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FEMA reviews preparedness of its divers, vanguards and rescue team ahead of heavy rainfall

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Muhammad Musa Bello, FCT Minister

 

From Alhasan Abdullahi Abuja.

 

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has held its second review and preparedness meeting with Divers, Vanguards and Rescue team in Abuja recently to review their level of preparedness for flood disasters and other emergencies in the FCT.

 

Declaring the 2-day meeting open,  the Director, Alh. Abbas Idriss said FEMA will continue to strategize in its bid to prevent the reoccurrence of disasters of any kind in the FCT.

 

The FEMA Boss who was represented at the meeting by Mrs. Florence Wenegiemie, Deputy Director, Forecasting, Response, and mitigation (FRM) gave this assurance while tasking the Divers, Vanguards and Response team to be more proactive in this raining season. This follows NIMET’S 2020 prediction of torrential rainfall and floodings in parts of the country including the FCT which has already claimed many lives and properties including Giri and Gwagwalada in the FCT.

NIHSA warns on impending flood in some states

The FEMA boss said that the meeting was imperative at this time to alert the Volunteers on the dangers of the season and to sensitize them on prevention, response, and mitigation measures. He also advised them to be adequately prepared Ed and be charged them with the responsibility of sensitizing their people especially as we approach the peak of this rainy season. She also reminded them of the need to remind their people that COVID 19 is real and still with us, hence, the need to maintain personal hygiene and take voluntary responsibility of their lives by adhering to COVID 19 instructions.

 

He alerted them of a possible flash flood in their communities if necessary preventive measures are not put in place to avert it, she urged all hands to be on deck to avert any more loss of lives to flooding in the FCT.

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The Director-General commended them for promptly swinging into action whenever there is an emergency in their localities before the arrival of FEMA response team, he then charged them as FEMA trained ambassadors to take the alert message home using their village town criers, Youths, and women groups as means of communication, noting that in previous years, FEMA embarked on annual community-to-community flood sensitization campaign in different Area Councils.

He said FEMA is now challenged with COVID 19 protocols that don’t allow large gatherings, but that FEMA has embarked on a wide media sensitization in different indigenous languages in different media channels.

 

He appealed to residents most especially those in the rural areas to always adhere to Government instructions so as not to fall victims of disasters and also to desist from unwholesome activities that could lead to disasters in the FCT. He advised residents to stop dumping refuse in waterways, do not build along flood plains, do not farm around river banks, do not drive or walk on flooded water and those that have houses around the river banks should move to higher grounds” he said.

 

Also speaking at the event, Miss Zhazim Josephine from Kwali Area Council (one of the volunteers) said she was motivated to enroll as a community Vanguard because of her interest to save lives “if people don’t come out to help the society, lives, and properties will continue to be lost and you can’t predict who will be next victim, thus the need volunteer” she said.

 

On what to take away from the meeting, Mr. Fwankat Isa Linus, a diver from Bwari Area Council said; “I have been empowered with the knowledge of preventing and mitigating flood disaster in my locality. “From here, I will go back and sensitize my people and neighboring villages on the alert of flooding this rainy season and how to prevent it because FEMA cannot do it alone “. He said

 

Earlier in the meeting, Mrs. Wenegiemie appealed to them to always report any case of the dead body around the waterways, according to her, “if someone is drowning in the flooded water, the water carries the dead body through the water channels away from the point of drawing, so if you witness any such incident, please report to your village head and then the police will alert FEMA”. She emphasized that FEMA advocates prevention and mitigation rather than disaster management and that all the relevant authorities have commenced the distilling of waterways, clearing of water channels and expanding narrow drainages for the free flow of water.

 

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Abubarkar Ododa Assistant Director, Education and Outreach (FRM) appreciated the Divers, Vanguard and Response Team for responding to the call of giving back to the society, and advised them not to let their people down by always doing the needful to avert disaster in their localities. He urged residents to always call the 112 Emergency told free number for the prompt response, he stressed that residents have a vital role to role as an emergency is everyone’s business.

 

The Day 1 of the meeting had in attendance representatives from Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji, and Day2 featured representatives of Amac, Kuje, and Bwari, to allow for maintenance of social distancing and COVID 19 protocols.

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Governor Yusuf Champions Education, Resolves Certificate Crisis for Kano Graduates

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Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emerged as a beacon of hope for graduates left stranded due to the previous administration’s negligence regarding academic certificates. His determination to rectify these injustices has culminated in decisive actions to secure the future of Kano’s youth. Ibrahim Adam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, shared these developments with the media.

On December 9, 2024, Governor Yusuf traveled to Cyprus with a mission to obtain the overdue academic certificates for Kano students affected by the prior administration’s failure to meet its educational financial obligations. During a critical meeting with the management of Near East University, the governor focused on facilitating the release of certificates for students who graduated between 2015 and 2019, particularly in essential fields like Medicine and Nursing.

In a significant move, Governor Yusuf has settled the outstanding fees of €1.4 million (approximately ₦2.5 billion) owed to the university for 84 medical and2015 to 2019. This substantial financial commitment honors the dedication and hard work of these graduates, restoring their hopes for a future that had previously been unjustly delayed. According to Ibrahim Adam, the certificates are set to be handed over to the Kano State Scholarship Board through the Nigerian Ambassador to Turkey, marking a pivotal moment for the affected students.

Governor Yusuf acknowledged the challenges faced by the graduates, declaring, “This situation has been a significant setback for our children, hindering their dreams and aspirations, and it has also affected our state, which is in dire need of their expertise.” His vision for a prosperous Kano is centered on prioritizing education, ensuring that talented individuals can make valuable contributions to the state’s advancement.

The governor’s proactive measures not only address the systemic issues in the education sector but also inspire renewed hope among Kano’s youth. By fulfilling his promises, he emphasizes the crucial role of supporting young people in achieving their aspirations, which is vital to the state’s growth.

As this milestone is celebrated, it is evident that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s relentless pursuit of educational reform signals a transformative era for Kano State. His administration’s unwavering focus on education stands as a vital investment in the futures of individuals and the overall development of the state.

Under his leadership, Kano State is poised to realize its full potential, with eager graduates ready to make impactful contributions to their communities. Governor Yusuf’s commitment to empowering the youth serves as an enduring reminder that with dedication and decisive action, a brighter future is attainable for all.

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Governor Yusuf Dedicates Vanguard’s Award to the People of Kano

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Governor Yusuf receiving the award

 

 

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Governor of the Year 2024 (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of his transformative achievements in the education and healthcare sectors.

The recognition was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.

Governor Yusuf received the award at a prestigious event held in Lagos, where eminent personalities from across the country were honoured for excellence in leadership and service.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Atedo Peterside, emphasized that the selection process was based on merit and verifiable impact, commending the awardees for their outstanding contributions to national development.

Vanguard’s Editor-in-Chief, Eze Anaba, praised Governor Yusuf for setting a high standard in governance through his commitment, innovation, and focus on people-centered policies.

In his remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vanguard for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kano State.

He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens, especially education, health, and social welfare.

Other recipients of the Good Governance Award included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).

Governor Yusuf was accompanied to the ceremony by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, special advisers, local government chairmen, and close political allies.

This latest honour comes just four days after he received the Governor of the Year (Education) award from Leadership Newspaper.

The Governor is also scheduled to receive the Africa Good Governance Award from Heritage Times Magazine later this month in Morocco.

 

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Over 11,000 Job Seekers Apply for Just 100 Positions at Kano Anti-Corruption Commission-Executive Chairman

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Muhuyi Magaji

 

The Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado, stated that over 11,000 people applied for 100 job positions the commission plans to fill within just 3 days.

The commission opened the application portal on April 7th, and it will close at midnight on Sunday.

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Muhyi said that by Thursday evening, 10,757 people had applied for the jobs, and by 10 p.m. that night, the number had reached 11,000.

Rimin Gado attributed the high number of applicants to the growing unemployment among the population.

He stated that they chose to open the application online in order to ensure fairness for everyone.

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