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.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has hinted at possible measures against South African companies operating in Nigeria, including telecommunications giant MTN, as outrage grows over the continued harassment and attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Thursday, while addressing concerns over the worsening anti-migrant attacks in South Africa and the evacuation of Nigerians from the country.

The minister said Nigeria had exercised restraint and continued to pursue diplomatic engagements but warned that the government might be compelled to explore other options if the attacks persist.

“As I indicated before, there are these huge conglomerates. By the way, there are over 120 South African companies operating in Nigeria.

“Nobody is asking them to provide proof of identity. Nobody is asking South African staff working there whether they are South Africans or Nigerians, and nobody is taking over their shops or businesses.

“But this is happening to Nigerians in South Africa. So, I think that at some point, we really have to review the options available to us.

“We have MTN, MultiChoice, Stanbic, Protea and many other South African brands spanning multiple sectors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.

The minister, however, stressed that any retaliatory measures would have to follow constitutional provisions and due legislative process.

She explained that the Federal Government was currently engaging South African authorities through diplomatic channels, while the National Assembly would play a constitutional role in determining Nigeria’s response should those efforts fail.

The minister also disclosed that the South African authorities discarded their memorandum of understanding with Nigeria on early warning mechanism which they had signed in October 2025.

She added that the pact was essentially to protect the lives and property of both Nigerians and South Africans in times of conflict like this.

“When it comes to situations like this, of course, it is necessary to be temperate and exercise caution. But when your citizens are being harassed, when your citizens are people who have spent years there, and mind you, some of them are married to South Africans and have children who have known no other home but South Africa, then it becomes a serious concern.

“Now, under these circumstances, they are asking not just Nigerians, but also their South African spouses and their children, to leave South Africa,” the minister said.

Recall that in May, th esenator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, called for the revocation of licences of South African companies operating in Nigeria, including MTN and MultiChoice, owners of DSTV, following renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

The National Assembly also condemned the attacks, urging the federal government to take immediate diplomatic and protective measures to safeguard Nigerian citizens abroad.

Members, stakeholders and supporters of the Accord Party in Kano State have welcomed the recent intervention of the Court of Appeal in Abuja over the attempted deregistration of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing the decision as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

The position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting of Accord Party members and supporters of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim held on Saturday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat Conference Hall in Kano, according to the statement signed by the party’s Women Leader, Ambassador Aisha Ibrahim Ya’u, and North West Coordinator, Bashir Muhammad Goje Alade.

According to the communiqué, representatives from all 44 local government areas of Kano State attended the meeting to deliberate on recent judicial developments surrounding the Federal High Court judgment that ordered the deregistration of five political parties, including the Accord Party.

The gathering commended the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja for granting a stay of execution of the Federal High Court judgment, stating that the appellate court’s action demonstrated a commitment to justice, due process and constitutional governance, according to the communiqué.

The party members expressed confidence in the Nigerian judiciary, describing it as a critical institution for safeguarding democracy and protecting citizens’ rights, the statement said. They noted that the Court of Appeal’s intervention had strengthened public trust in the judicial process and reaffirmed the importance of respecting established legal procedures.

The meeting also reassured party members and supporters that the Accord Party remains a legally recognised political party pending the final determination of the matter before the courts, according to the communiqué. Participants stressed that all structures, organs and activities of the party remain valid and operational across the country.

In addition, attendees emphasised the importance of political pluralism in sustaining democratic governance, arguing that citizens should continue to enjoy a wide range of political choices, the statement noted. The meeting pledged support for all lawful efforts aimed at preserving multiparty democracy and promoting inclusive political participation.

The stakeholders commended Accord Party members across Kano State and other parts of the country for remaining calm and committed despite the uncertainty generated by the legal dispute, according to the communiqué. They praised supporters for demonstrating maturity and dedication to democratic ideals during the period.

The meeting further reaffirmed its support for Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, describing him as a leader committed to national unity, prosperity and democratic development, the statement said. Participants urged party supporters to remain peaceful and focused on advancing the programmes and objectives of the party.

The stakeholders also called on political actors, institutions and other interested parties to respect ongoing judicial proceedings and avoid comments or actions that could interfere with the legal process, according to the communiqué.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the leadership of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, citing his efforts to strengthen the Accord Party’s structures and presence across wards, local government areas and communities in Kano State and throughout Nigeria, the statement added.

The communiqué was jointly signed by Ambassador Aisha Ibrahim Ya’u, Women Leader, and Bashir Muhammad Goje Alade, North West Coordinator of the Accord Party support group.