The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme in Kano State on Wednesday has organised a one-day media sensitisation training on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) for improved nutrition, aimed at strengthening the role of the media in promoting positive nutrition practices across the state.

The training, themed “From Information to Action: Media’s Role in Driving Nutrition Behavior Change,” brought together media practitioners and key stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the SAPZ concept, its development objectives, and its nutrition intervention programme.

Introducing the programme, the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer of the SAPZ Programme, Kano State Coordination Office, Rabi Mustapha Sadiq, explained that SAPZ is a collaborative initiative involving the Kano State Government, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). She noted that IFAD and IsDB are the co-founders of the Kano State SAPZ initiative.

She also stated that the programme was initiated by the Kano State Government to support smallholder farmers, small-scale agro-processors, and community-based service providers, with the overall goal of boosting agricultural productivity, value addition, and food and nutrition security.

Highlighting the progress recorded so far, he revealed that over 2,000 farmers benefited from the programme during the 2024 wet season under the merchant grant implementation scheme. She added that plans are underway to support more than 9,000 farmers during the 2026 dry season, covering rice producers, processors and marketers, as well as tomato, groundnut, and sesame value chains.

On her part, Dr. Rukayya Aliyu Yusuf of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University Kano, delivered a presentation on understanding the basics of behaviour change towards improving nutrition in Kano State.

She stated that journalists have a critical role to play in improving nutrition among the population by creating awareness and producing programmes that can help change people’s behaviour towards eating a balanced diet.

Dr. Rukayya noted that although changing people’s behaviour is often difficult, journalists can influence it by applying wisdom in their programmes and write-ups. According to her, behaviour change is the process of modifying how a person acts, thinks, or responds—moving from old habits to new ones. She described this as a significant task but stressed that with wisdom and strategic communication, it can be achieved.

She further explained that in Kano State, as in many parts of the country—particularly in the North—malnutrition and poor dietary practices remain serious challenges. However, she emphasized that through sustained advocacy and accountability, journalists can use investigative journalism to expose issues such as food wastage, corruption, and policy failures that contribute to poor nutrition outcomes.

Dr. Rukayya also highlighted the importance of community engagement and data-driven reporting.
SolaceBase reports that she advised journalists to first understand the behaviour of the people they are engaging with before attempting to influence or change it.
According to her, nutrition is not merely about food; it is about choices, habits, and the social and cultural contexts that shape those choices—making it fundamentally a behavioural issue.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Kano State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Sunusi, thanked the organisers of the programme, noting that the government cannot achieve its objectives alone and that the media must play an active role.
He emphasized that the Kano State Government is fully committed to improving agriculture across the state.
He disclosed that the state government has approved the construction of 11 dams to enhance irrigation and boost farmers’ productivity. According to him, the government has also procured a large number of tractors and combine harvesters as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural sector and increase agricultural output.

By Abba Anwar

It is in rare cases that you spot individual politician like the Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Dr Barau I Jibrin, CFR, who enters the new year of 2026 with a profound human development engagement.

On Thursday, First January, 2026, he distributed 129 federal government employment offers for his people. An event that took place at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

Senator Barau was represented at the occasion by Honourable Minister of State, Housing, Yusuf Abdullahi Atah, who urged all the beneficiaries to remain committed and steadfast in the discharge of their responsibilities.

This at the very beginning of the new year, gives an insight into his relentless effort in developing his people with vigor and unwavering commitment. My readers could be witnesses in one way or another, of how difficult it is in today’s Nigeria to get access to federal government appointments.

This effort speaks volumes about how deeply rooted is the DSP in the welfare of his people. Being a highly responsive leader with special interest in building the capacity of his constituents, his love for skills development is concrete and unassuming.

What interests all about this New Year resolution process of the Deputy Senate President, is the selection process of the newly recruited beneficiaries. The procedure was characterized by due process as all applicants were given equal opportunities to compete.

Believe it or not, his unique interventions in the past instances, before now, helped in acknowledging him as one of the few identified productive politicians who always put the electorate first before any other consideration. Public interest first before personal identification.

The year 2026, could be a pregnant of many interpretations and divergent outcomes to many people. But from the look of things, as DSP opens the new year with the distribution of 129 federal government employment opportunities, his, will be a scenario of happy, happier and happiest. Making 129 families happy, the first day of a year, isn’t an easy task. He didn’t give these families fish, but he facilitated their knowledge and accessibility to learn how to catch a fish. A whole lot life saving engagement.

I read, listened and watched new year messages from individual politicians and non-politicians alike, not only across Kano state, or North West, but across the entire 19 Northern states, if not across Nigeria, as a whole, from yesterday to this morning, I couldn’t spot any, who opened a new chapter of 2026 with such style as DSP does.

I know if you can ask him one-on-one, he will tell you that, this is not his making but a Divine process and implementation. But I stand to be corrected. While individual preferences are always allowed in daily engagements, but the fate and outcomes are the fundamental power of The Creature. To the normal mind, DSP’s first public engagement in 2026, catalogues victory, safety and protection. That only discerning minds see the flipside.

During the event of the distribution of appointment letters, a great number of the beneficiaries attended the event with their families, friends and well wishers. All praying for happy and prosperous life for the DSP. For putting smile in their faces. Emphasizing that, this is what democracy and its dividends should be.

As one of the strongest pillars of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country, Senator Barau, as reserve and calm, as he appears, maintains that, human development first before any other consideration. Hence his many years of meaningful interventions. While his approach strengthens his political base, his exposure places him above many of his contemporaries. Not to say a word on late comers.

Distinguished Senator’s name alone, is synonymous with hard work, selfless service, informed exposure, unwavering commitment, enduring political relationships, communal togetherness, focus, ingenuity, enhanced expertise in governance, collective responsibility and political independence.

Anwar writes from Kano
Friday, 2nd January, 2026

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Bauchi State Government has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over what it described as political misuse of state institutions and abuse of legal procedures following the arrest and arraignment of its officials on allegations of terrorism financing.

Recall that on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, the anti-graft agency arraigned the Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, alongside three senior civil servants before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged terrorism financing–an accusation the state government insists is unfounded and malicious.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Bala Mohammed, Mukhtar Gidado, the government expressed “deep concern” over the EFCC’s recent actions, describing them as targeted attempts to criminalise public service and smear the governor’s reputation.

According to the state, the accused officials acted strictly within constitutional and financial regulations, insisting that no offence was committed beyond the lawful discharge of official duties.

“To criminalise routine governance functions is to criminalise government itself and to endanger public administration across the federation,” the statement read in parts.

The government particularly frowned at what it called the “belated introduction” of terrorism and money laundering allegations, noting that such claims surfaced only after judicial scrutiny questioned the legality of earlier procedures.

It said no terrorist organisation or act had been linked to the state, nor had any credible evidence been presented to warrant such grave accusations.

“The timing and manner of these allegations raise fears they were introduced as an afterthought, intended to intimidate, scandalise, and damage reputations rather than advance justice,” the statement added.

The government also dismissed the EFCC’s claim that the Accountant-General was “at large”, clarifying that he honoured invitations, was detained for days, and later released on bail.

Gidado expressed worries that, despite not being listed as a defendant, Governor Bala Mohammed’s name was repeatedly mentioned in the court filings — a move he described as an attempt to subject him to a “trial in the court of public opinion” and violate his constitutional immunity.

“The serial mention of the governor’s name is a deliberate attempt to indict him and politically destroy his image. This is unacceptable,” the statement continued.

The Bauchi State government further warned against actions that could endanger the safety of the governor, his staff, and their families, alleging that an atmosphere of fear and tension was being created around the issue.

It reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability but insisted that the fight against corruption must be impartial, evidence-based, and devoid of political vendetta.

“Selective justice, retaliatory prosecutions, and the politicisation of law enforcement institutions weaken democracy,” the state warned.

Adding that the governor’s name must be removed from the charge sheet in line with immunity provisions, the statement further called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the EFCC’s conduct and ensure adherence to constitutional safeguards.

The government said it would continue to defend democratic norms and the dignity of the people, urging political actors to avoid weaponising state institutions.

“Bauchi remains peaceful, united, and focused on governance. No amount of persecution will diminish the confidence the governor enjoys across Nigeria,” the statement maintained.