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Persons with Disabilities Distance Themselves from Recent Protest

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The Joint Clusters of Kano State Persons with Disabilities, under the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Kano State Chapter, have distanced themselves from a recent protest and press conference organized under the guise of the Kano Civil Societies Forum. The association clarified that there is a pending legal case regarding the leadership, and they were not part of the protest.

The Joint Chapters came across a protest and a press conference by some interest groups putting pressure on the Kano State government to create a disability commission. They categorically distanced themselves from the press conference and the alleged sponsored protest organized by individuals claiming to represent persons living with disabilities. “We were not aware of the protest, neither are we part of it!” the association stated.

Instead of staging protests, the association chose to utilize the open channel of communication provided by the Abba Kabir administration, where their complaints and concerns are directly and swiftly addressed by the government. They rejected the approach taken by the individuals involved in the protest and their involvement with the association’s name.

The Joint Clusters and the leadership of JONAPWD highlighted the significant strides made in improving the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under the leadership of His Excellency, Abba Kabir Yusuf. They based their arguments on several key achievements:

1. **Institutionalization of PWDs Affairs**: All Persons with Disabilities Associations were brought under the Ministry of Women Affairs, Children, and Disabled, providing a direct channel of communication between the Kano State Government and PWDs.

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2. **Direct Government Support**: In its 100 days in office, the Kano State Government provided substantial support to persons with disabilities, including assistive devices, medical consumables, and palliatives. The government distributed 100 bags of 10kg rice and 100 bags of 10kg maize to each Local Government Area (LGA) with a N50,000 transportation fee. Additionally, 200 bags of 25kg rice palliatives and direct cash transfers of N20,000 to 2,000 PWDs members across Kano State were provided.

3. **Support for Special Day Events**: The government generously supported the World Disability Day 2024 and the International Day for Spinal Cord Injury 2023 and 2024, allocating significant funds for various activities and initiatives. The government also sponsored Kano representatives from 44 LGAs to Bauchi for the World Stick Day for visually impaired individuals.

4. **Empowerment and Inclusion**: The government distributed hundreds of tricycles, diapers, and wheelchairs to PWDs and fully implemented free education for PWDs and their siblings.

While supporting the idea of having a disability commission, the association proclaimed that Kano State is the most disability-friendly state in Nigeria and is on the right track to implementing policies for the development of PWDs members in Kano. They commended the efforts of the Kano State Government under the leadership of H.E. Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf for empowering and including PWDs in the state’s development agenda. “We have never been denied His Excellency’s approval anytime we submitted PWDs proposal,” they stated.

The association urged all members of the Joint Clusters of Kano PWDs, JONAPWD, and the general public to distance themselves from all forms of protest in the name of fighting for the rights of persons with disabilities in Kano State. They recognized the positive impact of the government’s initiatives for persons with disabilities and prayed for a peaceful Kano State and Nigeria in general.

The statement was signed by:
– Musa Muhammed Shaga, JONAPWD Chairman, Kano Chapter
– Abdulrahman Uba Daushe, Chairman, Spinal Cord Injury Association, Kano
– Musa Muhammed Kura, Chairman, National Association for the Blind
– Yahaya A. Yahaya, Chairman, National Association for Physically Challenged, Kano
– Da’u Sa’idu, IDEA Chairman, Kano State
– Hajiya Mariya, Albino Association, Kano

 

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APC Youths Demand Nationwide Ban on Rarara’s Songs at Party Activities

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The Coalition of APC Progressive Youths has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prohibit the use of songs by popular political singer Dauda Adamu Kahutu, popularly known as Rarara, at all party activities across the national and state levels.

The group’s National Chairman, Hon. Sadiq Ali Sango, made the call in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

Sango alleged that Rarara’s songs have become more detrimental than beneficial to the ruling party, accusing the singer of using abusive language and divisive messages that undermine unity within the APC.

According to him, rather than promoting harmony among party members, Rarara’s style of political music has fueled hatred and deepened internal divisions.

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He further alleged that the singer has repeatedly targeted senior party leaders and elders with insulting lyrics, describing such conduct as inconsistent with the values and principles of the APC.

The coalition also accused Rarara of sponsoring campaigns against the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, claiming that the campaign encouraged some youths to launch personal attacks against the senator and make what it described as unfounded allegations against him.

The youth group condemned what it called Rarara’s “continuous politics of insults and character assassination,” warning that such actions could damage the party’s image ahead of future political contests.

Sango urged the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and other party stakeholders to immediately ban the use of Rarara’s songs at official party functions, rallies, and other political activities nationwide.

He added that the coalition would pursue all lawful and necessary measures to challenge what it described as conduct capable of causing disunity within the APC.

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Hon. Abubakar Bichi Commissions 120 Health Workers in Bichi

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The Kabir Abubakar Bichi Foundation has commissioned 120 temporary health workers who will be deployed across primary healthcare centres in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.

The commissioning ceremony was led by the Member representing Bichi Federal Constituency, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, on Saturday in Bichi. The event was attended by the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, alongside other dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar announced that the Federal Government is set to establish a new teaching hospital in Bichi Local Government Area to improve healthcare delivery.

“I recently attended meetings on education and healthcare development. As you know, we have Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and I want to assure you that we are working closely with the Minister of Health and the Chief Medical Director of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital to facilitate the establishment of a new teaching hospital in Bichi,” he said.

Abubakar Kabir Abubakar added that the project is receiving strong support from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We must appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the development of the healthcare sector. We are currently working towards securing the President’s final approval for the project under this year’s budget,” he said.

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Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, who also serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, reaffirmed his commitment to improving healthcare delivery. He disclosed that efforts are underway to upgrade Bichi General Hospital to the status of a specialist hospital in order to provide more advanced medical services and reduce pressure on major referral hospitals in Kano State.

He said “We are pleased to inform the Commissioner that we have completed the installation of equipment for the radiology department at Bichi General Hospital. The equipment includes a digital X-ray machine, 40 oxygen machines, and four dialysis machines, with an additional four dialysis machines expected soon.

“We are now awaiting the arrival of a 64-slice CT scan machine to complete the project. Once the remaining equipment arrives, we will be honoured to invite you and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to officially commission the upgraded facilities.

“We also plan to upgrade the surgical and operating theatre of Bichi General Hospital to meet the standards of leading hospitals across Kano State. Our goal is to strengthen healthcare delivery by reducing congestion at major referral hospitals in Kano metropolis, particularly Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital, Nasarawa, where increasing patient numbers are placing pressure on healthcare personnel and facilities.

“As Kano’s population continues to grow, expanding and equipping secondary healthcare facilities such as Bichi General Hospital has become essential to ensuring timely access to quality healthcare for our people.”

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar also appealed to the Kano State Government to upgrade Danzabuwa and Saye Primary Healthcare Centres to General Hospitals, assuring the government of his full support in providing infrastructure and medical equipment for the facilities.

He commended the health committee, led by Professor Yusuf Muhammad, for conducting a transparent screening exercise for the newly recruited health workers.

He urged the newly commissioned workers to discharge their responsibilities with professionalism, dedication, and integrity in the service of their communities.

The lawmaker further appealed to the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, to absorb the 120 temporary health workers into the state’s permanent and pensionable workforce.

He also praised Governor Yusuf for his investments in the health and education sectors, describing them as significant contributions to improving the welfare and well-being of the people of Kano State.

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85 Religious Leaders Graduate from JNI-Alkalanci Fact-Checking Training in Gombe

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The Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI), Gombe State chapter, in collaboration with Alkalanci, has trained 85 Islamic clerics, Imams and Tsangaya teachers drawn from across all local government areas of the state on fact-checking, media and information literacy, as part of efforts to curb the spread of Misinformation/disinformation ahead of the 2027 general election.

The two-day step-down training, which held in Gombe, brought together religious leaders who serve as trusted voices in their communities, with organisers stressing their unique position to either check or amplify the spread of false information.

This is one of the impact of the fact-checking and media literacy training done by Alkalanci in April 2026 in Gombe, where some JNI members were in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Secretary General of JNI, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, represented by Ustaz Yusuf Sa’id, underscored the critical role religious leaders play in combating disinformation, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 election.

He admitted that politicians often exploit clerics and religious platforms to spread disinformation for political gain, warning that such practices could deepen social division and mislead the public if left unchecked. He urged the participants to be more discerning and to use the knowledge gained from the training to protect their congregations from manipulation.

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Also speaking, the Sarkin Bai of Gombe, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi, urged religious leaders to be cautious in their sermons and public engagements, warning against the inclusion of unverified propaganda or false narratives in their preaching.

He emphasized the importance of training religious leaders in fact-checking and media and information literacy, noting that as custodians of public trust, clerics and imams have a responsibility to verify information before disseminating it to their followers.

In his remarks, the Editor of Alkalanci, Alhassan Bala, commended the Gombe chapter of JNI for partnering with Alkalanci to organise the step-down training, describing it as part of broader efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation.

“Gombe was one of the states we conducted training this year, and I am happy to say you are now the first to hold step-down training this is another impact of what we have been doing.”

He noted that some individuals, both within and outside the country, deliberately create false information and use emotional appeals to manipulate religious leaders and their followers into believing and spreading such content.

The training, which concluded on Sunday, featured sessions on identifying fake news, verifying sources, and understanding the dangers of unchecked information sharing, especially in the lead-up to elections.

At the end of the programme, participants pledged to disseminate the knowledge acquired to their various communities and to cautioned the public to always verify information before sharing, noting that this is in line with Islamic teachings on truthfulness and the avoidance of falsehood.

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