General
MTN Foundation, NDLEA, UNODC lead anti-drug awareness walk in Kano
MTN Nigeria Foundation, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Saturday led an anti-drug sensitisation walk in Kano, as part of efforts to raise youth awareness and discourage substance abuse.
The exercise, tagged MTN Anti-Drug Abuse Walk, also featured students, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.
Participants, who dressed in branded T-shirts, carried placards with messages such as “Say No to Drugs,” “Addiction Starts With One Wrong Choice,” “Highness No Be Steeze,” and “Healthy Body, and Healthy Mind – No Drugs.
The participants walked to and from Bayero University’s old campus, passing through Kano State Polytechnic.
Speaking at the event, Aliyu Abu-Sufyan, Senior Manager at MTN Nigeria, said the initiative was organised in partnership with NDLEA, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and student groups.
He said that the aim was to engage the public on the dangers of drug abuse and to encourage collective action.
“MTN Foundation remains committed to education, empowerment, and partnerships with relevant stakeholders to fight drug abuse among young people,” he said.
“This advocacy walk is not only to raise awareness but also to call on communities to unite against substance abuse,” he added.
Abu-Sufyan said the foundation’s Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), launched in 2019, had reached more than 91 million Nigerians, including 27,000 students and 450 teachers in 65 secondary schools across 12 states.
He said that in 2024, the foundation, in collaboration with NDLEA’s 24/7 psychosocial support desk, provided counselling to about 4,000 individuals.
“We are targeting training for over 86,000 students and 1,500 teachers in another 12 states this year,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr Edward Fagbohun, Senior Manager, Programme Implementation at the MTN Foundation, said “the campaign primarily targets young people aged between 10 and 25.
“We know that if we are able to discourage them from substance use, we will be building a society free from drug addiction.
“That’s why our yearly sensitisation, in partnership with NDLEA and UNODC, is focused on reaching youths across the country,” he said.
Fagbohun said similar awareness campaigns were being held simultaneously in Lagos, Enugu and Abuja.
“We are also organising training for teachers and students in selected schools across the country on the dangers of drug and substance abuse,” he added.
In his remarks, the NDLEA Deputy Commander in charge of Operations and Training in Kano, Mr Dahiru Yahya, said the prevalence of drug abuse in the state was partly due to its large population.
He said the walk was part of NDLEA’s activities to commemorate the 2025 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
According to him, the theme for this year’s World Drug Day is: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention.”
“To invest in prevention, we must break the chain of production, supply and use of drugs.
“Everyone knows the effects of drug abuse the damage it causes to individuals and society.
“Banditry, kidnapping, and mass failure in academic examinations are all linked to drug abuse,” he said.
Yahya commended MTN Foundation for partnering with the NDLEA to achieve a drug-free society.
NAN
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By Aminu Garko
Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, has congratulated First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu on her 65th birthday.
In a congratulatory message, Senator Musa described the First Lady as “an Amazon and a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians.”
Sen.Musa praised Senator Tinubu’s life of impact, devotion to God, and service to the nation.
He celebrated her compassion, strength, and dedication to the welfare of women, children, and the less privileged, noting that she continues to inspire hope across Nigeria.
The Senator wished the First Lady many more years in good health, wisdom, and strength, expressing confidence that she will continue to support President Bola Tinubu and champion noble causes that will uplift the nation.
On behalf of the people of Niger East, I join in celebrating the First Lady’s special day and pray for her continued good health and well-being.
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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, says the Federal Government has committed over N12 billion to a solar power project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).
Speaking at the flag-off of the project in Kano, Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the initiative would make the hospital independent of the national grid.
He explained that the project is part of the government’s plan to solarise all tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country, beginning with AKTH.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
“The Federal Government set aside N300 billion in the 2025 appropriation act, and very soon all our tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, including those owned by states, will enjoy 24-hour solar power.
“This year alone, I have attracted projects worth over N26 billion to AKTH, which has never happened in its history,” he said.
Bichi added that similar projects were underway at Bayero University Kano, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.
He also commended Tinubu for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in healthcare service delivery.
In his remarks, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the initiative marked the translation of the Renewed Hope Agenda from vision to tangible action.
On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, assured that the project would be delivered before December.
“This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We are targeting about 10,000 projects across the 36 states and the FCT to ensure 100 per cent solarisation of facilities,” Abdullahi said.
The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, said the hospital spends about N150 million monthly on electricity bills and an additional N30 million on diesel.
“With this intervention, the hospital will save more than 30 per cent of its expenses. This project could not have come at a better time, especially after the recent power dispute we had,” he said.
Before the flag-off, Bichi inspected the ongoing construction of a five-storey Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre at the hospital, another project facilitated by the Federal Government.
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