Humanitarian

By Ramatu Garba, Kano The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has donated a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, Kano to strengthen healthcare services in Northern Nigeria. The medical diagnosis equipment was inaugurated and handed over to the management of the hospital on Thursday in Kano. Speaking at the event, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo-Ojulari, said the intervention reflected the company’s commitment to improving lives through strategic investments in critical sectors including healthcare, education and energy. Bayo-Ojulari, represented by the Managing Director of NNPC Foundation, Mrs Emmanuella Arukwe, said the company remained committed to its corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians. Read Also: Quality is essential for national development, Ganduje declares at ARSO launch UNICEF expands digital learning programme to tackle school dropout, youth unemployment NEMA warns 178 Kano communities of flood risk, lists 28 vulnerable LGAs He said the foundation had embarked on a series of healthcare projects in line with the company’s goal of contributing to national development. “The National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, is a vital institution in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape with a long-standing reputation in trauma and orthopaedic care. “Strengthening its diagnostic capacity will significantly improve service delivery and reduce the burden of accessibility and affordability on patients,” he said. Bayo-Ojulari noted that Nigeria’s healthcare system continued to face challenges, including infrastructure deficits, equipment shortages and increasing demand for specialised services. He said the intervention would enhance diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care outcomes. The NNPC chief urged stakeholders to ensure proper utilisation, protection and maintenance of the equipment to guarantee its sustainability. The Executive Vice-President, Business Services, NNPC, Mrs Sophia Mbakwe, said the MRI machine would significantly enhance the hospital’s capacity to diagnose complex orthopaedic, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, leading to better treatment outcomes. Mbakwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Management, NNPC Foundation, Engr. Rose Okonkwo, said the intervention will ensure that advanced healthcare services are more accessible and affordable to residents of Kano and beyond. Also, the Managing Director NNPC Foundation Limited, Mrs Arukwe, represented by the Executive Director, Programme Development, NNPC Foundation, Dr Bala David, described the installation of the MRI machine as a major milestone in advancing healthcare delivery. Arukwe said inadequate medical equipment remained a challenge in many developing countries, often resulting in delayed diagnosis, long-distance referrals and additional financial burdens on patients. She said the MRI system would improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce treatment delays and support better clinical outcomes. Earlier, the Medical Director of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr Isa Nurudeen, described the donation as the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of the hospital. He said the absence of an MRI machine had compelled patients to travel long distances for advanced diagnostic services, leading to delays in treatment and increased costs. Nurudeen said the new MRI machine would significantly improve diagnosis and treatment planning for orthopaedic, neurological, surgical, paediatric and gynaecological conditions. “The MRI machine being commissioned today is the most modern in Northern Nigeria. It was manufactured in 2025 and will greatly enhance our capacity to deliver quality specialised healthcare services. “This intervention will save patients the stress and cost of seeking advanced imaging services outside Kano and will improve the quality and timeliness of care,” he said. The medical director commended the NNPC Foundation for the donation and pledged the hospital’s commitment to ensuring proper utilisation and maintenance of the facility. In his remarks, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf of Kano, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, described the donation as timely and impactful. Kabir-Yusuf lauded the NNPC Foundation for supporting healthcare delivery and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and services to improve the wellbeing of citizens. (NAN)

The Kano Community of Practice on Immunisation, Budget Tracking, Advocacy and Accountability (Kn-CoP), in collaboration with the BOOST Project (Better Opportunities for Optimal Services Targeted Immunisation) implemented by Save the Children International, has paid an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs to promote stronger gender inclusion in immunisation programmes. The delegation was received by the Commissioner, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, alongside some of the ministry’s management team. Leading the delegation, Chairman of Kn-CoP, Comrade Salisu Yusuf, commended the ministry for granting the team audience and acknowledged the existing collaboration between the organisation and key stakeholders in improving healthcare delivery and accountability in Kano State. He stressed the need for increased attention to gender-related barriers affecting immunisation, particularly the growing number of zero-dose children in the state. Read Also: Kano Anti-Graft Agency Launches Probe into Ex-Head of Service BOOST Project, CoP Seek Legislative Action on Zero-Dose Children in Kano Nigeria Records Over 2 Million Zero-Dose Children, Ranks Among Highest Globally — Save the Children During the engagement, the team presented advocacy briefs highlighting findings, gaps, and recommendations aimed at strengthening gender inclusion in immunisation programmes and improving access to vaccines for children across Kano communities. Comrade Yusuf noted that sustained collaboration among stakeholders had continued to yield positive results in strengthening routine immunisation services across local government areas in the state. Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Sani, appreciated Kn-CoP for the visit and commended the organisation’s commitment to policies and advocacy initiatives geared towards improving the wellbeing of women and children. She assured the delegation that the ministry would continue to support programmes and interventions aimed at addressing issues affecting women and children in line with the objectives of the BOOST Project and Save the Children International. The visit featured advocacy discussions on improving gender-responsive policies in the health sector and concluded with the presentation of a souvenir to the commissioner by the Kn-CoP team in appreciation of the ministry’s support and engagement. The BOOST Project, currently being implemented in Gezawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas, is designed to strengthen routine immunisation systems and ensure wider access to essential vaccines for children. The initiative, supported by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), focuses on reducing missed vaccinations and improving child health outcomes in Kano State.

The Kano Community of Practice on Immunisation, Budget Tracking, Advocacy and Accountability (Kn-CoP), in collaboration with the BOOST Project implemented by Save the Children International, on Thursday paid an advocacy visit to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The delegation, led by the Chairman of Kn-CoP, Comrade Salisu Yusuf, commended the ministry for granting them audience and acknowledged the existing partnership between the Community of Practice and relevant stakeholders in promoting accountability and improving service delivery within the health sector. Speaking during the visit, Yusuf said sustained collaboration among stakeholders has continued to produce positive outcomes, particularly in strengthening routine immunisation services across local government areas in Kano State. He, however, called for the recruitment of more permanent routine immunisation officers instead of relying on ad hoc personnel for immunisation exercises. Read Also: Rethinking Nigeria’s Agricultural Survival Strategy Kano Tricycle Unions Join Immunisation Drive as BOOST Mobilises 130 Leaders Photos: KASPA Leads Kano Delegation on Learning Visit to Jigawa Social Protection Programmes According to him, employing permanent staff would enhance commitment, continuity and efficiency in the delivery of immunisation services across communities. Yusuf noted that only properly engaged and retained personnel would be able to provide the level of consistency and results required in routine immunisation programmes. During the visit, the Kn-CoP delegation also presented an advocacy brief and a souvenir to the Permanent Secretary as part of its stakeholder engagement and advocacy efforts. Responding on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Fatima Adamu Barde, the Director of Salary and Wages, Abdullahi Muhammad Gwarzo, appreciated the commitment and advocacy efforts of the Community of Practice and assured the delegation of the ministry’s support. He urged the group to also engage local government authorities to ensure effective implementation of immunisation exercises at the grassroots level. Gwarzo further advised the delegation to strengthen collaboration with the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, describing it as the parent agency responsible for healthcare services within the local government system. He assured the delegation of the ministry’s commitment toward supporting initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and immunisation coverage across Kano State. The director also encouraged the Community of Practice to extend similar advocacy visits to the Primary Healthcare Management Board and other relevant agencies involved in healthcare administration at the local government level.

Officials of the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA) and other social protection MDAs have undertaken a learning visit to Jigawa State to understudy its social protection programmes and implementation framework. The visit, facilitated by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning Jigawa State, was held at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, as part of efforts to strengthen programme delivery and institutional capacity in Kano State. Speaking during the visit, the Director General of KASPA, Dr. Fatima Abubakar Abdullahi, said the agency, established in July 2025, remains committed to implementing comprehensive social protection initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of vulnerable groups across Kano. She commended the Jigawa State Government for the opportunity to share knowledge and best practices, while also appreciating the Kano State Government under the leadership of Abba Kabir Yusuf for establishing the agency and supporting interventions targeted at the poor and vulnerable. Read Also: UNICEF, KASPA Champion Capacity Training to Strengthen Social Protection, Improve Child Welfare Social Protection Training Highlights Need for Data, Policy Review in Kano UNICEF, KASPA Champion Capacity Training to Strengthen Social Protection, Improve Child Welfare “Immediately we return to Kano, we will make deliberate efforts to implement similar social protection components observed in Jigawa,” she said, noting that plans are underway to roll out humanitarian programmes to reduce hardship and improve living standards, particularly for youth, women, children, and the elderly. Also speaking, Social Protection Specialist with the UNICEF Kano Field Office, Fatimah Musa, commended participants for their active engagement during the recent capacity building workshop and expressed optimism that the knowledge gained would strengthen collaboration among MDAs in Kano. As part of the visit, the delegation toured Katanga in Kiyawa Local Government Area, where they observed firsthand the implementation of various social protection programmes in Jigawa State. Reacting, the Director of Sustainable Development Goals in the ministry, Basiru Nasoro, said the programmes are designed to reduce hardship and improve citizens’ welfare, noting that effective social protection also enhances trust and strengthens the relationship between government and the people. He highlighted key initiatives including old age cash transfer programmes, support for pregnant women and lactating mothers, and social security schemes for persons with special needs. According to him, beneficiaries are selected across 287 political wards, with each ward allocated specific numbers under different intervention categories. In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Babangida Ibrahim Ganda, represented by the Director of the State Bureau of Statistics, Jamilu Garba Yari, appreciated the Kano State Government for recognising Jigawa’s progress in social protection and initiating the learning exchange. The delegation also included the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi, alongside directors from various social protection MDAs. The tour followed a three-day capacity building training on child welfare data generation, policy design, and implementation held in Dutse, Jigawa State. The exercise was organised by the Kano State Social Protection Agency with support from the UNICEF Kano Field Office. The delegation also paid a visit to the Jigawa State Secretariat, a central complex that houses key government institutions, including ministries and MDAs, as well as the legislative and judicial arms of the state. As part of the engagement, souvenirs were presented to the Kano State delegation by the Jigawa State Government, in line with its tradition of appreciating participants during such occasions, further strengthening the spirit of collaboration between the two states. Photos:

A three day capacity building training on child poverty data generation, policy design, and implementation has been held in Dutse, Jigawa State, bringing together officials from social protection Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Kano State. Speaking at the session, the Officer in Charge of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Karanveer Singh, said the training aligns with UNICEF’s core mandate of improving the lives of children and eliminating child poverty. The training was organised by the Kano State Social Protection Agency (KASPA), with support from the UNICEF Kano Field Office as part of efforts to strengthen institutional capacity and improve child welfare outcomes. He emphasised that addressing child poverty requires a coordinated, multi sectoral approach, urging stakeholders to work together in changing the narrative. Read Also: Accurate Data, Accountability Key to Social Protection Success — UNICEF Social Protection Training Highlights Need for Data, Policy Review in Kano Kano, Katsina, Jigawa Record High Child Poverty Rates — UNICEF “There is need to stop depriving children of health, education, nutrition and housing. By doing so, we deprive the future and significantly affect the growth of the child. Every effort must be made to reach children who need support,” he said. Singh explained that bringing together different MDAs was aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring that children have access to essential services, including healthcare, education, nutrition, and safe housing. He called on participants to work collectively in delivering meaningful impact. In his presentation on the institutionalisation of social protection, retired Permanent Secretary from the Jigawa State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Adamu Ringim, described social protection as a critical economic development strategy for addressing societal challenges and safeguarding vulnerable populations. He stressed that a clear understanding of social protection concepts is essential for officials responsible for implementing policies and programmes, noting that such knowledge enhances effective service delivery and operational efficiency. Also speaking, a former Social Protection Coordinating Unit coordinator in Jigawa State urged participants to engage consistently with field implementers of social protection programmes to gain practical insights and address operational challenges. On financing, Director from the Kano State Ministry of Livestock, Dalhatu Danladi, highlighted the importance of sustainable funding for social protection programmes. He explained that social protection includes cash and in kind transfers, social insurance, and labour interventions targeted at vulnerable populations. Danladi noted that adequate financing ensures sustainability, expands coverage, strengthens resilience to economic, climate, and health shocks, and builds public trust in government systems. He called on government to increase budgetary allocations, while also encouraging private sector participation and support from development partners. The director further identified innovative financing options such as Zakat as a viable mechanism for domestic resource mobilisation, noting that it aligns with poverty reduction goals if supported by transparency and accountability frameworks. He, however, pointed out challenges including fragmented administration and weak data systems, urging stronger coordination and integration with social registries. Danladi also advocated for the adoption of budget tagging to track social protection expenditure, improve monitoring and evaluation, identify funding gaps, and strengthen policy alignment. He recommended partnerships between government and Zakat agencies, deployment of digital platforms for beneficiary payments, and real time monitoring systems to improve efficiency. The training is part of broader efforts to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools required to design and implement policies that will reduce child poverty and improve human development outcomes across Kano State and beyond.

Efforts to strengthen social protection systems in Kano State gained renewed emphasis as experts highlighted the central role of monitoring, evaluation, and accountability in ensuring effective programme delivery and measurable impact. The emphasis came during a three-day capacity-building training on child poverty data generation, policy design, and implementation held in Dutse, Jigawa State. The training was organised by the Kano State Social Protection Agency with support from the UNICEF Kano Field Office. Delivering a presentation on Monitoring and Evaluation in Social Protection, Ibrahim Ibrahim, a Monitoring and Evaluation specialist with UNICEF Kano Field Office, outlined core elements of effective M&E systems, including tracking results, measuring impact, and ensuring accountability. He explained that strong monitoring frameworks help implementers identify gaps, follow performance trends, and make evidence-based decisions. According to him, accountability remains central to addressing inefficiencies and leakages within implementation structures. Read Also: Social Protection Training Highlights Need for Data, Policy Review in Kano Kano, Katsina, Jigawa Record High Child Poverty Rates — UNICEF Kano Tricycle Unions Join Immunisation Drive as BOOST Mobilises 130 Leaders “If we are implementing effectively, we will know where the problems are coming from. It is accountability that will address those leakages,” he said. Ibrahim noted that the primary objective of monitoring systems is to track performance, strengthen accountability, identify bottlenecks, and guide programme and policy decisions. He stressed the importance of reliable and accurate data, warning against duplication and emphasising the need for proper justification of outcomes. “If a programme succeeds, we must understand why. If it fails, we must also explain why,” he added. The UNICEF expert further explained that data for monitoring and evaluation is drawn from Management Information Systems, spot checks, beneficiary surveys, and community-based monitoring processes. Participants were encouraged to strengthen data systems and adopt evidence-driven approaches to improve the delivery of social protection interventions across Kano State. The training forms part of broader efforts aimed at improving institutional performance and ensuring more effective implementation of policies designed to reduce poverty and enhance the welfare of vulnerable populations.

In a renewed effort to address the rising number of zero-dose and under-immunised children, tricycle union leaders in Kano State have pledged to support routine immunisation campaigns, following a sensitisation training organised under the BOOST Project. The engagement, which brought together over 130 leaders of the Kano State Tricycle Associations Forum, was held in Kano focused on mobilising transport operators as grassroots advocates for child immunisation. The training was implemented by Save the Children International with funding support from GlaxoSmithKline, in collaboration with the Kano State Community of Practice on Immunisation, Budget Tracking, Advocacy, and Accountability. The forum represents one of the largest male-dominated associations in the state, with an estimated membership of about 200,000 operators. Speaking at the session, the BOOST Project Advocacy Officer, Umar Ibrahim, said the initiative was designed to leverage trusted community platforms to improve access to life-saving vaccines. He noted that tricycle operators interact daily with passengers and families, placing them in a strategic position to influence attitudes and promote vaccine acceptance, particularly in underserved communities. Read Also: Nigeria Records Over 2 Million Zero-Dose Children, Ranks Among Highest Globally — Save the Children BOOST Project Strengthens Community Mobilisation Through Kano Tricycle Associations Forum Kano, Katsina, Jigawa Record High Child Poverty Rates — UNICEF Participants were taken through key aspects of routine immunisation, including schedules, benefits, and the urgent need to address barriers such as resistance from male household heads, which continues to affect uptake across parts of the state. In his remarks, the State Chairman of the Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORON), Abdulkarim Yusuf, assured that members of the union would support the campaign by promoting immunisation awareness among passengers and within their communities. Also speaking, the Chairman of the Kano State Community of Practice on Accountability, Salisu Yusuf, emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders to improve health outcomes. At the end of the engagement, the union leaders signed a commitment statement, affirming their resolve to champion routine immunisation within their networks. The commitments include promoting awareness, identifying and referring zero-dose children, encouraging male participation in immunisation efforts, and supporting the development of a Kano State-specific immunisation policy. They also pledged to integrate immunisation advocacy into their routine activities and meetings, while working closely with implementing partners to track progress and ensure accountability. The initiative forms part of broader interventions under the BOOST Project, Better Opportunities for Optimal Services and Targeted Immunisation for Zero-Dose and Under-Immunised Children, which aims to strengthen routine immunisation coverage, improve accountability systems, and expand access to essential vaccines across Nigeria.