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Kano Health Workers Undergo Community First Aid Response Training Programme

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Photo credit :Afinet

 

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.

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“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.

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Nigeria’s GDP Growth, Drop in Inflation Not Translating into Poverty Reduction – BUK Deputy VC

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The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Bayero University Kano (BUK), Professor Ahmad Muhammad Tsauni, has said that Nigeria’s recent economic growth and decline in inflation have yet to translate into a meaningful reduction in poverty among citizens.

Professor Tsauni, an economist, made this observation during a gathering organised by the Non-Formal Development for Education and Health Initiative, with the theme, “Nigeria at a Crossroad: Who Is to Fix It?”

He said that although Nigeria had recorded some level of growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and improvements in certain economic indicators, the development had not significantly improved the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, the country continues to grapple with complex economic and social challenges that require collective efforts and practical solutions to overcome.

“We want to show that Nigeria is a country that, in spite of its challenges, has complex problems that will not really allow it to address them easily. Recently, we have been experiencing some level of growth in GDP, but those indices are not translating into a reduction in poverty, and so we are at a crossroads,” he said.

The BUK Deputy Vice-Chancellor explained that addressing the country’s challenges required more than government interventions, stressing that every Nigerian had a responsibility to contribute to rebuilding the country.

He maintained that the responsibility of finding solutions to Nigeria’s problems should not be left to individuals, political leaders or organisations alone, but should involve citizens from all sectors of society.

Professor Tsauni also called on the government to formulate and implement pragmatic policies capable of addressing the country’s challenges, while emphasising the importance of building public trust.

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He, however, identified negative societal attitudes and a lack of commitment to national development as some of the major obstacles preventing Nigeria from achieving the desired results from its policies.

According to him, Nigeria has developed several sound policies over the years, but poor attitudes and the failure of citizens to demonstrate the necessary commitment have continued to undermine their implementation.

“We have beautiful policies in Nigeria, but they cannot work because of our attitude. We should not apportion blame to anybody because we created the problem together, so everybody should contribute,” he said.

The university don urged Nigerians across different professions and institutions to examine their conduct and take responsibility for improving the country.

He specifically noted that classroom teachers, judges, public servants and other professionals must reflect on their individual responsibilities, adding that positive changes in societal attitudes were essential to national development.

Professor Tsauni further stressed that Nigeria’s current situation required collective reflection and a change in citizens’ approach to public responsibilities rather than continuous blame-shifting.

Earlier, the Technical Lead of the Non-Formal Development for Education and Health Initiative, Dr Auwal Halilu, called on Nigerians to demonstrate patriotism and contribute towards revitalising the country.

Dr Halilu said Nigeria was facing numerous challenges as the country approached the 2027 general elections, stressing the need for citizens to reflect on how to secure the country’s future through responsible participation in the electoral process.

He urged Nigerians to embrace positive values, transparency and accountability, noting that national development could only be achieved when citizens and leaders demonstrated genuine commitment to the country’s progress.

“We should take into consideration that we are going to revitalise this country. Every Nigerian should be patriotic. There are a lot of challenges in Nigeria as we approach the 2027 elections. How can we help to get the best in Nigeria? We should change our values for good and be transparent,” he said.

Dr Halilu also challenged Nigerians to consider how they could support leaders in addressing the country’s challenges, rather than leaving the responsibility of national development entirely to those in government.

He emphasised that rebuilding Nigeria required a collective commitment to good values, transparency and patriotism, particularly as the country prepares for another general election in 2027.

The gathering provided an opportunity for discussions on Nigeria’s economic and social challenges, the responsibilities of citizens and the need for collective action towards national development.

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Dala Chairman Marks Two Years In Office With Prayers For Peace,Leaders

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By Abdu Saidu

The Chairman of Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Hon. Suraj Ibrahim Imam, has marked his second anniversary in office with a special prayer session for peace, stability and good governance in Dala, Kano State and Nigeria at large.

The prayer session, held on Saturday at the local government secretariat, featured the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by about 60 Islamic scholars and Qur’anic memorizers drawn from different parts of the council area.

The participants offered prayers for divine guidance, wisdom and success for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, members of the National Assembly and the Kano State House of Assembly, as well as other political leaders.

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Speaking at the event, Imam said the prayer session was organised to express gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity to serve the people of Dala for two years and to seek His continued guidance and blessings for the council, the state and the country.

He added that the gathering was also an opportunity to pray for the success of Governor Yusuf and other political leaders in their future political engagements.

On his administration’s performance, the chairman disclosed that several development projects had been executed across the 12 wards of Dala Local Government Area within the past two years, with the support and approval of Governor Yusuf.

He commended the governor for his development initiatives across the state’s 44 local government areas, particularly in healthcare, education, security, road construction, potable water supply, agriculture and employment generation.

According to Imam, the interventions have contributed to improving the living conditions of residents and strengthening development at the grassroots.

He expressed confidence in the governor’s leadership and called on residents and political stakeholders to support his re-election in 2027. He also expressed support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates ahead of the next general elections.

The event was attended by Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim Al-Mustapha, OON, councillors, Islamic scholars, Qur’anic memorizers, political advisers, the local government secretary and other stakeholders from across Dala Local Government Area.

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NNPC Confirms Gas Supply & Network Availability

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NNPC Limited confirms that gas transportation network operated by its subsidiary, NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company Limited (NGIC), remains available to support deliveries to power generating stations Nationwide without any constraints. NGIC’s operational records do not indicate transportation-related constraints within its network that explain the current decline in electricity generation.

NNPC Limited is focussed on actualizing the Federal Government’s gas development and monetization agenda which has led to about 10% growth in gas production volumes 2026 year to date. Gas supply availability is therefore not a challenge as NNPC remains committed to supporting efforts to improve electricity generation through safe, reliable and efficient gas supply and transportation.

This clarification follows the Nigerian Independent System Operator’s (NISO) statement of 5 November 2026, which cited limited gas availability and reduced water inflows to hydroelectric stations as causes of lower generation. NNPC Limited’s clarification concerns the operational status of NGIC’s transportation network. Gas production, commercial supply arrangements and actual deliveries to individual power plants must be assessed separately from the availability of transportation infrastructure.

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A comprehensive assessment must also consider the availability and operational readiness of generating units, plant maintenance schedules and actual gas offtake. These factors determine whether gas supplied can be converted into electricity. They should be verified alongside gas supply data to establish the causes of the shortfall.

NNPC Limited supports a coordinated review of operational data by gas suppliers, transporters, power generators and NISO to identify specific constraints and guide effective interventions. Accurate reporting across the gas-to-power value chain is essential to resolving the challenges and sustaining public confidence.

Our focus remains on dependable energy infrastructure and constructive collaboration that helps translate Nigeria’s gas resources into more reliable electricity for Nigerians.

Andy Odeh
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
NNPC Limited
Abuja

6 November 2026

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