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Kano Govt, UNICEF to open new office for 3 states

Kano Govt, UNICEF to open new office for 3 states
By Tukur Muntari
Office
Kano, Nov. 22, 2018 (NAN) The Kano State Government and UNICEF have agreed to establish a new office to serve Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States to focus on addressing children issues.
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje confirmed this when UNICEF officials led by its Country Representative, Mr Mohammed Fall, paid him a courtesy visit in Kano on Thursday.
He said the state government started processing the new UNICEF field office since August 2018, by proposing Magwan Water Restaurant, which was inspected by a team of professionals and fully endorsed by UNICEF.
Ganduje, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, said Kano was one of the most peace loving states that has been accommodating development partners and other officials from all over the world.
“For Kano state, it is very clear and considering that Kano is a very peaceful state and His Excellency is doing very well in terms of security and peace of the people of Kano state, that is why we are happy to welcome UNICEF to Kano state.
“I want to on behalf of His Excellency, inform you that he has approved for a befitting facility to serve as the new UNICEF office in Kano in a choice and prime area and one of the most secured places we have in the state,” he said.
He expressed the readiness of the present administration to continue to collaborate with UNICEF and other development partners towards addressing issues that affect the wellbeing of children and women.
“I want to assure you that this administration will do its possible best to fulfil all the requirements needed to ensure effective commencement of the UNICEF office and smooth collaboration with Kano state.
“By the time you move your office to Kano, you will be very conversant with people of Kano and on our part we are going to make sure that you stay very comfortably here in Kano,” he added.
Fall had earlier said they were at the Government House to discuss and officially inform the state authority on the move by the UNICEF to open a field office in Kano.
He noted that their physical presence in Kano would help in boosting their programmes to other parts of the country.
“UNICEF is focusing more on result. Result is linked to numbers and you know Kano is one of the densely populated states in the country, therefore, if one succeeds in Kano, you will be able to reach a large number of children even beyond the population in the state.
“Some of the deprivations affecting children whether it is difficulty to access health, nutrition, sanitation and education services and all issues related to child protection, they all happen at a very large scale in mega cities or urban areas that we must work together to alleviate the sufferings of children,” said the country representative.
He expressed optimism that Kano state would provide all the enabling environment and support to help in reaching out to a very large number of children in need of UNICEF’s support the most.
The official further thanked the Ganduje administration for all the support and cooperation it has been according UNICEF towards the success of its interventions and support programmes in the state. (NAN)
MTM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Akoh begs IG-P to unseal Peace Corps office

Akoh begs IG-P to unseal Peace Corps office
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Appeal
Abuja, June 13, 2018 (NAN) Mr Dickson Akoh, the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IG-P), Mr Ibrahim Idris, to unseal the headquarters of the corps in Jabi, Abuja.
Akoh also called on stakeholders in security sector to urge the IG-P to obey the rule of law.

He made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
Akoh said the Attorney General of the Federation, National Human Rights and other well meaning Nigerians should intervene and ensure the police follow the court order.
He said the organisation had not committed any known crime under the laws of the country.
“We are ever ready to defend ourselves before any court of law as it is our wish to clear ourselves of any allegations.
“In a civilised society where the rule of law is supreme and respected by institutions of government and individuals, it is expected that the police comply with valid court orders.
“With the continuous disregard to all court judgment in respect of our matter, our members are becoming agitated to go and take over the headquarters premises in line with court orders,” Akoh said.
He recalled that in the last 10 years, the organisation had won over 15 judgments in the court.
“It is no longer contestable that the rule of law is the bedrock of democracy.
“And if that is generally accepted, then the action of the IG-P in disobeying valid court orders with brazen impunity and selective victimisation of innocent Nigerians must be quite disturbing to all lovers of democracy,” he said.
Besides, Akoh appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to redirect the IG-P to order his men to vacate the premises of the corps in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akoh was discharged by a Federal High Court presided by Justice John Tsoho on June 12 on the 13-count criminal charges preferred against him by the police.
The Police had in March 2017, slammed Akoh with a 90-count charge but later amended it to 13 charges, after it was observed that most of the charges were repetitive.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had in February 2018, also ordered the police also to respect subsisting court orders by un-unsealing the PCN headquarters.
The office had been under lock since Feb. 28, 2017. (NAN)
OEO/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Health

Police to unseal Peace Corps office before Feb. 27 – Akoh

Police to unseal Peace Corps office before Feb. 27 – Akoh
NAN-H-55
Office
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Feb. 15, 2018 (NAN)The Nigeria Police has promised to unseal the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) before the next sitting of the investigative hearing by the House Committee on Public Petitions.
The National Commandant of PCN, Mr Dickson Akoh, told newsmen on Thursday in Abuja that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Sadiq Bello, gave him the assurance on a phone conversation.
Akoh later led officials of the corps to the premises of the office in Jabi, demanding for the reopening of the complex.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Justice and Equity, had on Jan. 25, petitioned the National Assembly over sealing of the PCN office by the police.
The group accused the police of disobeying subsisting court order in favour of the corps.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions had earlier directed the police to vacate the headquarters of the PCN, which has been under lock and key since Feb. 28, 2017.
Akoh lauded the police for approaching the matter in a civil way, saying this is the first time the police is speaking with them respectfully.
“Since they have for the first time spoken to us in a very humane manner, we will not disrespect superior order, we respect constituted authority and in that spirit we will leave.
“The CP has intervened and we will disengage because we are peaceful people and their approach was very civil.
“If this matter had been handled this way by the then CP, engaging and discussing with us, it would not have got to this level,” he said.
Akoh appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to accent to the PCN Bill, which was forwarded to him since January.
The bill, he said, would alleviate the suffering of some young Nigerians seeking employment, adding that PCN will focus on gathering intelligence for security especially at the community level.
Besides, Akoh appealed for the urgent Federal Government intervention to settle its annual rent of N13.5 million, which had lapsed without being used.
The convener of the civil society organisations, Mr Olayemi Success, stressed the need for every institution of government, especially the police, to obey court orders.
The next sitting of the investigative hearing by the House Committee on Public Petitions, on the petition filed by the coalition will be on Feb. 27. (NAN)
OEO/IFY/MST
Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole/Muhammad Suleiman Tola