The Nutrition Society of Nigeria has raised alarm over  what it described as the  worrisome state of increase in hunger caused by food scarcity.

The association made the assertion, during its 54th Annual  Scientific Conference held in Kano saying,   due to increase in food scarcity , women and children in large number are now suffering indiscriminately from poverty and and malnutrition.

The national president of the association, professor Wasiu Afolabi ,  in a chat with journalists in Kano, as part of the NSN week long  annual activities , lamented  that the poor state of nutrition has had an adverse effect on  national economic growth, calling for actions to reverse the situation.

He stressed that  security challenges  in Nigeria  that are tied to  banditry, kidnapping are some of the key issues  that are responsible for  backward effect in food production that is been witnessed.

He explained that the security challenges in some  major parts of Nigeria were responsible for the barring  of farmers from staying on their farm to produce food, adding that this has contributed immensely to the decrease in food production , which  has led to adverse increase in cases of malnutrition.

He also decried the continous rise in inflation, citing this as one of the reason people can not have access to adequate food.

He further lamented that issues around climate change has also  culminated into rampant cases  flooding, desertification and other effects resulting  into the depreciating state of food production been recorded  over time in Nigeria.

The society said that cases of flooding in several parts of Nigeria has resulted in the washing away of  expanse of farm lands, which  has contributed  to inadequate food in the land.

He appealed to Nigerian  authorities at all strata to proceed  into  partnership with critical stakeholders with the goal  to embark  on massive food production programmes to address the issues bordering on inadequate food production .

He also urged that there is the urgent need for the development of new strategies in growing crops that will improve nutritional values.

According to him there is the need to develop tools for the creation of awareness on nutrition amongst the populace , noting that, if the citizen are well informed on how to combine food varieties to achieve nutritional balance the malfeasance challenges causing  malnutrition, hunger and poverty would be submerged.

The Kano State Ministry for Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation (MPPPM&E) has commended contractors for their progress on several key infrastructure projects across the state. During an inspection tour on Thursday, Honorable Commissioner Ibrahim Ali Namadi Dala visited seven major ongoing projects, as part of the ministry’s mandate to ensure accountability and quality in public works.

The commissioner’s tour included the dualization of the Government House-Daula Hotel Roundabout Lodge Road, which is 40% completed, and the full renovation of Nuhu Bamali Maternity Hospital, now completed. Other projects reviewed included the Sickle Cell Center at Murtala Muhammad General Hospital, which is 70% completed, and the Kiru Reformatory Center, which stands at 44% completion.

Additional projects inspected were the construction of female hostels at the School of Nursing in Madobi and the construction of two flyover and underpass bridges at Tal’udu and Dan Agundi intersections. These projects are part of the Kano State Government’s efforts to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and education across the state.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, Hon. Namadi Dala emphasized the ministry’s commitment to upholding high standards of efficiency, transparency, and fairness in project execution. He assured that ongoing monitoring is in place to prevent unethical practices and ensure that all projects meet the needs of the public. “This visit is part of our mechanism to prevent and detect unethical practices in project processes,” he said.

In a statement issued to newsmen by the public relations officer of the ministry Sageer Ado said while expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of the work, the commissioner stated that the MPPPM&E will continue to oversee all projects to ensure they are completed to the highest standards. The ministry’s mission, he added, is to ensure openness, probity, and competitiveness in the procurement and execution of government projects.

In a move aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring effective management in the state’s higher education sector, the Kano State Executive Council has approved the conversion of Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education back to Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kumbotso. The institution will remain a degree-awarding body despite the reversion.

The decision was made during the council’s 18th sitting, following extensive consultations with key stakeholders and the recommendations of a high-level committee appointed by the state government. The committee was tasked with assessing the university’s status and proposing ways to enhance its academic quality.

In a statement signed by the states commissioner for information Baba Halilu Dantiye said the following

The committee’s findings reflected concerns from both the academic and non-academic communities, as well as other stakeholders, about the challenges associated with the transition from a college to university status. One key issue was the institution’s strategic location, which serves students from non-metropolitan areas. Stakeholders feared that the transition could have a negative impact, including the potential loss of experienced lecturers, salary-related disputes, and administrative challenges that could compromise the institution’s operational efficiency.

The Council highlighted that similar institutions across the country have operated successfully as colleges of education while offering a range of degree programs without converting to university status. The “Dual Mode” system, introduced by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), allows colleges to offer both certificate and degree programs, providing a flexible academic structure.

The Kano State Government reassured students that the conversion will not affect their current academic pursuits. Existing undergraduates will continue their studies without disruption, and the university’s certification will be preserved for future use. Additionally, the institution will maintain its traditional courses and continue to offer degree programs under its new expanded mandate as a college of education.

As part of the restructuring, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the immediate dissolution of the university’s management. The Vice Chancellor has been directed to hand over the institution’s affairs to the most senior deputy, pending further announcements.

This decision underscores the Kano State Government’s commitment to stabilizing and enhancing the performance of its higher education institutions, while addressing stakeholder concerns to maintain academic excellence and operational efficiency.