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Arewa Radio Sets Record For Highest Blood Donation Drive

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On Saturday, June 25th, 2023 a top indigenous media organization, Arewa Radio set a record for the biggest Blood Donation Drive in Kano State to support sickle cell patients across the state and beyond, which was in commemoration of the World Sickle Cell Awareness Day 2023 as well as the World Blood Donor Donor Day 2023.

The Blood Donor Clinic of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital was filled to the brim from morning through evening as residents from within and outside the state came through to support those in dire need of blood, especially the Sickle Cell warriors.

At the end of the one day drive, close to 500 pints of blood were donated for this noble cause, the highest ever recorded in the history of blood donation drives in Kano, despite the high burden of the disorder in the state.

The Blood Donation Drive generated interests from as far as Katsina and even Niger Republic. A Bakori based farmer in Katsina State said he had to suspend everything to come down to Kano specifically for the cause, following the awareness campaigns that flooded Arewa Radio for the whole week.

Nigeria is said to have the highest burden of Sickle Cell Disorder in the continent and by extension, the whole world. With an annual infant death of about 150,000 representing more than eight percent (8%) of infant mortality in the country, Nigeria is regarded as the top sickle cell endemic country in Africa.

The blood donation drive

The blood donation drive

About 50 million people are living with sickle cell disease globally and Nigeria has about 4-6 million people living with the disease and annually about 300,000 newly diagnosed sickle cell children are born worldwide.

In addition, at least 100,000 babies die from the disorder in Nigeria every year according to 2014 statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO), making it the number one sickle-cell endemic country in Africa.

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Blood transfusion is one of the most important routines of managing sickle cell patients, especially during crisis. However, the acute shortage of blood in health facilities across the country has been posing a lot of threats to those living with the disorder and Kano State is not an exception.

Myths and lack of awareness have been attributed to the inadequacy of voluntary blood donors, the most reliable way to address the shortage of blood in our hospitals.

Part of the donation drive

Part of the donation drive

These facts were the highlights of what motivated the Kano based radio station to explore mechanisms of solution journalism to promote engagement of stakeholders in this regard by first initiating a weeklong sensitization campaign against sickle cell and the importance of blood donation, not only to the receiver but the donor as well.

The campaign in collaboration with top civil society organizations like the Sickle Cell Trust Fund, the Sickle Cell Community, Sickle Cell Club, the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Danmaliki Pharmaceuticals and Gen. Ent. Ltd, Red Cross, Novomed Pharmacy, REACH PROGRAM and other philanthropists, held several live discussion shows, featuring medical experts, patients suffering from the disorder and their care givers.

In separate interviews, presidents of the Sickle Cell Community and that of the Sickle Cell Club in Kano, Rukayyah Kamal Ibrahim and Aminu Sabitu respectively, expressed gratitude over the massive turnout, describing it as the biggest ever recorded from the inception of their associations till date.

Speaking shortly after the program, Binta Abdullahi Fulani, a broadcaster who doubles as the Corporate Liaison Officer for Arewa Radio explains that the success of the event had buttressed the point that as a powerful tool, the radio had gone beyond the conventional broadcasting and should be able to touch lives in a more direct approach, calling on other media organizations to follow suit.

“With the help and support of our partners, we were able to set a new record of close to 500 pints of blood donation for our sickle cell warriors, and this is just the beginning as we are open to more collaboration to sustain this milestone”.

She added that, “one of the biggest challenges of blood donation asides the poor level of awareness is the high cost of blood bags, as the country relies on imports from foreign countries”.

Mrs. Fulani, who spoke on behalf of the management of Arewa Radio and the other partners, gave a breakdown of the sharing formula for the donated blood, where 110 pints of blood will be allocated to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, while Mohammadu Wase Teaching Hospital (Nasarawa), Murtala Specialist Hospital and Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital were allotted 100 pints of the donated blood each and Dala Orthopedic Hospital will receive 25 pints.

According to the media organization, the donation is set to begin on Monday June, 26th 2023, adding that the receiving hospitals will be expected to conduct the screenings and testes as well as provide the results, which will later be distributed to the donors in due course.

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KANSIEC Appoints Adhoc Staff for Ward Bye-Elections

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Prof Sani Lawal Malumfashi KANSIEC Chairman

 

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, has issued appointment letters to adhoc staff for the upcoming ward bye-elections in three local government areas of the state.

During the presentation of the appointment letters, Professor Malumfashi urged the adhoc staff to justify the trust and confidence the commission has reposed in them.

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He expressed his confidence in their ability to discharge their duties based on their level of education, experience, and track record of honesty and dedication.

The adhoc positions include 3 Returning Officers, 3 Electoral Officers, and 3 Assistant Electoral Officers for Dala (Kofar Mazugal), Dogowa (Maraku), and Ghari (Matan Fata) wards.

In a statement signed by Bashir Habib Yahaya media aid to the executive chairman said the Chairman appreciated security agencies, politicians, and the general public for their support and cooperation. The bye-elections are scheduled to hold on December 13, 2025.

 

 

 

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One Kano Agenda Raises Alarm Over Rising Insecurity

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Civic platform One Kano Agenda has raised alarm over rising insecurity in Kano State, warning that abductions, attacks, and suspicious activities are threatening both residents and the wider Northern region. The group made the call during a press conference in Kano on Wednesday , stressing that the state’s reputation for peace and hospitality is under strain.

According to the group adressed by its Chairman Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai said credible reports have emerged of unidentified individuals operating commercial motorcycles across several communities, particularly in Kano North.

Many of these individuals reportedly do not speak fluent Hausa, fueling suspicion among locals. The organization commended the Kano State Government for swiftly banning motorcycles in the metropolis and praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s introduction of the Safe Corridor program, which has absorbed over 2,000 youths into community security and intelligence structures.

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According to Abbas initiative said for the first time in Kano’s history that insecurity is being tackled through both rehabilitation and enforcement. Previous administrations, it noted, relied largely on force and political alliances. Residents were urged to report suspicious activities, avoid direct confrontation, and remain vigilant.

Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai further called on Emirate Councils and traditional leaders to strengthen coordination with district and village heads to ensure swift information flow to security agencies. The group also urged community members to cooperate fully with police, vigilante units, and intelligence frameworks, while encouraging security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance, especially in border and transport areas.

The organization expressed concern over what it described as “reckless politicization” of security challenges by certain media outlets and political actors. It accused some of exploiting the situation for personal gain, pointing to reports of police redeployment from flashpoints to cemeteries, leaving vulnerable communities exposed. “Such actions embolden criminal elements to see Kano as a safe haven,” the group warned.

On recent directives involving a former governor and a senator, One Kano Agenda stressed the importance of due process and professionalism. It urged security agencies to act transparently and in compliance with constitutional provisions, regardless of the individuals’ status.

In its closing remarks, the civic platform announced plans for a “Peace Walk” and “Prayer for Divine Intervention” to unite residents and foster solidarity. Abbas Abdullahi Yakasai said the initiative, it said, would appeal for divine protection over Kano and Northern Nigeria. The group urged stakeholders, especially media and political actors, to prioritize public safety over personal gain.

 

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Kano Hosts 47th National Council on Establishments

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Kano State has successfully hosted the 47th National Council on Establishments (NCE), bringing together senior public service leaders to strengthen policies and reforms in Nigeria’s Civil Service.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, described the Civil Service as the backbone of governance and stressed that its efficiency is critical to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. She announced the approval of new policies on Rewards and Recognition, Incentives and Consequence Management, and Mentoring, as well as continued efforts toward digitalisation and capacity building through ASCON and Federal Training Centres.

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She commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for hosting the Council and for Kano’s worker-friendly policies.

In his address, Governor Yusuf highlighted Kano’s historic contribution to national governance and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to civil servants’ welfare. He disclosed that the state has settled over half of the ₦48 billion inherited retirement benefits backlog, with the balance to be cleared soon. He also noted improvements in promotions, training and working conditions.

Both leaders urged participants to commit to the core values of Accountability, Meritocracy, Professionalism, Loyalty and Efficiency, as deliberations continue.

The Council’s resolutions are expected to strengthen governance and public service delivery across the federation.

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