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Health

Kebbi Govt commits to boost healthcare services

Kebbi Govt commits to boost healthcare services

By Shuaibu Tatu
Healthcare
Birnin Kebbi, Oct. 23, 2019 (NAN) The Kebbi State Government has renewed its commitment to reposition primary healthcare system by providing all essential resources for the sector in the state.
The Permanent Secretary of state Ministry of Health, Hajiya Halima Dikko, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
Dikko said that provision of essential resources which would improve quality healthcare services in the state.
“This government is committed and has the power to make primary healthcare functional and more effective.
“Gov. Abubakar Bagudu recently provided infrastructural upgrade and rehabilitation as well as upgrade to college status of Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birnin Kebbi, and the School of Health Technology, Jega,’’ she said.
She said the present administration was also committed to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by implementing the strategic health policies of the Federal Government.
The permanent secretary said that the Kebbi State Contributory Health Scheme (KECHEMA), primary health care under one roof policy, and the accessing and utilisation of SOMP for R and of recent the government commitment towards accessing the basic healthcare provision fund were confirmation of its commitments.
She added that the recorded successes of this administration since inception were too numerous to mention especially in the health sector.
Dikko, however, said it was good for the state that the governor had taken bold steps to improve quality of health services in the state.
NAN also reports that more than 20 healthcare facilities across the state have been renovated out of the 225 PHC centres in collaboration with UNICEF. (NAN)
SZT/COO/MST
Edited by Cecilia Odey/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Defence/Security

Police arrest 6 vigilantes over alleged killing of suspected kidnappers in Kebbi

Police arrest 6 vigilantes over alleged killing of suspected kidnappers in Kebbi
By Shuaibu Tatu
Arrest
Birnin Kebbi, Aug. 20, 2019 (NAN) The Police in Kebbi State has arrested six vigilante members for allegedly killing suspected kidnappers.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Garba Danjuma, disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
Danjuma said vigilante groups from Kanji village, Mahuta district, Fakai Local Government Area of the state, arrested two men – Muhammad Dankarami and Muhammadu Buda of Maidangwami village, alleged to be kidnappers.
He said the alleged suspects were not given opportunity to explain themselves but were killed by the vigilantes and their bodies subsequently set ablaze.
According to him, the suspected vigilantes were arrested and had owned up to the alleged crime.
Danjuma said: “You will agree with me it is an-extra judicial killing and inhuman on the part of the suspects. Such an act is condemnable and can’t be tolerated in the country.”
He however appealed to the members of the public to see fighting crime as a collective responsibility, adding “we should continue to partner to maintain our status as the safest state in Nigeria”. (NAN)
SZT/AO/MST
Edited by Angela Okisor/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Gov. Bagudu donates N16m to fire victims

Gov. Bagudu donates N16m to fire victims
By Shuaibu Tatu
Donation
Birnin Kebbi, Aug. 14, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi has donated NI6 million to three families who lost their lives in a fire outbreak in the state.
The Chairman of Board of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Sani Dododo, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.
Dododo listed the beneficiaries as the families of Alhaji Mallami Abdulkadir who lost five children in the fire outbreak; Walida Nasiru and Abdul-Samed Nadir who received N10 million each from the State Government.
He added that the family of late Alhaji Farouk Umar and his wife who lost their lives in the fire incident received N5 million while Malam Danjuma Danganwo got N1 million.
The board chairman said that the assistance was part of the state government’s commitment to the victims to cushion the lost of their loved ones, but not compensation for the lives lost. (NAN)
SZT/NNO/MST
Edited by Nick Nicholas/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Environment

Farmers commendsFG’s Irrigation system in Kebbi LGA

Farmers commends FG’s Irrigation system in Kebbi LGA

Farmers
By Tosin Kolade

Bagudo, (Kebbi), May 29, 2019 (NAN) A cross section of farmers in Kebbi State on Wednesday commended the efforts of the Federal Government for the completion and installation of the Centre for Pivot Irrigation System that would boost agriculture yield in the  state.

They spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources’ visit to project sites in preparatory to the handing over of the project to the river basins.

According to them, these efforts will go a long way to reduce the several hours spent in search of water to sustainable farming and improve productivity for food security.

Aliyu Takalafiya, a farmer in Gante Community, Bagudo Local Government Area, noted that prior to installation of the  pivot irrigation system, dry season farming was non-existent, and that the availability of water through drip irrigation was difficult and time consuming.

Takalafia said that prior belief that rice farming could not survive in sprinkler irrigation system, however with the available variety of upland rice, usually shallow-rooted, it would bring high yield with the centre pivot irrigation system.

The farmer said the intervention had brought employment creation with more persons involved in agricultural development, adding that the community members have become self-reliant.

“We plant guinea corn, millet, maize , but with this irrigation in place, rice cultivation would be further improved,” he said.

Musa Maigante, another farmer said that the intervention would assist in transitioning from subsistence to commercial, saying that the private sector stakeholders were vital to attaining Federal Government’s efforts at food security.

He identified poor quality inputs and low technology adoption among farmers as hindering rice production in the country.

Maigante added that it would encourage the youths to take to farming and also expose them to mechanised farming.

He said the present administration had successfully revived the agricultural sector, noting that through the introduction of the irrigation system, poverty would be reduced and promote sustainable jobs and economic development.

Earlier, the team which visited the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara, expressed hope that with commitment and trained manpower, agricultural transformation and sustainability plans would be achieved.

The Programme Manager of the scheme, Alhaji Abubakar DanGaladima, noted that the project would be functional and effective, saying that the river basin authority would train its staff on operation and maintenance for efficiency.

“We have farmers, we have the land, our farmers are ready. they want to use irrigation system in farming, the project is new to them, I believe with time, they will get use to it.

” There are particular crops like rice that would be cultivated here, it needs flood water always and this system provides moisture to that effect, ” he said.

He commended the personnel that have shown commitment and zeal to take up this project towards agricultural transformation and food security. (NAN)

TAK/JIE
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Politics

Polls: Gov. Bagudu sweeps Kebbi units

Polls: Gov. Bagudu sweeps Kebbi units
By Shuaibu Tatu
Results
Birnin Kebbi, March 9, 2019 (NAN) Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State is sweeping polling units across the state in Saturday’s governorship and legislative elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this followed the announcement of some results by the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC).
The Presiding Officer(PO), Mrs Udeflegwu Jenifer, announced that Bagudu of All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 441 votes while Alhaji Isa Galaudu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 17 votes at Majema Gishehu Gaga polling unit 007.
In the State House of Assembly election, Alhaji Umaru Amburusa of APC scored 425 votes while Alhaji Abbas Junju of PDP got 17.
At the Sarkin Karma polling unit 001, the PO, Mr Maradesa Edward, announced that Bagudu of APC scored 540, while Galaudu of PDP scored 12 votes.
While PDP scored 16 votes the APC netted 523 votes in the state House of Assembly election at the same unit.
The PO of Garkannatsafe polling unit 005, Mr Joanna Okunola, announced that the APC governorship candidate scored 456 votes, while PDP got 64 votes.
In the legislative election at the unit, APC scored 380 votes while the PDP polled 134 votes.
The PO of Momoon Nassarawa polling unit 1(004), Mrs Vivian Onukwufor, announced that the APC governorship candidate scored 541 votes while PDP netted 106 votes.
Also in the legislative election, the APC scored 339 votes while PDP got 288 votes at the same unit.
The PO of Sarkin Zabarwa polling (006), Omohwovo Ese, announced that Bagudu scored 507 votes while PDP polled 92 votes.
Similarly at the same unit, the APC scored 471 votes while PDP got 124 votes in the state House of Assembly election.
The PO of Garkat Sarkin Fawa polling unit 010, Ms Bumi Baba, announced that the governorship candidate of APC scored 394 votes while PDP polled 89 votes.
In the state legislative election, the APC scored 326 votes while PDP polled 144 votes at the polling unit.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other polling units are still collating their results across the state. (NAN)
SZT/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

General news

Gov. Bagudu approves N2.7bn for gratuity to state, local govt retirees

Gov. Bagudu approves N2.7bn for gratuity to state, local govt retirees
By Shuaibu Tatu
Pensioners
Birnin Kebbi, Nov. 13, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has approved N2.7 billion for payments of outstanding gratuity and death benefits of deceased retired civil servants in the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Finance, Dr Usman Dakingari, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi.
Dakingari said the second batch of payment of retirees, which is 100 per cent, would cover up to January 2017.
“The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Abubakar Bagudu, has approved N2.7 billion for payments of outstanding gratuity and death benefits of deceased retired civil servants for state, local government and primary teachers across the state,’’ it said.
According to the statement, 2,005 persons would benefit from this payment and the ministry has assured that all retirees, including local government and primary school teachers across the state, will be paid their benefits immediately.
Reacting to the development in an interview with NAN on Tuesday, the Leader of the pensioners in the state, Alhaji Babangida Gwandu, commended the state government for the approval and release of the fund for the payment of retirees.
He however called for redress of the anomalies in the payment of retired civil servants between 2012 and 2013.
Gwandu said: “It is a very good attempt. Now we are talking that the state government has started doing good thing now.
“Glory be to God that the governor is doing good thing. We are still appealing that as His Excellency consider the gratuity of 2015 to 2017 pensioners.
“He still has to consider, correct and approve the payment of gratuity and pension arrears of those who retired in 2012 and 2013.
“If he does that, we shall be grateful to him. Until then, we will not stop; we will continue begging, pleading to the government.’’ (NAN)
SZT/FF/MST
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

EU urges Kebbi Govt. to increase health, education funding

EU urges Kebbi Govt. to increase health, education funding
By Tatu Shuaibu
Budget
Birnin Kebbi, July 24, 2018 (NAN) The EU has urged the Kebbi State Government to increase budget allocation to the health and education sectors to improve women and child health as well as reduce maternal mortality.
The Head of EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Kurt Cornelius, made this appeal on Tuesday at an interactive session with the state government on health sectors in Birnin Kebbi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the session was aimed at assessing the performance of the government intervention in the health and education sectors in the state.
Kurt was on the assessment tour alongside other donor agencies such as WHO, UNICEF and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).
“I commend the effort of the Kebbi State Government for utilising the intervention money given to them by the EU and urge them to do more by improving on their commitment towards achieving the goals,” he said.
The representative of WHO, Dr Andrew Mbewe, said the team was in the state to assess the implementation of the funds released to them.
He also explained that WHO has being assisting the state in the areas of malaria, nutrition, polio and other related health cases, adding that this has produced positive results.
The Chief of Health of UNICEF, Dr Sanjana Bhardwaj, also commended the state government for proper use of funds given to them on health sectors.
He added that UNICEF would continue to partner with the state as they have achieved a lot in the healthcare system.
The representative of NPHCDA, Dr Nneka Onwu, also assured the state government of the Federal Government and EU support on health and other institutions in the state.
“The only challenge I saw was the lack of staff which is one of the key factors on health service delivery,” she said.
Responding, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, lauded the EU and other donor agencies for their support.
He assured them of more commitments on the health and education sectors in the state. (NAN)
SZT/IS/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Child mortality: UNICEF rates Kebbi high

Child mortality: UNICEF rates Kebbi high
By Shuaibu Tatu
Deaths
Birinin Kebbi, April 26, 2018 (NAN) The United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says Kebbi is among the top 10 states with highest number of under five-year-old children annual mortality rate in Nigeria.

The international agency, led by its Chief of Health, Abuja, Dr Sanjana Bhardwaj, said this during a visit to Gov. Abubakar Bagudu at Government House on Thursday in Birnin Kebbi.

Bhardwaj, who lamented that Nigeria records over one million of under five child deaths, noted that the data indicated that “Kebbi State continues re-occurring among five top states with highest child death rate in Nigeria”.

She informed Bagudu that “there is need to do more on other sectors like good roads, agriculture, infrastructure facilities and education if all efforts on health sector is to yield good results”.

The UNICEF team leader explained that they were in the state to brainstorm on how to rescue the state from the child death rate, stressing that “we are hoping within 90 days, there could be changes on the database “.

Responding, Bagudu assured the team that the state was ready to collaborate with UNICEF on the mission in the state. (NAN)
SZT/AAB/MST
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

American NGO, Kebbi Govt conduct 600 free surgeries

American NGO, Kebbi Govt conducts 600 free surgeries
NAN-H-5
Treatment
By Shuaibu Tatu
Kargo (Kebbi State), Nov. 1, 2017 (NAN) Moses-Lake Foundation of U.S. in conjunction with the Kebbi State Government have conducted free surgeries for over 600 patients in an on-going free medical outreach in the state.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday at the Kargo Specialist Hospital, the state Director, Medical Services, Dr Aminu Bunza, said the medical outreach was in furtherance of the administration’s resolve to provide quality healthcare.
Bunza explained that the outreach was in collaboration with medical personnel from the USA and different teaching hospitals in the country.
“The state has made a lot of impact as the outreach entered its second week at the Specialist Hospital, Kargo, and 600 patients with surgical cases have been attended to,” he said.
According to the director, more than 160 medical doctors are attending to patients in the six theatres in the hospital while 600 patients are treated of various ailments.
Bunza said that the medical team comprised of specialists in every sphere of healthcare attending to all manner of ailments.
He further said that drugs were also provided and administered free off charge to patients and implored people of the state with different ailments to avail themselves of the opportunity.
According to him, the exercise will last for three weeks and patients whose cases were not terminated will be referred to conventional hospitals for follow up.
He commended the people of the state who voluntarily donated blood and other essential materials to the hospital.
He noted that more than 50 pints of blood had been donated by individuals for onward transfusion to patients that needed blood.
The News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) reports that no fewer than 2,000 people benefitted from the free medical outreach as at the early hours of Wednesday. (NAN)
SZT/AOS/MST
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

USAID distributes 2.5m mosquito nets in Kebbi

USAID distributes 2.5m mosquito nets in Kebbi
NAN-HG-2
Nets
By Shuaibu Tatu
Birinin Kebbi, Oct. 26, 2017 (NAN) The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government has distributed 2.5 million treated mosquito nets in the 21 local government areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, disclosed this while inaugurating a committee for the distribution of mosquito nets in Birinin Kebbi on Thursday.
Kambaza noted that USAID was primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and eradication of communicable diseases in third world countries.
He added that the state government has introduced a programme for the total eradication of malaria in the state and commended USAID for its assistance to the welfare of the people.
The commissioner said that members of the mosquito distribution committee were drawn from ministries, agencies, departments, media outfits, NURTW, traditional institutions and religious leaders as well as security operatives.
He said the members were selected based on merit and dedication to offer service to humanity.

“I challenge you to work hard to ensure justification of the confidence reposed in you,” he said.
The Director of Public Health, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan, had earlier expressed readiness of the state towards the success of the programme.
Alhassan assured that all households would receive two long lasting insecticide mosquito nets in all the 21 local government areas of the state.
He called on stakeholders, especially security operatives, to assist towards ensuring the success of the campaign. (NAN)
SZT/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola