News
Governor Yusuf’s Visionary Commitment To Free Maternal Healthcare
In a momentous stride towards healthcare excellence, Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has magnanimously announced the commencement of free maternal healthcare services in the region.
This significant declaration unfolded during the grand re-commissioning ceremony of the Hasiya Bayero Paediatric hospital an 86-bed medical marvel whose restoration is attributed to the dedicated efforts of the current administration.
Amidst fervent debates surrounding the fate of Hasiya Bayero Paediatric hospital, Governor Yusuf’s stance remains unswerving.
In stark contrast to the previous administration’s alleged transgressions, the governor empathetically highlighted the struggles faced by the residents during the hospital’s temporary closure.
At the heart of this transformative initiative is the assurance of comprehensive healthcare services.
From nutritional guidance and immunization to cutting-edge research, training, and seamless two-way referral networks, Hasiya Paediatric hospital encompasses a holistic approach to healthcare provisioning.
Governor Yusuf’s emphasis on the hospital’s recovery, renovation, and provision of state-of-the-art equipment underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to eradicating the distressingly high neo-natal and infant morbidity and mortality rates.
Through this, the administration seeks to alleviate the healthcare challenges that have long plagued the citizens of Kano State.
The governor’s directive for the swift redeployment of skilled personnel is a strategic move to ensure the hospital’s operational efficiency.
This, coupled with the hospital’s reinstatement, is poised to alleviate the medical and surgical challenges that have burdened the citizens, particularly the vulnerable children.
In a heartening display of gratitude, Governor Yusuf acknowledges the concerted efforts of various entities that played an instrumental role in the hospital’s resurrection.
The Honourable Commissioner of Health, the Works and Housing team, the Kano Emirate Council, The Ulamas, and the benevolent business community all share in this triumphant achievement.
The esteemed presence of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, at the hospital’s re-commissioning evokes a sense of historical continuity and pride.
This gesture reinforces the hospital’s lineage to his grandmother, Mai Baban Daki, a fact not forgotten by the Emir himself.
Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the state Commissioner for Health, aptly terms the hospital’s restoration as a historic milestone.
The Commissioner applauds Governor Yusuf’s tenacity in fulfilling his promise, bringing a much-needed sigh of relief to the residents of Kano.
Dr. Haruna Adamu, the Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization (Who) for Northwest, asserts the unwavering support of development partners in Kano’s quest for improved healthcare delivery.
This endorsement of collaborative efforts echoes the commitment of all stakeholders to elevate healthcare services for the populace.
The Emir of Kano, His Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, stands as a proud witness to the hospital’s rejuvenation.
Expressing his gratitude for the governor’s benevolence, the Emir lauds the hospital’s revival as an embodiment of progress and a testament to its enduring legacy.
In a final plea, the Emir rallies the community to safeguard this investment, reminding them that the government’s endeavors must be supplemented by private sector participation.
With the re-commissioning ceremony culminating in a celebration of shared achievement, Governor Yusuf and Emir Aminu Ado Bayero exchange pleasantries a poignant reminder of the collaborative spirit propelling Kano’s healthcare renaissance.
A group of concerned citizens has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to sabotage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms on local refineries.
The group, Concerned Nigerians led by its National Coordinator Obinna Francis, claims to have uncovered a sinister plot to stop the supply of crude oil to domestic refineries.
According to Francis, the plot is being orchestrated by a cabal within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), in collaboration with importers of fake petrol.
The group alleges that this cabal is seeking to undermine the government’s economic reforms, which have led to a significant reduction in fuel prices and a subsequent decrease in the cost of food items.
The concerned citizens believe that the plot is driven by a desire to return Nigeria to the era of petrol importation and the reintroduction of subsidies.
They argue that cutting off crude oil supply to domestic refineries would create a shortage of refined products, forcing the country to import fuel.
The group claims that the cabal has been manipulating officials in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to justify the planned refusal to supply crude oil to local refineries.
They also allege that the cabal has the support of individuals seeking regime change, who hope to capitalize on public anger and protests to bring down the government.
Francis added: “The members of the cabal, working through certain officials of NNPCL, have been manipulating their colleagues in the NUPRC, which has responsibility for overseeing the supply of crude oil to refineries in Nigeria.
“Their plot includes sabotaging exploration and distribution infrastructure to justify the planned refusal to cut off crude supplies. This unholy alliance has the support of individuals who have been angling for a regime change.
“Our suspicion is that while the NNPCL/NUPRC cabal pursue the monetary gains of truncating the steady supply of refined products, their political wing anticipates that a disruption in refining capacity would lead to petrol scarcity, drive fuel prices up and hike food prices with the attendant anger against the government of the day.
“They desire to weaponize such public anger into anti-government protests that would bring the administration down. We are concerned that if not stopped, this plot will undo all the gains that have been made in the implementation of economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government and doom us all.
“We are further concerned that such a plot at this critical time of our economic evolution would plunge the country into an abyss from which it may never resurface.”
The concerned citizens are calling on President Tinubu and the Department of State Services (DSS) to intervene and prevent the plot from being executed. They praised the president’s economic reforms, which have driven Nigeria towards energy sustainability and revived the oil industry.
The group warned that if the plot is not stopped, it would undo all the gains made by the government and plunge the country into economic chaos.
They urged the president to ensure that no one in NNPCL, NUPRC, or any other connected agency undermines the achievements recorded in the sector.
Actor-turned-politician Desmond Elliot has become a hot topic online after a video surfaced showing his emotional reaction on Monday, shortly after Mojisola Meranda resigned as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Earlier, SPEARNEWS reported that Ms Meranda announced her resignation during a plenary session.
Following her resignation, the impeached Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, was reinstated to his former position.
In a viral video, Mr Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Assembly, was emotional over Ms Meranda’s resignation.
Dressed in a black native outfit, the 51-year-old attempted to deliver a farewell speech but was overcome with emotion and struggled to hold back tears.
At one point in the viral video, he found it difficult to continue speaking and requested that another lawmaker take the floor while he composed himself.
“Madam Speaker, can you allow others to speak first?” he asked.
Ms Meranda responded, “Have your seat,” prompting him to sit down, covering his face with one hand as he wiped away tears.
Seyi Lawal, an All Progressives Congress (APC) representative from Ikeja Constituency 1, was granted permission to speak in place of Mr Elliot, who has served in the House since April 2015.
Kano State government has made arrangements to feed 91,000 people in 91 designated centres during the 2025 Ramadan Feeding Programme.
Flagging off the feeding programme in m Fagge Local Government Area on Sunday evening, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the programme, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam, said that that the initiative would run for 27 days.
He said that the programme was aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and would provide daily iftar meals to fasting Muslims, alleviating the challenges faced during Ramadan.
“Since the assumption of office, Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, has institutionalised this initiative to support vulnerable residents by providing daily iftar meals during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The programme, which is part of the state’s annual humanitarian efforts, aims to alleviate the difficulties faced by fasting Muslims during Ramadan.
“Recognising the needs of the state’s large population of Ramadan observers, the Kano State Government remains committed to ensuring that relief reaches those in need,” he explained.
Abdulsalam expressed satisfaction with the seamless commencement of the initiative.
He further urged the catering companies involved to ensure prompt and efficient delivery of meals to all feeding centers, in order to achieve the programme’s objectives.
Abdulsalam was accompanied by key officials, including the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, as well as his counterpart in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Sheikh Tijjani Auwal. (NAN)