Kano Govt, N.I/FAcE-PaM Collaborate on Staff Capacity Building

By Farouk Isa Musa 

Kano State Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency, through the Ministry of Health, has organized a 2-day workshop titled Dissemination Meeting on DRF Pricing Survey, which was held on 20th and 21st November 2024.

Speaking on the objectives of the meeting, Pharmacist Tukur Ibrahim revealed that the workshop seeks to compare the prices of DRF (Drug Revolving Fund) commodities at public health facilities and that of private outlets, as contained in a press statement issued by Farouk Isa Musa, Public Relations Officer of the DMCSA

Supported by the Global Affairs Canada Nutrition International and its funded "Forward in Action for Education, Poverty, and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM)" project, the meeting also tries to validate the affordability component of the DRF drugs and medical supplies, and lastly, to verify the availability of drugs and medical supplies at public health facilities.

Earlier speaking, the Chairman of the session and Director Pharmaceutical Services at State Ministry of Health Pharm. Kamilu Mudi Salisu said the ministry is organizing such kind of capacity-building workshops in order to broaden the staff's knowledge and expand their expertise, with the sole purpose of sustaining of well-trained health professionals who will take over the mantle of leadership of the health sector across the state in the near future.

He further expressed the Kano State government's gratitude to development partners who always work hand-in-hand with the government for the improvement of health sector.

In their separate remarks, the acting Executive Director of FAcE-PaM Ms Dabis Mwalike,  and the State Coordinator for Nutrition International Mrs. Victoria Aguomo assured the Kano state government of full support  and cooperation of their organizations.

The facilitators at the session include Pharm. Tukur Ibrahim, Bello Muhammad Dandago, and Nura Yahaya.

WDR: FRSC urges road users to embrace safe driving practices

 By Olufunmi

The Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) has call on all stakeholders, road users to embrace safe driving practices, avoid dangerous driving behaviours.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a week-long event commemorated November each year.

The State FRSC Sector Commander,

Umar Matazu disclosed this in a statement issued by the Command Public Relations Officer, (PRO) Abdullahi Labaran on Monday in Kano.

He said this year’s theme is titled: “Remember, Support, and Act,”.

According to him, “the importance of collective efforts is to address impacts of road traffic crashes while promoting road safety.

“Together we will support and act for a safer road environment”,he said.

Kano Organizes Workshop to Review Drug Management Law

By Farouk Isa Musa 

To restrengthen the healthcare delivery, the Kano State government, through the Ministry of Health, has organized a 3-day workshop to review the law that established the Drug and Medical Consumables Supply Agency (DMCSA).

Delivering an opening remarks at the workshop, which took place from 16 to 18 November 2024 in Kaduna, the Commissioner Ministry of Health Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Pharm. Aminu Bashir expressed the determination of the state government to make policies that will enhance the health sector.

Revisiting the history of the DMCSA, the Commissioner pointed out that an attempt was previously made to review the law, but the attempt was unsuccessful, stressing that Kano has been seen as a role model by many states across the country, especially in the health sector.

He then gave his assurance that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure the law under review has scaled through, hoping that the law, when reviewed, will bring in the desired changes in the ever-changing supply chain management.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman House Committee on Health and member representing Kura/ Garun Malam Hon Zakariyya Alasan Ishaq assured the participants, on behalf of the Speaker, of a speedy consideration of the DMCSA Law review, adding that the members of the Committee and the State House of Assembly in general are always ready to accent any legislation that will move the state forward.

On his part, the Director General Drugs and Medical Consumables Supply Agency Pharm. Gali Sule spoke on the importance of the workshop, saying the main objective of the conference is to renew the DMCSA legal framework in order to align with the current global trend of manufacturing, procument, warehousing, and distribution of health commodities in the state.

The participants of the workshop, which was supported by the UK Government's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO-Lafiya program, include heads of agencies under the Ministry of Health, relevant stakeholders drawn from different government ministries departments and agencies (MDAs), private consultants, the academia, and legal luminaries.

Meanwhile, the members of the Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Health who attended the conference were Hon. Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), who represented Hon. Usman Abubakar Tasiu (Kiru) the committee's Vice Chairman, Hon. Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Hon. Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa) the Majority Whip, and Hon. Kabiru Dahiru Sule (Tarauni).

Kano Inaugurates Committee on Transtport Policy

By Farouk Musa Isa 

Kano state government ha, on Friday, inaugurated a technical committee that will review the transport sector and develop a full transport policy that will help in regulating of transportation activities.

Inaugurating the committee, the state Commissioner of Transport Engr. Muhammad Diggol, said the committee is constituted with sole purpose of improving transportation system as in line with global practice.

A press statement issued by Ibrahim Adamu Kofar-Nassarawa, Public Relations Officer of the ministry quoted the Commissioner sadding that the 30 members of the committee, drawn from different organizationms, are tasked to conduct general review of transport policy plans and factor in other options where applicable based on the state percuarities.

Diggol further revealed that the committee expected to develop best possible options transtport policy accepted by the policy is expanded to identify missing gaps provision of affective and reliable public transportation.

Moreover, the Commissioner stressed that the technical committee is expected to submit it's completed policy green paper on or before in the 18th November, the transportation system access the state.

On his part the state Commissioner of Environment and Climate change Alhaji Nasuru Sule Garo who spoke on the significant of constituting the technical committee called for the review of Kano State master plan in developing the transportation policy development of the state.

In his remarks, Professor Ibrahim Barde, from Bayero University, Kano said the transportation policy when Implemented will go along way in enhencing the economic growth of Kano state being he commercial nerve centre of the north. 

The Technical Adviser on Transtport Policy and Planning, Dr.Nura Ibrahim Hassan, who prensented a paper at the event, applauded the foresight of the State government in revitalizing the transportation systems which described as a well come development.

Professor Afolabi Falola from Department of Geography and Chairman of the Committee said the transtport sector is one of the key area that government should give adequate attention in order to move the state forward, urging the state government to strive hard to achieve the set goals in this direction.

Committee of Experts Begins Registration of Foreigners

By Farouk Musa Isa 

The Kano State Committee of Experts on Expatriates has officially launched a comprehensive verification and registration exercise targeting all expatriates and their businesses operating within the state. The initiative is designed to sanitize and secure the business environment, ensuring that expatriates meet the necessary regulations and standards in Kano State.

According to a press statement issued by media officer of the committee Musbahu Aminu on Saturday, the committee has noted strong cooperation from the expatriate community at Kantin Kwari Market, many of whom have already complied with the verification process. The committee extends its gratitude to these individuals and businesses for their proactive compliance and emphasizes that their cooperation is essential to maintaining a safe, orderly, and business-friendly environment in Kano State.

The committee praised the compliance shown and encouraged all expatriates who have yet to participate to prioritize their registration promptly, because the exercise is crucial for the state’s security and for safeguarding the legitimate business interests of both expatriates and the local community ensuring that Kano remains a welcoming place for all law-abiding businesses to thrive,

The verification and registration exercise is part of the government’s broader commitment to transparency, business integrity, and economic stability. Through this process, the committee aims to gather accurate data on expatriate businesses, identify any regulatory gaps, and enhance coordination between the government and the expatriate community.

The committee urges all expatriates and their business representatives to cooperate fully with the verification teams and comply with the stipulated guidelines. The registration and verification exercise will cover key areas, including but not limited to, registration documents, permits, and compliance with local laws.

In the coming weeks, the committee will continue engaging with expatriates across Kano State, offering guidance to ensure a smooth registration process.

The present administration of governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is committed to fostering an inclusive, secure, and prosperous environment for all. By cooperating with this exercise, expatriates contribute to a well-regulated and thriving business ecosystem that benefits everyone in Kano.