The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Freedom Radio Chapter, has extended its deepest condolences to the management, staff, and the entire family of Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dalhatu, who passed away on January 3, 2025, in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dalhatu was a visionary leader whose dedication and commitment significantly contributed to the growth and success of the Freedom Radio Group. His unwavering support and guidance have left an indelible mark on the organization and the broadcasting industry at large.

In a statement signed by Muhammad Lawan Garba, Chairman of RATTAWU Freedom Radio Chapel, the union expressed profound sorrow over the loss of their esteemed father and director. “Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un. On behalf of RATTAWU, Freedom Radio Chapter, we extend our deepest condolences to the management, staff, and the entire family of Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dalhatu,” the statement read.

The union prayed for Allah (SWT) to forgive Alhaji Dalhatu’s shortcomings, grant him Jannatul-Firdaus, and provide his family and loved ones with the strength and patience to bear this great loss. “May the Almighty expand his grave and illuminate it with His blessings,” the statement added.

During this difficult time, RATTAWU stands in solidarity with the entire Freedom Radio family and the relatives of Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dalhatu. The union emphasized the importance of continuing the legacy left behind by the late director. “May Allah’s mercy and blessings be upon him, and may He grant us all the fortitude to continue the legacy he has left behind,” the statement concluded.

Alhaji Shehu Muhammad Dalhatu’s passing is a significant loss to the broadcasting community, and his contributions will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of working with him.

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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.

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

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has assured government readiness to compensate owners of properties affected by the muli-billion naira Overpass project under construction at Tal’udu area of the metropolitis.

In the alternative, Governor Yusuf also disclosed plans to allocate new layout to the residents who are affected by the construction free of cost and out the compensation money that would be given to them.

Governor Yusuf gave the assurance during a meeting with stakeholders and leadership of Tal’udu communities at the Government house in Kano.

A statement by Spokesperson of the Governor, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, said Governor Yusuf had invited the stakeholder for a dialogue over their claims and development interest of the state.
” All of you would be reasonably compensated in cash through your designated bank accounts, we will also agree with you on the time frame for you to move out of the project site and ww would also give plots free of charge as many of you may want to build another houses”

According to the statement, Governor Yusuf explained his administration’s Urban renewal drive to meet global standard of a mega city. He stressed
plan to set an infrastructure performance bar at high level to meet the status of most populous city in Nigeria.

The Governor recalled the multi-layer critical infrastructural project at Tal’udu along side the Underpass Bridge at Kofar Dan’Agundi, both in Municipal and Gwale local government areas were flag off in 2024 to enhance free flow of vehicular movements.

Besides, the Governor posited that capital project costing about N30 billion were intended to achieve multiple purposes of urban beautification, decongestion of traffic and urban renewal.

Earlier, Chairman of the Community Association, Alhaji Abba Aminu Imam expressed delight over government acceleration of development as spread across the state.

The leader of the community however appealed to government to facilitate the settlement plan of members of the community whose properties were affected by the ongoing construction.

Meanwhile, Government has constituted an adhoc committee to revisit the ongoing settlement and compensation plan for the Tal’udu community.