TheNewsGuru

Tag: Kano

  • REPORT: Excess drug abuse linked to unregistered patent medicine stores

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has attributed the high rate and rampant abuse of codeine syrup and other dangerous drugs in the country to the proliferation of unregistered patent medicine stores.

    Alhaji Hamza Umar, the Commandant of the agency in Kano State, disclosed this when fielded with questions on how to stem drug abuse, especially among youths and women.

    Umar spoke through the Principal Staff Officer in charge of Operations and Investigation of NDLEA in Kano.

    He noted that there are many unregistered patent medicine stores across the state, especially in areas where public healthcare facilities are lacking.

    Umar described the activities of such medicine stores in the state as risky to the society because, according to him, the agencies that are supposed to control them were not strengthened to enforce regulation.

    He said: “If the operation of patent medicine stores, especially those that are into the business of selling cough syrups illegally without prescription are not checked, the abuse of codeine syrup and other drugs will continue in the state.

    “Those patent medicine stores are supposed to be registered by the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria with the aim of serving the public when the need arises.’’

    The commandant regretted that majority of the users of the syrup are young men and women who are addicted to cough syrups, especially the codeine.

    Umar noted that “first time users of such syrups consume it out of curiosity, and there are those who use it occasionally while others are addicted because they are regular users’’.

    According to him, the syrups are of different brands and that the brand determined their prices.

    “There is Tutoline which is sold at N200, Bioline is sold at N1, 500, while Codeine and Parkline cost N1,200 and N700, respectively and the physiological effects are more on the brain, liver, heart, skin and other organs of the body”, according to reports.

    An ex-drug addict at Indabawa quarters in Kano Municipal, Malam Khalil Umar, explained that they purchase the illicit drugs from some chemists in Sabon Gari Market following the clamp down on the dealers by the authorities.

    “We use to get it from some stores here in town, but the people from NDLEA, Ministry of Health and other security agencies started raiding the shops following complaints from parents”.

    According to him, they use to buy the syrup at the cost of N200 per bottle depending on the quality of the product or the company that produced it and could buy on credit since they became familiar with the sellers.

    The commandant said the agency is making efforts to rid the state of drug abuse through the arrest of users, seizures of the illicit drugs from the dealers and their arrest.

    However, Umar acknowledged the support of the Kano State Government in fighting the menace, noting the setting up of a recent joint task force comprising all security agencies in the state who also provided logistics to the task force and providing vehicles to the state command of the NDLEA to support its efforts.

    He said part of the committee’s mandate was to go round the state with a view to arresting unregistered patent medicine store operators.

    “In addition, we counsel and rehabilitate the addicted ones and at the end we reintegrate them into the society and unite them with their families,” Umar said.

     

     

  • Kano people won’t welcome Buhari , If they were employed– Ali baba

    Ace comedian, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, popularly called Alibaba has expressed his opinion over the rousing welcome President Muhammadu Buhari got during his two-day working visit to Kano.

     

    Recall that Buhari arrived Kano on Wednesday amid glitz and glamour to commission some projects.

     

     

    Alibaba, took on his Instagram to express his thoughts on the President’s visit.

     

    He wrote: “If 80% of these people were gainfully employed they will not be on the road welcoming Buhari. And it’s not about PMB.

     

    “Because these are backlogs of unemployed and unemployable citizens for over 20 years and counting. These are the types that will cast votes for you for an exchange of a 5kg bag of rice.

     

    “Why? Because they are down to their last hope, I tell many people.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BcbxjL2gQeL/?taken-by=alibabagcfr

     

    “A citizen who gets good primary education will be triggered to get secondary education. At worst they will do better at Vocational schools. But once there is no foundational education, as basic as A is for Apple and 1+1=2 and all elementary teachings, the brain is locked out of the growth process; because that basic education is what all other things are built on.

     

    “Look at the pictures, you see popularity… I see thousands who can be used by anyone who has plans that will not benefit this country. Let’s begin to educate the child. The educated child will understand policies.

     

    “The educated child will become a good citizen. The educated child will grow up to contribute to Nigerian economy. What do I know Sef? Shebi I am just a comedian?”

     

     

    Alibaba promises $10m opportunity for African tech start-ups

  • Buhari frees 500 inmates in Kano

    President Muhammadu Buhari has pardoned 500 inmates in Kano and donated undisclosed cash to them to start businesses.

    The inmates including men and women were selected from the Kurmawa central prison, Kano.
    The gesture was part of the Buhari-led government’s effort to decongest prisons across the country.
    At the Emir’s palace, President Buhari told the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi that he had seen so many things in politics since he joined it in 2003.
    Buhari,who paid homage to the emir at his palace, said Nigerians must understand the difference between democratic and military administration.
    He said, “When I was the military head of state, I have arrested many people and jailed them for alleged coruption and in the end I also ended in jail.
    “Since I joined politics in 2003, I have contested for president three times but I could not get it right untill at the forth attempt in 20015. I was in court for 30 months challenging the 2007 election and in 2011, I also spent 16 months in court.
    He lamented that from 1999 to 2014, Nigeria has gotten so much wealth but unfortunately no one can tell where the money had gone.
    “They squandered the money and we still dont have constant power supply, no good education for our children and we don’t have good hospitals and roads.
    The president also told the emir that his relationship with Kano emirate council was cordial and would remain as such, saying “Kano emirate council has contributed alot to my life. Whatever I become in my life, I always consult Kano emirate council.”
    Turning to the issue of security, Buhari said, his goverment had played significant roles in restoring peace and harmony in the northeast.
    “We have recorded tremendous successes in our efforts to achieve the three agenda of my government; security, economy and fight against corruption.
    “Nigeria, Chad and Niger republic have succeeded in crushing Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast. The countries have come together to fight a common goal because without peace and stability we cannot achieve anything, he said.
    President Buhari said the north was important to the country, saying “if there is peace and stability in the north, there will be peace and stability in the whole country and if there is problem in the region it will affect the entire country.

  • Buhari arrives Kano, commissions ‘Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital’

    …describes his reception as overwhelming

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday arrived Kano amidst a thunderous welcome from the residents who had thronged out in their thousands to receive him.

    The president amongst other things commissioned a specialist hospital named after him by the Kano State Government and also released 500 inmates from Kurmawa Prison granted pardon by the Kano State Government.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the President is just making his first visit to the state since his election in 2015.

    The president who confessed that he wasn’t expecting such overwhelming welcome, however, said he wasn’t expecting anything less

    According to his Personal Assistant on New Media Engagement, Bashir Ahmad, Buhari said, “Though I haven’t expected anything less, I was overwhelmed by the reception I received from Kano people this morning (Wednesday).

     

    Details later…

  • KEDCO promise better services in Jigawa, Kano, Katsina

    The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has promised its customers in Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states improved services to boost commercial activities in the areas.

    The company’s Managing Director, Dr Jamilu Gwamna, made the promise at the first KEDCO Managing Director’s Award Night in Kano.

    He said the company was committed to improve its operations to ensure effective service delivery and at the same time distribute the energy to the satisfaction of its numerous customers in the three states.

    “We are committed more than ever before to improve our operation to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to our customers across our coverage areas,” he said.

    He said the company found it necessary to honour its dedicated, committed and hardworking staff, to boost their morale.

    “It came as a board’s decision to recognise dedicated, hardworking and committed staff as part of effort to encourage them to do more,” Gwamna said.

    The managing director, who commended the staff of the company for their individual contributions to its development and success, noted that this was the first time the company collected over N2 billion in one month as revenue.

    “We are here today to appreciate you and those who invested in the company will continue to give you the necessary support to move the it to the next level,” he said.

    It is reported that the awards, which were in four categories, were presented to deserving staff from the three states.

    The high-point of the event includes drama and comedy performance as well as cultural dance by the popular Kano State Cultural Troupe, known as Yan’Koroso.

  • No clash between Corps members and Soldiers in Kano– NYSC Coordinator

    No clash between Corps members and Soldiers in Kano– NYSC Coordinator

    Alhaji Ladan Baba, the Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano has debunked media reports that there was a clash between soldiers and some corps members in the orientation camp at Karaye Local Government Area of the state.

    A statement by Aliyu Ahmed,the NYSC public relations officer and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kano denied the report.

    According to the Coordinator, there was also no any clash between the military,Paramilitary and the corps members as reported.

    “The attention of the Management of the NYSC has been drawn to news reports of skirmishes between a group of Corps members and the Camp Commandant, Capt. Anyaegbunan during the ongoing 2017 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course at Karaye.

    “We wish to state for the records that the face-off started as a result of actions taken by a group of Corps members in solidarity with their colleagues who were being punished while loitering within the Camp Premises as social activity was going on.

    “The chanting of solidarity songs by the Corps members was an effort to get the erring Corps member released from the Camp Commandant which later ignited a rowdy session”, he said.

    The Coordinator added that the situation was immediately brought under control after he addressed the Corps members on the issue.

    “I promised to interface with the Camp Commandant to ensure that punishment and reward for Corps members are handled in line with the provision of the NYSC Bye law”.

    He reminded the Corps members of the need to adhere to the channel of communication in the Camp and assured them that NYSC Management would continue to implement policies and programmes that will enhance the welfare and security of Corps members in the Camp and during the service year.

    The Coordinator also drew the attention of all media organizations on the need to also adhere to their age-long tradition of balance and objectivity in news reporting.

    He further urged them to always verify their sources of news and to report objectively, saying normalcy has since returned to the Camp as all scheduled activities were on going without hindrance.

    The NYSC Coordinator also called on the public to always ignore such unbalanced reports so as to maintain the existing peace and unity among the corps members and the country at large.

  • Kano Govt proposes bill on compulsory HIV testing for new couples

    Kano Govt proposes bill on compulsory HIV testing for new couples

    The Kano State Government said on Friday that it had been working to propose a bill on compulsory HIV/AIDS testing for all new couples in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Kabiru Getso, disclosed this at a news conference to commemorate the World HIV/AIDS day in Kano.

    He said the Ganduje administration had taken health as a priority and was working tirelessly to ensure quality healthcare delivery services in the state.

    Mr. Getso explained that the state government, in collaboration with the state Hisbah Board, had proposed the bill, which was awaiting passage at the state house of assembly.

    According to him, “The state government had demonstrated concern about the care and control of HIV/AIDS by giving the scourge all the necessary attention it required’’.

    He stressed that the state government established the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA), in order to record the progress and achievements so far witnessed in the control of AIDS in the state.

    “The state has, however, approved the sum of over N443 million to carry out many interventions and outreach services, as well as to create awareness across the state,’’ Mr. Getso said.

    The Commissioner said the government would continue to support people living with HIV/AIDS and would continue to create awareness on the prevention of the disease.

    The World Health Organisation has declared every December 1 to be World HIV/AIDS Day, to give succour to people living with HIV/AIDS in the state.

    NAN

  • Ganduje orders Kano hospitals’ staff to sign anti-strike agreement

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has said prospective employees of Giginyu Specialist Hospital and Zoo Road Pediatric Hospital constructed by the state government, may have to sign a bond, forbidding them from going on incessant strikes.

    Ganduje gave the indication while inaugurating a 20 – man Advisory Committee on the operations of the hospitals, expected to be commissioned soon by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “It will not be business as usual. Anybody serving in the two hospitals must sign an agreement that he or she will not go on strike,” the governor emphasized.

    He stated that the move was part of strategy to ensure maintenance culture, stressing that “it will not be worthwhile for the government to spend so much money in constructing and equipping the hospitals only for their workers to embark on strikes at will.”

    “We will not create a situation where our facilities will be vandalized. Our facilities will not be routed to private hospitals, our facilities will not be destroyed,” he added.

    He pointed out that the two new hospitals were built mainly to reduce medical tourism by providing high quality health care services to people from across the country and beyond, hence, anything that would jeopardize the vision of constructing them would not be tolerated.

    On the Advisory Committee of the hospitals, Dr. Ganduje said it would among other things, examine the progress of constructing and equipping them and advice on timely completion as well as articulate a proposal on their operational guidelines.

    The chairman of the committee, Dr. Aminu Mgashi said it would do a methodical job within the four weeks time frame set for it by the government.

  • Patient suspected with Monkeypox disappears from Kano hospital

    A disease suspected to be Monkeypox has been detected in Kano State.

    The disease was recorded at a public hospital in Tiga town, Bebeji local government area of the state.

    “A health official who pleaded anonymity, said a patient from Nasarawar-Kuki village was diagnosed with the disease.” Daily Trust reports

    He added that the patient was quarantined at the hospital before he later ran away to an unknown destination.

    He said, “The man absconded from the hospital on Wednesday night and up till this moment that I am talking to you, we could not trace him.

    “Our concern is how to trace the man so that he won’t spread the disease to others. We have informed all the necessary authorities including traditional leaders so that they can help us in the search for this man.”

    When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, Kano State Ministry of Health, Malam Isma’ila Garba Gwammaja confirmed emergence of a disease, but said it was not certain whether it was monkeypox or not.

    He said, “The ministry was informed about the disease today (yesterday) and a team of health personnel have been deployed to the village to ascertain whether the disease is monkeypox or not.”

  • 11 children die of whooping cough in Kano

    The Kiru Local Government Council of Kano State says about 11 children have died of whooping cough at Kankwana village.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Information Officer of the local government council, Malam Rabiu Khalil.

    Khalil said about 40 other children affected by the same disease were receiving medical attention.

    Malam Hassan Adamu, the council’s Health Officer, who also confirmed the incidence to newsmen, however assured of government’s effort to contain the outbreak.

    Malam Yakubu Sani, a representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the area, attributed the outbreak to poor routine immunisation and inadequate health mobilisation activities.

    The District Head of the area, Alhaji Hamza Bayero, however, urged government to provide emergency medical care to residents to prevent further spread of the disease.