Katsina

By Abbas Bamalli Mercy Corps, a Non – Government Organisation (NGO) , on Wednesday, handed over a newly constructed Veterinary Clinic and a rehabilitated structure in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA), to the Katsina State Government. The project, which included a 20,000-litre capacity upgraded solar-powered borehole, was executed under the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). Speaking during the event, the Commissioner for Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Kastina State,Prof Ahmed Bakori, commended Mercy Corps and its partners on such commitment to support peace and development in the state. Read Also: NAOWA takes cancer prevention awareness to members in Katsina While praising the state government for restoring peace and stability, the said the project would improve livestock services and the welfare of farmers who depend on animal health services for livelihood. Bakori buttressed that improved security in the state had enabled development partners to implement meaningful interventions in communities affected earlier. He said,” Recently, Gov. Dikko Radda was in South Africa to explore strategies for boosting livestock production and strengthening the livestock value chain in line with the government’s economic development agenda.” In his remarks, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita, expressed satisfaction on the timely and successful implementation of the project in Danmusa. He stated that although Mercy Corps began its operations in the state in 2023, security challenges, initially, had prevented the organisation from accessing some areas, including Danmusa. Ikita said that the project would improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to sustaining peace in the community. “The project involves the upgrade of a veterinary clinic from a two room structure into a fully functional six office facility, “The was embarked on to strengthen livestock healthcare services in the area, “The programme builds on the success of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to promote long-term peace and stability in Northwest Nigeria. “It works across 48 communities in Zamfara and Katsina States, addressing the root causes of conflict, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening socio-economic recovery,” he said. Also, the District Head of Danmusa, Ahmadu Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mercy Corps and its partners for the intervention, describing the projects as timely and beneficial. Earlier, the Chairman of Danmusa LGA, Ibrahim Na-Mama, represented by his Deputy, Musa Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the projects, assuring that the council would support efforts to safeguard them. (NAN)

By Abbas Bamalli The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 17-Brigade chapter, Katsina, has organised a cancer awareness campaign and lectures for members in the state to commemorate the 2026 World Cancer Day. Speaking during the event in Katsina on Wednesday, the Commander, 17-Brigade Nigeria Army, Brig.-Gen. Maikarfi Ibrahim, noted that cancer remained a major public health challenge globally. Ibrahim, represented by his Chief of Staff, Col. NA Yakubu said that its impact cuts across age, gender, and profession. He said that however, through awareness, early detection, and collective support, the burden of cancer within communities, could significantly be reduced. He commended the choice of the theme, and the commitment shown by NAOWA in drawing attention to cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection issues that affected not only their families but the wider society. Read Also: UNDP empowers 200 Katsina youths with solar installation skills ”Within the military community, where discipline, readiness, and family stability are critical to operational effectiveness, the health and well-being of our spouses and families cannot be overemphasised. ”Activities such as this lecture series therefore play a vital role in educating, sensitising, and empowering our women with the knowledge required to take proactive steps towards safeguarding their health. ”I commend the NAOWA leadership at all levels, particularly the 17-Brigade chapter, for sustaining this noble initiative,” he said. Ibrahim added that the association’s dedication to advocacy, education and support for cancer prevention aligned perfectly with the Nigerian Army’s broader welfare objectives and collective commitment to a healthy and resilient military family. He encouraged all participants to actively engage with the resource persons, ask questions, and apply the knowledge gained beyond the forum. In her opening remarks, the NAOWA Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Jamimah Ibrahim, said the event aimed to encourage prevention, promote early detection, and support those affected by cancer. ”World Cancer Day reminds us that cancer is not just a medical condition, but a human challenge that touches families, communities, and nations. ”Every year, millions of lives are affected by cancer, and many of these cases can be prevented or successfully treated if detected early and properly managed. ”Today, we gather not only to reflect on the burden of cancer but also to renew our collective commitment to fight against it,” she said. She added that cancer does not discriminate, as it affects the young/old, rich/poor, and through education, awareness, and access to quality healthcare, its impact can be reduced. ”As a zone, we must take proactive steps in supporting cancer prevention strategies such as regular health screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption. ”Eating balanced diets and engaging in physical activity, supporting vaccination programmes. Therefore we must also break the stigma surrounding cancer,” she further said. (NAN)

By Abbas Bamalli The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa has empowered 40 journalists in Katsina as part of efforts to strengthen media professionalism and promote ethical reporting. The effort was realised through a two-day capacity-building workshop held in Katsina, designed to strengthen their roles in preventing information manipulation and promoting accurate, responsible public communication. The CDD Training Coordinator, Mrs Chioma Valerie, explained that the programme was designed to equip journalists with the skills needed to counter misinformation and manage information responsibly. She noted that a key outcome of the workshop was the development of a corps of journalists capable of contributing to a stable and peaceful society through ethical and accurate reporting. Read Also: Lere: A Historic Fulani Settlement and Cultural Crossroads in Southern Kaduna Kano State Polytechnic Takes Step Toward University-Affiliated PGD Programmes Why Science College Dawakin Kudu Remains a Pride of Kano’s Educational Heritage Participants engaged in interactive discussions on strategies for promoting ethical journalism and strengthening public trust in media content. The sessions explored the concept, purpose and importance of fact-checking, clearly distinguishing it from verification and highlighting how both processes support credible reporting. The training also addressed the dangers of publishing unverified information, exposing journalists to the potential consequences of misinformation. Participants were introduced to reputable fact-checking organisations and initiatives, as well as practical methods for assessing source credibility and cross-checking information. Further sessions focused on verifying images, videos and documents using digital tools and open-source intelligence (OSINT). Journalists were trained to identify common red flags in misinformation, such as emotional language, false urgency and the absence of clear attribution. A key trainer at the workshop emphasised the responsibility of media practitioners to actively combat information manipulation. Participants were encouraged to verify information before publication, promote media literacy among audiences, use accurate and factual headlines, provide context for complex issues and collaborate with credible institutions. The workshop concluded with discussions on best practices in responsible journalism, equipping participants with practical tools to enhance the quality, accuracy and credibility of media reporting in Nigeria.