at UNICEF’s office for her staff, continued for another two days for partners that includes: government partners, CSOs, academia and the media.

Menstrual Hygiene Day: DCDF Emphasises Importance of Maintenance…..Sensitises Adolescent School Girls in Kaduna

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

As part of activities to mark the International Day for Menstrual Hygiene 2024, an NGO, Dogara Community Development Foundation Kaduna (DCDF) at the weekend organised a sensitization meeting for adolescent school girls of Ecwa GoodNews School at High Cost in Narayi with the theme: Period Friendly World.

Addressing the girls, Mrs Rahila Ishaku Baita, Executive Director of DCDF, emphasised the importance of proper health maintenance during their menstrual cycle.

She explained the difference between menstruation and ovulation and the myths surrounding menstrual cycle, health seeking behaviors for menses and the linkages between menstrual health and sexual violence and also prevention tips for sexual violence.

“I believe in sensitizing adolescent girls in our schools on management of hygiene during menstrual cycle because it’s very important.

“This will help improve your health and and also break barriers surrounding Menstrual cycles in our community”. Rahila added.

Some of the students who were anxious asked questions like:  why they usually have stomach pains and fever during their monthly periods?

If it is ok to discuss their monthly period with their brothers or fathers whenever they are having pains, because of the enormous responsibilities expected of her?

And why some girls don’t have pains like stomach cramps, etc during menses?

Responding to the girls’ concerns, the ED, noted that there’s nothing wrong if they discuss with their  brothers, especially when they are feeling sick, saying they could get assistance in their house chores.

She said because there are no taboos surrounding menstrual pains, it will be better they discuss with their fathers, perhaps, he could make provision for sanitary pads for them.

She also advised them to see health worker if the pains persist for too long, adding that menstrual pain is normal and that it is a pride for girls and women to see it monthly.

Mrs. Rahila, however called on government, philanthropists and development partners to support the production of reusable pads and make them available in schools to help reduce absenteeism by the girls.

Stakeholders raise concern as Kaduna set to Launch Contracting, Procurement Disclosure Portal

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Stakeholders in Kaduna State has expressed concerns over government response to citizens feedbacks concerning data shared on its previous portals just as the state is set to launch a procurement information disclosure portal.

The concerns were raised on Thursday, at a one day “User-Centered Co-creation Workshop with stakeholders on Open Contracting for Infrastructure Data Standards (OC4IDS) disclosure portal”.

The workshop was organised by the Construction Sector (CoST) Infrastructure Transparency Initiative International Secretariat in collaboration with Planning and Budget Commission (PBC) and Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA).

The stakeholders which compromises the Civil Societies, Government, Private sector and the Media expressed displeasure over how the state government handled the previous portals they had launched.

They also raised issues over the sustainability of the proposed portal and called on government to harmonise her point of information disclosure to enable citizens have a one stop point to access information about the state.

Responding to the concerns, Engr. Sanusi Yaro, the Director General (DG) of Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA), said the previous portal became empty because the system was going through a transition.

“Unfortunately, there was problem with the payment and the portal was off. All our data has been on that portal. But we developed another one which is called the normal solution portal in 2023 which is full of information,”. He stated.

The DG, noted that one of the major challenges facing procurement data collection in the state was the fact that most of the MDAs have challenges of working enablers for information storage, which sometimes delay or thwart information from being accessed by those who needed them.

He therefore said that his agency has all it takes and that it’s putting all the necessary infrastructure in place to ensure that the new portal is regularly populated with data and well maintained.

“This is why i created the e-procurement unit at KADPPA which allows procurement officers in MDAs to come to us and upload their information for us to see.

“We will identify one procurement officer in each of the MDAs, so we can buy desktop for them for the particular purpose of offloading information from their own end,” Sanusi, said.

On his part, the CoST Manager of Kaduna State, Tara Jeremiah, disclosed that CoST international Secretariat is supporting the state as a member to build a platform that would be disclosing information about projects.

According to him, the idea is to continue fighting corruption, promote transparency and accountability.

He stressed that it was very important for the citizens of Kaduna because people who were elected into public offices should be accountable to them, which underscored the need for the citizens to be informed on what the Government is doing.

“A lot of money goes into infrastructure across the budget cycle yearly. It is important that we improve transparency in that area.

“What the portal will help do when we design it is that it will disclose information about 40-data points which included impact assessment, disclose how much Government is spending on project.

“It will also disclose the status of projects. If it is abandoned, the people will be able to see and raise questions and ask Government to act on it so as contractors can go back to site,” He added.

Jeremiah noted that the portal is the first of its kind in Kaduna and Nigeria entirely, noting that they already have the mandate of the governor to strengthen it, and that a formal disclosure mandate in form of an executive order is also expected from the governor.

Earlier in his presentation, Cengkuru Michael, Open Data Specialist at the CoST IT, Secretariat, who facilitated the workshop virtually, noted that OC4IDS is designed to increase efficiency and reduced corruption.

He added that it also engenders transparency which will discourage wasteful practices and fosters more efficient use of resources, improved project management and facilitates better organization and oversight of infrastructure projects.

One Year Achievements: Jaba LG Chair Congratulates Gov Uba Sani

The Administrator in charge of Jaba Local Government area of the State, Hon. Mrs. Nita Byack George, has congratulated Governor Uba Sani for successfully piloting the affairs of the state in the past one year.

According to her, Uba Sani’s “Governance of Benevolence” is a true testament to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

Addressing newsmen in Kaduna, the sole administrator said, Mr. Governor has been up and doing since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, to ensure everyone in the state irrespective of status or location feels the dividends of democracy.

“On behalf of the good people of Jaba Local Government area of Kaduna State, I congratulate our talk-and-do Governor, Senator Uba Sani, his Deputy Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council and Leadership Team.

“We also congratulate the State APC leadership led by Air Comd. Jakada, Local Government Chairmen, Honourable Members of Kaduna State House of Assembly, well-wishers, and the entire good people of Kaduna State on the 25 years of uninterrupted democracy and one year of good governance in Kaduna State.

“For us in Kaduna State, the past one year of democracy under the able leadership of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, has been a blessing in the open as all groups in the state have been captured in his SUSTAIN Agenda which he has been implementing seamlessly.

“The SUSTAIN Agenda includes Safety and security, Upgrade of infrastructure, Strengthening institutions, Trade and Investment, Agriculture, Investment in human capital, and Nurturing citizen engagement; all of which Governor Uba Sani has already left landmarks of great achievements around.

“The first is Safety and Security. In addition to collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders in the security sector, Mr. Governor, on Tuesday, May 28, flagged of distribution of 150 vehicles, 500 motorcycles, and other security gadgets to ensure a safe and peaceful Kaduna State.

“This came after he worked tirelessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, our brother the Chief of Defence Staff, and other Security Agencies, to ensure the safe return of our kidnapped school children months ago. This is very commendable in the face of diverse security threats in the country.

“The second point is the upgrade of infrastructure. This is evident in the opening of rural roads to link urban areas as a build-up to the urban renewal of the immediate past administration. This means access to the market by our farmers at the local level and a boost in other economic activities in the several communities these roads will pass through.

“The third point is Strengthening institutions. This administration has been working its talk in institution strengthening as seen in the signing of the Kaduna State Mutual Accountability Framework (KMAF) and strategic plan, the improved relationship between the Government, and the NLC, NUT, and other trade unions, resulting from the improved welfare packages of Governor Uba Sani as a way of ensuring inclusiveness and co-ownership of Government, not forgetting collaborations with private sector and development partners.

“In the area of trade and investment, the administration of Governor Uba Sani has made business easy with relevant policies on the ease of doing business in Kaduna state with the sole intention of increasing the progressive business environment and scaling up the internally generated revenue drive and incentives for taxpayers.

“Agriculture as the second contributor of Kaduna State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with over 70 percent of Kaduna people involved, has gotten unprecedented attention, this time around with all the local governments keyed in and offering unwavering support.

“Both the crop growers and animal rearers are feeling the action of Governor Uba Sani in terms of the agricultural value chain. Communities that lost hugely in the ginger blight disease are being supported at different levels to cushion the effect of these losses, among others.

“Investment in human capital is agenda number six and it is key. This is because other interventions are to be driven by humans, hence the determination of His Excellency to give everyone a sense of belonging.

“For example, one of the first decisions His Excellency made upon assumption to office was to slash the State higher institutions fees by 50 percent. Recently, he directed the state-owned higher institutions to allow all their students to sit for examinations whether they had paid their school fees or not.

“Governor Uba Sani has just paid gratuities and pensions of deserving residents to the tune of N3 billion. That will also improve the beneficiaries’ economy and reduce poverty and vulnerability.

“The last but not the least is nurturing citizens engagement. Governor Uba Sani, apart from his understanding of the importance of “feedback” in governance, and his efforts to ensure that Local Government Leadership improves community engagements as a way of keeping the citizens aware of the highs and lows of government, he is also well abreast of the global accountability platform called Open Government Partnership which the state is a subscriber.

“What I have seen in Sen. Uba Sani so far is a passionate leader, hungry to deliver good governance to the Kaduna people. I think I am able to see this passion because it is something we have in common”, she said.