Humanitarian

By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has commended Dr. Aminu Mukhtar Dan’amu for his humanitarian gesture in supporting 501 orphaned families ahead of the 2027 Ramadan period in Kano Municipal. Speaking at the empowerment programme organised under the Dr. Aminu Mukhtar Dan’amu Youth Coalition for Tinubu 2027, Ganduje described Dan’amu as a “good Samaritan” who demonstrated competence and dedication during his tenure as Commissioner for Finance in Kano State. He noted that the initiative was timely, particularly as Muslims prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, urging beneficiaries to offer prayers for the sponsor in appreciation of the gesture. Furthermore, Ganduje called on Kano residents to continue supporting the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, while also reaffirming the need for sustained backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections. He expressed satisfaction with ongoing developments in Kano, citing improvements in security and governance, and welcomed the political realignment in the state. Ganduje also recalled previous engagements with the sponsor, noting that Dan’amu had earlier demonstrated political commitment through initiatives such as hosting a colloquium in Kano prior to the 2023 elections. Read Also: Ganduje Commissions Mosque, Islamiyya School in Kano Dadiyata: Sani Dismisses El-Rufai’s Claim Against Ganduje Dadiyata: Ganduje Dismisses El-Rufai’s Claim as Baseless, Politically Motivated According to him, the empowerment programme reflects the ripple effect of federal appointments and interventions under the Tinubu administration, which he said continue to impact lives across Kano State. In a related development, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, stated that the initiative aligns with the state government’s efforts to support vulnerable groups. He recalled that the state government had previously earmarked significant resources for similar interventions, stressing the need for more individuals to emulate such humanitarian efforts. Waiya further expressed optimism that the state’s political realignment would yield positive outcomes for Kano and its people. Also speaking, the Director General of the National Productivity Centre and Chairman of the Northwest Tinubu Support Groups, Baffa Babba Dan Agundi, commended the sponsor for his commitment to grassroots development, reiterating his support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the people. Earlier, the sponsor of the programme, Dr. Aminu Mukhtar Dan’amu, explained that the initiative was part of his continuous efforts to support vulnerable communities, particularly during Ramadan. He disclosed that beneficiaries were carefully selected across 13 wards in Kano Municipal and other local government areas, in collaboration with ward heads and community leaders to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals were reached. Dan’amu revealed that the intervention included the distribution of food items such as rice, spaghetti, and cooking oil to ease the burden on beneficiaries during the fasting period. He added that additional allocations were made to APC structures, including party leaders and women groups, to further extend support to grassroots communities. According to him, the initiative is rooted in Islamic teachings, which emphasise care for orphans and the less privileged, as enshrined in the Qur’an and Hadith. He further disclosed that the programme would also serve as a platform to sensitise residents ahead of upcoming political engagements, while highlighting ongoing federal projects in Kano as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to the state. Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, commended the sponsor for his foresight and generosity, urging political office holders and appointees to emulate such people-oriented initiatives. He emphasised that the party would continue to recognise individuals who contribute meaningfully to community development, noting that such efforts would be considered in future political opportunities. The empowerment programme was attended by several dignitaries, including the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Engr. Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi; former Secretary to the Kano State Government, Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi; party leaders from Kano Municipal, and other stakeholders. In the end, stakeholders reiterated the importance of sustained humanitarian efforts and political collaboration in improving the welfare of citizens, particularly at the grassroots level. Photo News:

Journalists in Kano State, under the aegis of the Kano Concerned Journalists Forum, have organized a public sensitization walk to raise awareness on menstrual health and hygiene, while advocating improved access to sanitary pads for women and girls. The awareness walk, which took place on Saturday morning, saw participants trek from the Kano State Government House to Premier Radio, Kano. The exercise was organized in partnership with the Rigar Kariya Foundation and attracted media professionals, health advocates, and experts from various fields, all united in promoting menstrual hygiene management and the dignity of women and girls. Speaking during the exercise, the Chairperson of the Kano Concerned Journalists Forum, Hajiya Aisha Ahmad Ahmad Ismail, emphasized the need to break the silence surrounding menstruation and ensure adequate support for women and girls. “Menstrual health is not a luxury; it is a basic human right,” she said. “Many girls miss school, and many women suffer in silence simply because they cannot access sanitary pads or proper information on menstrual hygiene.” Read Also: 300-Year-Old Kano Farming Settlement Faces Extinction Over Sand Mining The fight against drug abuse, a failed strategies or a war we cannot win CITAD Launches Grassroots Menstrual Hygiene Intervention in Kano According to her, the awareness walk was aimed at educating the public and encouraging collective responsibility in supporting women and girls. She called on government agencies, private organizations, and well-meaning individuals to support initiatives that provide sanitary pads and promote menstrual health awareness. “When families, communities, and institutions support menstrual health, they promote education, good health, and social inclusion,” she added. Participants carried placards bearing messages advocating menstrual hygiene, girl-child support, and the elimination of stigma associated with menstruation. The organizers described the walk as part of ongoing efforts to leverage media advocacy and community engagement to address public health and social issues affecting women and girls in Kano State.

Kano State Government has expanded its social protection interventions with the approval of a free healthcare programme targeting 20,000 orphans and senior citizens across the state. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), Rabiu Khalil Kura. The initiative is being implemented by KASPA as part of its mandate to provide social care and protection services to the poor and most vulnerable members of society. Speaking during a roundtable discussion with agency directors at its Kano headquarters, the Director General, Dr. Fateema Abubakar Abdullahi (Amneef), said the programme aligns with the social protection agenda of the Kano State Government under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. It is aimed at easing hardship and improving access to essential services for vulnerable populations. Read Also: UNICEF, KASPA Forge Stronger Ties to Improve Social Protection Outcomes in Kano Dr. Abdullahi explained that the free healthcare intervention will focus on orphans and senior citizens, ensuring they receive timely medical attention without financial barriers. She added that eligible beneficiaries will soon be able to access application forms, with possession of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) as a key requirement for enrolment. The Director General also noted that, with continued support from Governor Yusuf, KASPA will soon roll out additional programmes aimed at reducing poverty, enhancing livelihoods, and improving the economic wellbeing of poor and vulnerable households across Kano State. She urged non-governmental organisations, development partners, and well-meaning individuals to collaborate with the agency in supporting vulnerable groups, especially as the Ramadan period approaches.

The Save Yateem Orphans Foundation has expressed its willingness to partner with the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ahead of the forthcoming Ramadan feeding programme. This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the ministry, Ibrahim Abdullahi, following a meeting between the Executive Director of the foundation, Hauwau Muhammad Hadi, and the Commissioner of the ministry, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, in his office. Hadi said the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration between the foundation and the state government through the ministry, particularly in preparation for the Ramadan feeding programme targeted at orphans, widows, almajirai, persons with special needs and other vulnerable households across the state. She explained that Save Yateem Orphans Foundation is a humanitarian, non-profit organisation established to promote the welfare, dignity and sustainable development of orphans, adding that the foundation has remained consistent over the years in delivering community-centred interventions designed to alleviate hardship and restore hope among vulnerable groups. Read Also: Muslim Charity Organisation Partners Kano Government to Support the Needy Why Gobirawa’s Centuries-Old Agrarian Life is at Risk in Kano Governor Yusuf Leaves NNPP, Says Decision Guided by Kano’s Interest As preparations for the 2026 Ramadan feeding programme intensify, Hadi said the foundation plans to expand coverage, ensure proper coordination, uphold dignity in service delivery and strengthen accountability mechanisms. She, however, expressed concern that some independent organisations funded by external donors often carry out feeding programmes without adequate coordination and supervision, stressing the need for government oversight. Hadi suggested that the ministry should strengthen coordination of all Ramadan feeding initiatives to ensure that donor organisations adhere to humanitarian best practices and that the safety and dignity of beneficiaries are protected. Responding, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Adamu Aliyu Kibiya, thanked the foundation for the visit and its commitment to supporting the welfare of vulnerable persons in the state. He reaffirmed that the ministry remains open to partnerships with donor organisations willing to complement government efforts at alleviating hardship, especially among the less privileged. Kibiya further disclosed that since assuming office, the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has consistently allocated substantial funds annually for the Ramadan feeding programme to cushion economic hardship and support thousands of residents across the state. He assured the foundation of the ministry’s readiness to partner with it and other humanitarian organisations to ensure the successful delivery of the feeding programme and similar interventions. The foundation later presented an award of excellence to the commissioner in recognition of his selfless service to humanity.

The Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to sustain partnerships with donor agencies to improve the lives of the less privileged across the state. This was conveyed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Enlightenment of the ministry, Ibrahim Abdullahi, following a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Muslim Charity Organisation to the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Aliyu Adamu Kibiya, in his office. Kibiya said the ministry remains committed to providing humanitarian services to vulnerable groups in the state, noting that collaboration with donor organisations was critical to achieving meaningful impact. He recalled that the England-based Muslim Charity Organisation recently donated a 32-seater coaster bus to the ministry to enhance the smooth execution of humanitarian activities, an intervention received on behalf of the ministry by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. According to the commissioner, the ministry is charged with the responsibility of supporting the less privileged through various humanitarian programmes aimed at improving their welfare and livelihoods. Read Also: Why Gobirawa’s Centuries-Old Agrarian Life is at Risk in Kano He added that the ministry welcomes partnerships with donor organisations willing to complement government efforts in areas such as skills acquisition, empowerment, and other social interventions, while commending the organisation for the donation of the vehicle, which he said would significantly boost humanitarian outreach across the state. Kibiya further solicited the organisation’s support in areas including empowerment programmes, data digitalisation, Almajiri support, as well as the provision of school uniforms and bags for schoolchildren, stressing that the initiatives were targeted at improving the wellbeing of the needy. Earlier, the Programme Director of the organisation, Irfan Rajput, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and the state government, as well as exploring mechanisms for sustained collaboration. Rajput assured the commissioner that the organisation would study the ministry’s requests with a view to supporting them and possibly introducing additional interventions in the state. He reiterated the organisation’s commitment to continuing its partnership with the Kano State Government through the ministry to improve the lives of the less privileged.

The Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA) has donated drugs valued at ₦1.6 million to the Kano Science Schools Students Association (KASSOSA) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in commemoration of the 63rd birthday of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The drugs were presented by the Director General of the Agency, Pharm. Gali Sule, on behalf of DMCSA, as part of activities marking the Governor’s birthday celebration. Pharm. Sule said the donation reflects the agency’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery while supporting educational institutions across the state. He noted that the initiative aligns with the Governor’s vision of accessible and affordable healthcare for all residents of Kano State. Read Also: Tinubu Praises Yusuf’s Leadership, Development Strides in Kano at 63 DMCSA Reforms Deliver Strong Results as Agency Clears Debts, Boosts Operations Beyond Betrayal: The Real Politics Behind Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Calculated Move According to him, the gesture was conceived as a way of giving back to institutions that play critical roles in safeguarding the health of students and supporting primary healthcare services within schools. “This is our modest contribution to celebrating His Excellency by supporting institutions that are central to the wellbeing of schoolchildren and the training of future professionals,” Pharm. Sule said. Representatives of KASSOSA and SUBEB, who received the items, expressed appreciation to the agency for the timely intervention, describing it as a boost to ongoing efforts aimed at promoting student health and improving basic healthcare services in schools. They also commended the state government and DMCSA for sustaining public health initiatives that directly impact learners and communities. The donated items comprise essential medications intended to address common health conditions and support routine healthcare needs within educational environments. DMCSA reaffirmed its commitment to efficient drug supply, quality assurance, and partnerships that enhance healthcare delivery across Kano State.