News
Kano Health Workers Undergo Community First Aid Response Training Programme
Ekwem Blessing Chinwendu
RN, RM, RPHN, BNSc
The Kano State Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the World Bank Impact Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (ReSMAT), has conducted a three-day Community First Aid Response (CFAR) training for health workers drawn from across the state.
The training exercise was declared open by the Programme Coordinator, Dr. Sharif Yahaya Musa.
Musa tasked the participants to put into best practice the knowledge gained from the exercise in the best interest of the development of the health sector in the state.
He encouraged the participants to take the training seriously and to put all they have learnt into practice.
Musa revealed that annually, thousands of people die, while others sustain severe injuries from various forms of accidents, adding that many of those deaths could be prevented if first aid was given before emergency services arrive.
He stated that first aid is the immediate and temporary care given to an ill or injured person. Its primary goals are to preserve life, prevent the condition from deteriorating, and promote recovery until medical help arrives.
Comrade Salisu Garba Ahmad, Senior Community Health Technician, in his presentation on first aid, pointed out that it is critical for health workers to acquire the skills required to perform CPR.
He added that it would serve immense communal value for non-health practitioners to also acquire the skills.
Salisu hinted that cases of mortality could be drastically reduced through the deployment of CPR care.
According to him, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving procedure performed on persons who are unresponsive and not breathing, applied through compression, airway management, breathing, and defibrillation.
He explained that members of the public should be enlightened on the skills of how to place persons in a state of unconsciousness, though still breathing, in a recovery position until help arrives, while maintaining proper observation to ensure they maintain normal breathing.
He said, “If someone is unconscious and not breathing normally, call the emergency number and start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) straight away.
“Check the scene for safety, form an initial impression, and use personal protective equipment (PPE).
“If the person appears unresponsive, check for responsiveness, breathing, life-threatening bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions using the shout-tap-shout method.
“If the person does not respond and is not breathing or is only gasping, call the emergency number and get equipment, or tell someone to do so.
“Kneel beside the person. Place the person on their back on a firm, flat surface. CPR guidelines recommend 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, 30 at a time. Remember these five points:
“Two hands centred on the chest. Body position: shoulders directly over hands; elbows locked. Compression depth: at least 2 inches.
“Rate of compressions: 100 to 120 per minute. Allow the chest to return to its normal position after each compression. Give two breaths. Open the airway to a neutral position using the head-tilt/chin-lift technique. Pinch the nose shut, take a normal breath, and make a complete seal over the person’s mouth with your mouth.
“Ensure each breath lasts about one second and makes the chest rise; allow air to exit before giving the next breath.
“If the first breath does not cause the chest to rise, re-tilt the head and ensure a proper seal before giving the second breath. If the second breath does not make the chest rise, an object may be blocking the airway.
“Continue giving sets of 30 chest compressions and two breaths. Use an AED as soon as one is available. Minimise interruptions to chest compressions to less than 10 seconds.”
Comrade Salisu warned that serious measures are needed to ensure the safety of the first aider, as well as the safety of the client or victim, before performing or rendering any form of help.
Comrade Salisu disclosed that common emergencies that are prevalent and require immediate help include shock, heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, bleeding, fractures and dislocations, acute asthmatic attacks, drowning, and choking.
While Dr. Mudassir went further to explain the following common emergencies and injuries, including diabetic emergencies, obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies, fainting attacks, snake bites, insect bites, poisoning, wounds, sprains, and strains.
Mallam Abubakar Musa demonstrated emergency positions, which are the recovery position, log roll, and HAINES position. He also explained some emergency moves, which are the fireman carry, piggyback method, dragging, chair lift method, two-handed seat, three-handed seat, four-handed seat, and crouching.
He lamented that there are challenges militating against the administration of first aid services in the state.
He stated that a major concern has arisen from inadequate training programmes for health workers on CPR services.
He said, “Inability of healthcare providers to put all they have learnt into practice. Lack of essential emergency equipment and drugs. Poor confidence among caregivers. Poor prompt decision-making by caregivers.
“Noting further that there is the challenge in the area of poorly equipped ambulances, inadequate ambulance services, a low number of ambulances in the state, and ambulances not being positioned in strategic places.”
He said that to tackle the challenges associated with CPR delivery, mass sensitisation is needed to address poor knowledge and skills on first aid measures.
He noted that advocacy and awareness campaigns are required to curb the low level of communication between communities and health facilities.
He called for the abolition of the current low priority being given to emergency services by all state and non-state actors, urging better collaboration with NGOs.
The participants reached the conclusion that, to move the state forward in the provision of CPR services, “continual refresher training should be conducted to build up the confidence of caregivers.
“Need for step-down training for other staff by trainees. Constant supervision to assess the level of competency. Provision of equipment and essential commodities for emergency services.
“Ensure a proper referral system when needed without delay. Ensure all equipment needed for the service is provided. Ambulance services should be available in all local government areas of the state and in some strategic places.
“Training of paramedics that will help handle emergency situations before arrival at the hospital. The ambulance driver should work in harmony with the emergency call centre.”
The public is adjudged to play a pivotal role in saving lives in the state through getting enlightened to understand that first aid care is everyone’s business and striving to work together with hospitals in their localities, while discouraging wrong traditional practices that endanger people’s lives.
It is emphasised that traditional healers need to work with orthodox medical practitioners to deliver accurate and adequate care.
The widespread dissemination of emergency call numbers in localities across the state for quick communication and response would help skyrocket the level of CPR service delivery in Kano.I limited the changes to grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and sentence structure where necessary for correctness and readability.
News
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Debt Management Office (DMO) says Nigeria’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026.
The DMO published the latest public debt portfolio report on Friday.
The figure represents a 9.4 percent or N14.39 trillion increase from the N152.4 trillion recorded at the end of June 2025.
It also represents an increase of N7.44 trillion or 4.7 percent compared with the N159.35 trillion recorded at the end of the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
According to the latest report, the debt stock comprises N91.59 trillion in domestic debt, which accounts for 54.91 percent of the total debt stock, and N75.2 trillion in external debt, representing 45.09 percent.
The debt office said domestic debt increased by N11.04 trillion (13.7 percent) from N80.55 trillion recorded in June 2025.
The office said external debt also rose by N3.35 trillion (4.7 percent) from N71.85 trillion in the same period.
According to the DMO, the federal government accounted for N152.77 trillion of the total debt stock, comprising N86.99 trillion in domestic debt and N65.77 trillion in external debt.
On the other hand, states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) accounted for the remaining N14.01 trillion — N4.59 trillion in domestic debt and N9.42 trillion in external debt.
In dollar terms, the agency said Nigeria’s total public debt stood at $120.93 billion as of June 30, 2026 — up from $99.66 billion recorded in June 2025.
The DMO said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official exchange rate of N1,379 per dollar as of June 30 was used to convert the external debt to naira.
News
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has welcomed the $800 million Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Project, describing it as a landmark development that affirms the growing viability of Nigeria’s upstream gas sector.
The project, located offshore in OMLs 112 and 117 and developed by AMNI International in partnership with TotalEnergies, will produce about 300 million standard cubic feet of gas per day at peak. The output will supply critical feedgas to Nigeria LNG Limited in support of its Train 7 expansion, which will increase capacity at the Bonny Island plant from 22 million tons per annum to 30 Mtpa.
The FID was enabled by the Presidential Directives of 2024, which provided fiscal incentives for non-associated gas, streamlined contracting and lowered development costs. Ima is the fourth major gas project to reach FID under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after Iseni, Ubeta and HI.
Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari described it as “a decisive vote of confidence in Nigeria’s gas sector and in the bold reforms” that have created competitive terms and a predictable investment environment.
NNPC Ltd. also commends the collaboration between AMNI, TotalEnergies and the Nigerian financial sector, saying the model of indigenous operator, international partner and domestic capital is a template for future developments.
In a statement signed by Andy Odeh Chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to work with government, regulators and industry partners to sustain investment momentum and deploy Nigeria’s gas resources for industrialisation, job creation and long-term prosperity.
News
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
Manufacturers under the aegis of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) thronged the Dangote Group’s pavilion at the exhibition to seek information and clarification on the ongoing Public Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP).
The three-day Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kano-Jigawa Branch of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the 54th in the series, ended on Thursday, with the Dangote Group’s representative hosting participants and engaging manufacturers who expressed keen interest in the ongoing Initial Public Offering (IPO) of the Dangote Refinery.
The Dangote Refinery Peoples’ IPO offers Nigerians and other eligible investors an opportunity to buy shares in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, thereby becoming part-owners of one of Africa’s largest industrial projects and participating in its future growth.
The Dangote Refinery IPO runs from 14 September to 13 October 2026.
Dangote Industries Limited is one of the sponsors of the 54th MAN AGM.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Sharada/Challawa Branch, Alhaji Nura S. Madugu, highlighted the mounting burden of multiple taxes, levies and charges on manufacturers, warning that the situation is increasing the cost of doing business and undermining the competitiveness of local industries.
Madugu urged the Kano State and Federal Governments to ease the tax burden on manufacturers and accelerate efforts to harmonise taxes and levies imposed on businesses.
He particularly decried the practice of double and multiple taxation, which he said continued to place additional financial pressure on manufacturers already grappling with high energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, expensive financing, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods.
“We are especially concerned about instances of double and even multiple taxation, where the three tiers of government impose what is essentially the same levy under different names and different guises. This practice places our products at a serious disadvantage in their constant competition with imported goods, a disadvantage made worse by the high cost of alternative power supply and the volatility of the foreign exchange rate.
Madugu reminded the meeting of MAN’s enormous contribution to the society and provide employment to thousands of Nigerians, as well as participating actively in tax revenue generation for the country.
“We provide employment to thousands of Nigerians. We participate actively in tax revenue generation for the states and the federation through the deduction of Value Added Tax on our products, the remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn on behalf of our staff, and the payment of Withholding Tax, Education Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, Company Income Tax, and a whole host of other levies too numerous to mention individually. Beyond taxation, we also discharge our Corporate Social Responsibility diligently to the communities in which we operate.
“Even though what we receive in return remains modest, we continue, in strength and in good faith, to serve this nation and to hold up its economy. We do this because we believe in Nigeria and in Kano State. But it must be said plainly,” Madugu added.
In his remarks also, MAN Chairman, Bompai/Jigawa Branch, Mohammed Bello I. Umar, appreciated the association’s members for their resilience, commitment and continued investment in the Nigerian economy despite the difficult operating environment.
He pointed out that the meeting provides the members of the association with an opportunity to reflect on its activities, review the challenges confronting their businesses, acknowledge the progress they have made, and chart a stronger course for the future of manufacturing in the country.
However, he said, the members must acknowledge that manufacturing remains under serious pressure.
He highlighted that the high cost of energy, multiple taxes and levies, inadequate infrastructure, high financing costs, insecurity, foreign exchange challenges and unfair competition from imported goods continue to affect our competitiveness.
“One issue that requires our collective attention is the importation of contraband and substandard goods. These products undermine local manufacturers who invest heavily
“Reliable and affordable electricity remains one of the most important requirements for industrial development.
He however welcomed the ongoing electricity reforms and efforts by the Kano State Government and the State House of Assembly towards establishing a more effective electricity framework for the State.
He called for the swift implementation of reforms that will create a more reliable, competitive and affordable electricity market for industries.
He noted that manufacturers continue to provide employment, generate wealth, support local communities and contribute significantly to government revenue in production, employ Nigerians and comply with government regulations.
“We must therefore stand together and call for stronger enforcement at our borders and markets.
He urged the relevant government agencies to intensify the fight against smuggling, counterfeiting and the importation of goods that compete unfairly with locally
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
NLC President Ajaero: It Is Wrong to Negotiate Minimum Wage Without Minimum Pension
Prof Yusuf Adamu Delivers BUK’s 63rd Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Reflects on Medical Geography and Academic Legacy
Zamfara Varsity ASUU Threatens Warning Strike Over FG-ASUU Agreement, Promotion Arrears
Bello Sharada: A Great Writer, A Bookish Soul, Gone Too Soon
Kano Chemists Threaten Warning Strike Over Alleged PCN Pressure
Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” for Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
Court Ultimatum Forces FBI to Hand Over Tinubu’s Fraud Records to Judge—But Keeps Them Hidden from Public
Report: Nigeria Records N166trn Public Debt
NNPC Ltd Welcomes $800m Ima Gas Final Investment Decision
At MAN AGM In Kano, Manufacturers Throng Dangote Pavilion Over ‘Peoples IPO’
NLC President Ajaero: It Is Wrong to Negotiate Minimum Wage Without Minimum Pension
Prof Yusuf Adamu Delivers BUK’s 63rd Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Reflects on Medical Geography and Academic Legacy
Zamfara Varsity ASUU Threatens Warning Strike Over FG-ASUU Agreement, Promotion Arrears
Bello Sharada: A Great Writer, A Bookish Soul, Gone Too Soon
Kano Chemists Threaten Warning Strike Over Alleged PCN Pressure
Per Ishaq Samaila: “Waziri” for Strategy. “Mai Jama’a” for Service. One Man. One Mission. Ibrahim Kabir Masari
Court Ultimatum Forces FBI to Hand Over Tinubu’s Fraud Records to Judge—But Keeps Them Hidden from Public
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