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MTN Foundation, NDLEA, UNODC lead anti-drug awareness walk in Kano

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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.

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Kano Line Resuscitation Committee Chairman Felicitates Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf on Third-Year in Office

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The Chairman of the Kano Line Resuscitation Committee, Alh. Saidu Abdullahi Shu’aibu, has congratulated the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf, on the occasion of his third year anniversary in office.

In a congratulatory message, Alh. Saidu Abdullahi Shuaibu described the administration of Governor Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf as purposeful, people-oriented and committed to restoring the lost glory of Kano State across various sectors.

He particularly commended the Governor for his unwavering support and commitment toward the revitalization of Kano Line, nothing that the ongoing reforms and investment in the transportation sector have rekindled hope among workers and the people of the state.

According to him, the efforts of the present administration in improving infrastructure, enhancing public transportation, empowering youths, supporting education, healthcare and promoting economic growth have continued to earn the confidence and support of the people in line with the “Kano First Agenda”.

Alh. Saidu Abdullahi Shuaibu further prayed for Almaighty Allah continued guidance, wisdom and protection upon Governor Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf as he continues to steer the affairs of Kano State toward greater development and prosperity.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Kano Line Resuscitation Committee to support the administration’s vision of transforming the transportation sector for the benefit of the people of Kano State.

 

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CS-SUNN Workshop Demonstrates Tools for Evidence-Based Nutrition Planning

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The Civil Society – Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for stakeholders in Kano State on the use of the National Nutrition Budget Tracking System (NNBTS).

The training, held at Tahir Guest Palace, brought together key actors in the health and nutrition sector to enhance accountability and strengthen nutrition financing across the state.

During a presentation titled “Overview of Nutrition Financing in Nigeria: State Trend Analysis Review”, CS-SUNN official Jibrin Okpaji stressed that government interventions at all levels are vital for tackling malnutrition and its associated challenges.

Okpaji noted that sustained investment in nutrition is essential for improving public health and reducing preventable deaths among vulnerable populations.

He emphasized the need for stakeholders to acquire the technical expertise to effectively use the NNBTS, which would bolster advocacy for increased budgetary allocations and promote transparency in resource management.

Abdulrahman Abdullahi, Secretary of CS-SUNN Katsina State Chapter, described the NNBTS platform as a key tool for evidence-based planning, monitoring, and accountability in nutrition programs.

The training featured live demonstrations of the portal, practical exercises on data entry and reporting, and the generation of scorecards, analytical reports, and policy briefs using sample data.

Participants also developed state-level implementation frameworks and action plans for the effective adoption of the system.

In his goodwill message, CS-SUNN Kano Coordinator Salman Mohammad urged participants to fully utilize the training to achieve its objectives.

Stakeholders described the workshop as timely and crucial for strengthening nutrition governance and improving coordination among actors in Nigeria’s nutrition ecosystem under initiatives led by CS-SUNN and its partners.

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NPC, UNICEF Drive Sees Kano Families Register Children Digitally in High Numbers

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Families in Kano State have turned out in large numbers to participate in a digital birth registration exercise organised by the National Population Commission (NPC) in partnership with UNICEF.

The initiative, supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and ALGON, aims to provide legal identity for children, particularly in hard-to-reach and underserved communities.

Speaking during an exercise in Wasarde Birgima community, Joda Ward, Gabasawa Local Government Area, Abba Hussaini, focal person for Under-One Birth registration, described the turnout as “highly encouraging.

“Over 626 children were registered in the community alone, adding that the target for the area is 1,100 and 12,000 for the entire local government,” he explained.

Hussaini commended UNICEF for technical support, training of personnel, and provision of registration equipment, and highlighted the role of traditional and religious leaders in mobilizing families.

Also speaking, Bashir Aminu Dambazau of NPC said the digital system has simplified registration by enabling instant issuance of birth certificates, improving data management, and ensuring children are documented immediately.

He explained that the digital registration system is helping to improve documentation and data management while ensuring that children receive certificates immediately after registration.

Hussaina Ahmad, 20, who brought her eight-month-old daughter, Aisha, after missing the previous exercise in September 2025, said that she was only two weeks into motherhood then.

According to Hussaina, her husband, a commercial motorcycle operator, learned about the exercise from the village head and informed her.

“I don’t know my own birth date and I want my children to have an identity from the start.” She said

She explained that the registration was essential for school enrollment and other future benefits.

“I didn’t attend school, and neither did my parents, but I want my child to go to school and become influential in the community. Every child deserves this,” she added.

Hussaina noted that she would return to her community to educate other parents about the importance of early registration, praising the organisations bringing the service closer to families.

Similarly, 19-year-old Kaltume Ali of Unguwar Tsakiya brought her four-month-old son, Musa, said community awareness campaigns helped her realise that children without birth certificates often face barriers to healthcare, education, social protection, and other opportunities.

“My husband first heard about the registration from the village head and encouraged me to enrol our child. Neither of us has a national identity card, but we were told we could use his brother’s NIMC card. I don’t want my only son to miss out on opportunities,” she said.

Also participating was 20-year-old Asmau Sagir of Unguwar Yamma, who brought her seven-month-old son, Abdulrahman , said birth registration to safeguard children’s identity and future.

Sagir noted that digital registration helps families avoid challenges later, particularly with school enrollment and access to government services.

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