Kano Community Where No Girl Has Finished Secondary School in 300 Years

In Kano State, Nigeria, the Dan-Shayi community has not seen a girl complete secondary school in over 300 years due to lack of access and infrastructure. The state government has declared a state of emergency in education, aiming to address gender disparities. Despite efforts, including budget allocations and strategic plans, challenges persist in providing accessible education, especially for girls in rural areas. Stakeholders emphasize the need for gender-responsive policies and infrastructure improvements to bridge educational gaps. The article highlights the struggles faced by girls in accessing education and the ongoing efforts to improve the situation.

Persons With Disabilities Want PWD Unit in Hospitals, Lament ‘Second Class Treatment’

Persons with disabilities (PWD) in Nigeria face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to economic hardships and systemic barriers. The devaluation of the naira and removal of petrol subsidies have exacerbated these issues, leading to high inflation and increased healthcare costs. PWDs report feeling like second-class citizens, with inadequate support from government policies and healthcare systems. The article highlights personal stories of PWDs struggling with healthcare access, financial constraints, and societal stigma. Advocacy groups call for legislative action to establish PWD units in hospitals and improve healthcare accessibility. The federal government is urged to enforce disability laws and improve public infrastructure for PWDs.

Nigerians Switch from Orthodox to Traditional Medicines Amid Economic Hardship

Economic hardship in Nigeria has led to a significant shift from orthodox to traditional medicines as the cost of imported drugs has soared due to inflation and currency devaluation. Many Nigerians, facing financial constraints, are opting for more affordable traditional remedies despite potential health risks. The exit of major pharmaceutical companies like GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi has exacerbated the situation, leading to a drop in the availability of affordable medications. The Nigerian government is attempting to address these challenges by promoting local drug manufacturing and regulating the health sector. However, experts express concern over the unregulated use of traditional medicines and the potential health implications for patients.

Gender Barriers Threaten Maternity Services Across Northern Nigeria

Gender barriers are threatening maternity services across Northern Nigeria, where socio-cultural and religious factors prevent women from receiving medical care from male healthcare providers. This has led to inadequate female skilled birth attendants and a gender imbalance in the health sector. Incidents such as a man divorcing his wife for being attended by a male doctor during childbirth highlight the severity of the issue. The reluctance of men to allow male workers to treat their wives, even for simple tasks like checking blood pressure, has resulted in a concentration of female health workers in urban areas, leaving rural areas underserved. Efforts to address the imbalance include enrolling only female students in midwifery schools and introducing community midwifery programs. Despite these initiatives, the Maternal Mortality Ratio remains alarmingly high in the region, and the shortage of midwives is acute, with the UNFPA reporting that Nigeria needs 70,000 more midwives to tackle the deficit. The article also discusses the role of traditional birth attendants and the state governments' struggle to train female healthcare providers while balancing cultural and religious barriers.

Katsina Police Repel Terrorist Attack, Kill One

The Katsina Police Command successfully repelled a terrorist attack at Gago Village in Dutsinma Local Government Area. Approximately 40 terrorists attacked the village, rustling 50 cows. The police engaged in a gun battle, killing one terrorist while others fled with gunshot wounds. The police recovered the stolen cows and displayed the corpse of the terrorist.

Mob Lynch Suspect Over Alleged Beheading Of 6-Year-Old Boy In Kano

A 25-year-old man named Abdullahi, accused of beheading a six-year-old boy, Mohammed Nabiyu, was lynched by a mob in Kanwa village, Kano State. The suspect, who had previously worked for the victim's family, allegedly committed the crime during a visit to the village. The village head, Umar Maitama Yusuf, reported that the mob overpowered the police and vigilante group to carry out the lynching. The victim's body was confirmed dead and prepared for burial according to Islamic rites, while the suspect's body was taken to a hospital mortuary for further investigation.

24-hour Curfew Over in Kano

Residents of Kano State can resume normal activities as the 24-hour curfew imposed on Wednesday has been lifted. The curfew followed the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal's ruling that declared All Progressives Congress candidate Nasir Yusuf Gawuna as the winner of the 18 March election, overturning Governor Abba Yusuf's victory. Governor Yusuf plans to appeal the ruling within the stipulated 14 days.

Governor Yusuf to Appeal Kano Tribunal Ruling

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State plans to appeal the tribunal ruling that directed INEC to withdraw his Certificate of Return, citing the judgment as faulty. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) rejected the verdict, calling it a miscarriage of justice, while the APC praised the ruling and expressed readiness for the appeal. The tribunal found that INEC erroneously added 165,663 votes to Governor Yusuf's tally, which were invalidated due to unstamped and unsigned ballot papers.

559 Jigawa Pilgrims Survive Max Air Emergency Landing at Kano Airport

About 559 Hajj pilgrims from Jigawa State narrowly avoided a disaster when their Max Air plane, en route to Saudi Arabia, made an emergency landing at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport after being struck by lightning. The Boeing 747, carrying 559 passengers and 21 crew members, is currently grounded at the Kano airport. Max Air's Kano Manager, Bello Ramadan, confirmed the incident and stated that passengers would be transferred to another aircraft. This follows a previous incident in May when another Max Air plane lost tires while landing in Abuja.

IPMAN Warns Against Looming Petrol Scarcity

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) warns of an impending fuel scarcity due to unpaid bridging claims totaling N500 billion. IPMAN's chairman, Alhaji Bashir Danmalam, urges the federal government to ensure the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) pays these claims to avert the crisis.