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Opinion

Rainy Season: Need for the Needful

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By Sani Surajo Abubakar

A rainy season (also known as a wet season) is a time of the year where the majority of a country’s or region’s annual precipitation occurs. Rainfall is experienced throughout the year in Nigeria, with most significant rainfall occurring from April to October, and with minimal rainfall occurring November to March.

As predicted by the NiMet (Nigerian Meteorological Agency), this year’s raining season has set in expectation of heavy downpour and flooding in some communities spread across the country especially those in the coastal areas.

The NiMet’s 2024 rainfall prediction indicated that the rainfall is expected to begin in the first week of April, and end in the first week of December. It is also predicted the delay of rainfall in some parts of the country, especially in the North – Central states. However, other parts of the country are likely to observe normal to above normal annual rainfall amount.

In normal circumstances, the rainy Season in the northern Nigeria if not for the effects of weather and climate Change, do set in early June and ceased to stop towards the middle or end of October or in the first week of November as the case may be.

The coming of the rainy season brings succor and reduce the disturbing heat of the dry weather, yet, while the rain can be enjoyable, it also poses certain health risks for people to be cautious of to enjoy the period and tap from its enormous benefits.

 

One of the health risks that the rainy season comes with is food and water contamination. Watching food and water to use during the season is very crucial as food and other factors may have contaminated the water or food to use.

Careless handling and improper storage of food and water can lead to contamination and brought about illnesses capable of disastrous consequences.

To avert food and water contamination, people need to maintain proper hygiene practices such as washing hands before handling food, thoroughly cooking food, storing perishable items appropriately and always consume freshly cooked food and avoid eating loosely during the period.

Secondly, rainy season often increases mosquito population. As it the period that mosquito breeds due to the availability of stagnant water and conducive atmosphere for breeding. The higher the rate of mosquito breeding, the higher the heightening the risk of mosquito-related diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, and dengue fever among others.

For people to protect themselves, they need to eliminate stagnant water around their residences, use mosquito repellants, wear long sleeves dresses especially at night, sleep under mosquito nets. Additionally, people should consider using screens or mosquito nets on windows and doors to prevent mosquito entry.

Waterborne illnesses are caused by recreational or drinking water contaminated by diseases or can be acquired by consuming contaminated food or beverages from contact with animals or their environment, or through person-to-person spread.

During the rainy season, water sources can get contaminated, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as Cholera, typhoid, and so on. These diseases are transmitted through contaminated water or contact with infected surfaces.

It is pertinent in reducing the risks to drink safe, purified water, maintain good personal hygiene and avoid playing or working in floodwaters.

Furthermore, on the health risks that accompanied rainy season is the possibility of increasing respiratory infections, including common cold, flu and respiratory allergies and can trigger conditions like sickle cell anemia if care is not taken.

The state of being between dry and wet (damp) environment promotes the growth of mould, fungi and allergies which at long run exacerbate respiratory and other related conditions.

To totally overcome or minimize the risk of developing the said infections and other medical conditions, people should maintain good hygiene practices, avoid crowed places if possible, keep living spaces well ventilated and free from dampness.

 

Slip and fall accidents also do accompanied the rainy season. This is happening in wet and slippery surfaces and accounting to higher percentage of injuries like sprains, dislocations, fractures, head trauma and other diseases witness in such period.

 

To reduce the possibility of having slip and fall accidents, people should wear appropriate footwear with good traction, use hand rails when available, and walk cautiously on wet surfaces. It is advisable further to keep living and work space areas well-lit and clear of potential hazards and not to step or stroll in flood water, no matter how small.

 

Another risk that occurred in the rainy season is flooding. The floods due occur when water overflows from the normal boundaries of a stream, river or other body of water, or accumulates in an area that is usually dry. The floods usually come with devastating effects as it renders many people homeless, loss of property and to some extent lives.

 

To avoid occurrence of flooding, waterways must be cleared and people should desist from erecting structures on waterways and channels for safety and comfortability of habitation at residences, markets, places of worship, public buildings among others.

Also, drainages should be desilted, cleared and authority concerned must ensure evacuation of refuse and enforce stiffer penalties on recalcitrant who dump refuse in drainages and water ways.

Despite the risks of the rainy season and the ways to avoid them stated above, and with total and unrelented commitment of all the stakeholders, people can enjoy hitches free rainy season and maximally benefitted from enormous bounties, bumper harvest and blessing the season do brought.

 

 

Sani, is an Assistant Information Officer, Government House, Kano

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Opinion

That’s AA Zaura/Peter Obi Meeting’s: Signifying The Importance Of Zaura In The Nigerian Grassroots Politics

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The Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 polls, Peter Obi, private visit to the Abuja home of a-born chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura, popularly known as AA Zaura, has once more raised the craft significance of Zaura importance in the Nation Grassroots Politics.

Although, one might think the Visits is just one of those Obi’s Visits to his Friends and Political Poe’s, but is per beyond that,many who knows the strategies touches of Zaura in capturing the minds of Nigerians through his philanthropist magnanimous historic attendances, will appreciate the Political strategy of Peter Obi in making the realignment with Zaura.

Although the only things that could be reported from the meetings was the two politicians engagement in a closed-door meeting that lasted over an hour, many Analysts believes that there is more than meets the eye’s in the Obi/Zaura meetings.

It is true that, neither Obi nor Zaura disclosed the motive of the meeting after their discussion, as both maintained that it was a private matter. But reports has it that the realignment of the two old friends is a strategic moves towards 2027.

Although the meeting between Obi and Zaura has been described as highly confidential, sources close to both parties suggested that the visit was part of Obi’s broader efforts to engage with influential political figures across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election.

AA Zaura, who is the President of the AA Zaura Foundation International, was the APC candidate for Kano Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, and a key figure in the Kano political scene.

Zaura influence and Obi’s push for broader political alliances ahead of 2027, the timing of the meeting could signal strategic moves aimed at fostering unity among diverse political forces.hile the specifics of their talks were still unknown, the meeting’s private nature has only added to speculations about possible collaboration between the two leaders in the near future.

Before the duo went into the private talks, Obi openly commended Zaura for his exceptional leadership and philanthropic initiatives, particularly through the AA Zaura Foundation International, which has been instrumental in lifting many Nigerians, especially those from his region, out of poverty, former Anambra State governor lauded Zaura’s passion towards lifting ordinary Nigerians from being consumption-focused to a people with production mindset through his empowerment initiatives, stressing the long-term impact such initiatives bring to the country at large.

AA Zaura expressed his admiration for Obi’s consistent posture on national issues, particularly his commitment to a more prosperous and self-reliant Nigeria, a statement that could clearly be seen as a thumps Up to Obi’s commitment and courage in his Presidential pursue.

It could be recalled that Zaura calculative Political Moves was among several efforts that gave President Tinubu victory in 2023, where he openly predicted that Bola Ahmad Tinubu will be the next Nigeria President no matter what. Zaura at that time insisted that zoning formula must be maintained and out of that the only Person that will benefit from it was Bola Ahmad Tinubu because of the fact that he was the last Man standing as far as South is concerned and that his struggles for the survival of the Polity can only be paid by allowing him to be the next President, the remaining is History.

Many saw that position as just a political jester coming from a desperate ally trying to sold his Friend (Tinubu) backs in 2022, more so that Zaura not only stick to his position but went on campaigning for Tinubu even before the commencement of proper Campaign stipulated times.

Today, Zaura dogged stand for Tinubu Presidential Candidature is history because it had well being achieved and the President has already fully taken the mantle of Leadership trying his best for a better Nigeria.

In a sum up, AA Zaura is one person that could not be played with because of his Political influence, courage, zeal and passion for a better Nigeria, that enough could trigger Peter Obi to run back to his old Political Friend for a prosperous Nation.

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Opinion

EXCLUSIVE: How FG Director Abandon Posting, Release Funds Against Civil Service Rules

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A Director of Accounts in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity has continued to stay in the Ministry despite approval of his Posting to the Ministry of Defence.

POLITICS DIGEST exclusively gathered that the said Treasury Officer who doubles as Director of  Accounts has continued to approve the release of funds despite his posting to another Ministry which is a breach of the civil service rules under the watch of the Permanent Secretary who is aware of what the civil service rules.

In a letter dated 12th November, the Accountant General of the Federation Oluwatosoyin Mudsin approved the Posting of the said Treasury officers with immediate effect but the officer in question Bala Saleh has continued to serve in the Ministry of Labour instead of Defence where he was posted to with immediate effect.

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A staff of the Ministry who pleaded for anonymity told this paper that he abandoned his new posting because of the support of a retired permanent secretary while both the Minister and that of State were not aware of the said letter which is totally against the civil service rules.

However, some staff of the Ministry have confided to this paper their readiness to petition the Director in question to the ICPC.

When contacted over the matter, the spokesperson of the Ministry declined to comment and promised to call our reporter back after his findings on the matter.

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Opinion

Open Letter To His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Kano State:Need For A Balanced Composition Of Kano State Executive Council

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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state

 

Open Letter To His Excellency The Executive Governor Of Kano State:Need For A Balanced Composition Of Kano State Executive Council

Ismail Abdu Garba

Your Excellency sir, I want to use this opportunity to call your kind attention regarding the trend followed by your predecessors to form a composition of the state executive council that is not an all-inclusive which fails to address the need for every local government to be well represented in line with the principle of federal character establishment. The negligence or oversight of this administrative arrangement has become a typical set back that led to marginalization of Warawa L.G.A since its establishment by law in 1991, undermining not only its human capacity development but also the general welfare of its indigenes as evident in the few development projects so far executed by the state.
Sir, none of your predecessors on record has ever given us fair representation or equal opportunity through appointment to serve as a member of the state executive council either as Commissioner or Special Adviser since the establishment of Warawa Local Government. Adopting a similar trend by your administration Your Excellency is a great set back to your performance indicators for good governance towards fulfilling your campaign promises.
Among all of the twenty-four (24) Commissioners and about thirty-two (32) Special Advisers whom you appointed, and were cleared before the State Assembly, none is an indigene of Warawa L.G.A. Not only that Your Excellency Sir, so far all of your political appointment for the various position of heads of respective Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ranging from about (7) Director General DGs, ( 44) Managing Directors MDs and Deputies, Executive Directors EDs, (5) Executive Secretary ES, and even Project Coordinators none is an indigene of Warawa L.G.A.

Your Excellency Sir only if you imagine having a similar composition of Federal Executive Council members at the Federal level without Kano State having any ministerial position designated (not even minister of state) while another state gets two or more, then it appears how disheartening is this recurring marginalization to the extent that a ward from another L.G.A will end up having two or more appointees and even an additional appointment as head of some MDAs while Warawa as a constitutionally recognized L.G.A end up with none.

Ismail Madari

Ismail Madari

With the exception of state constituency allocation and the ongoing 5 km entrance road projects, no presence of road developmental projects sponsored by the state as obtainable in other L.G.A that are well represented in the Council and beyond. Warawa L.G.A is autonomous like every other Local Government Area. Both the constitution and electoral act made it mandatory no single election into the office of the executive governor of Kano state will be declared conclusive without the votes of this administratively neglected local government area.
For this reason and beyond, in the principle of justice, fairness and equity we call upon you to kindly address the issue by giving us fair and equal opportunity to develop this resourceful Local Government Area. Our interest is to be part of the history to be written in gold by this administration, as we are part of the struggle that brought it on board.
Thank You.

Yours Sincerely,

Engr. Ismail Abdu Garba
Lecturer / Research scholar
Member, Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly KSA
Chairman, Warawa Education Election Campaign Committee (2019&2023)
Email – madaarie@gmail.com

Phone Number:08032868665

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