The Deputy Governor immunizing a child in Bunkure 

*20 Kano LGs receive open defecation-free certificates

* Donations for GSM market inferno: Kano govt opens bank account

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

Parents and caregivers in Bunkure Local Government Area have wholeheartedly embraced vaccination of their children against polio meningitis.

This followed an aggressive campaign launched by the Kano Field Office of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Kano state government during the June 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) Campaign in the state.

Our Correspondent reports that Bunkure is among the three Local Government Areas in Kano where the polio virus was detected before the June NIPDs campaign.

However, Bunkure recorded a large turnout of parents and caregivers who brought their children for vaccination during the June NIPDs campaigns.

Our Correspondent, who monitored the exercise across the Bunkure Local Government Area, observed that children were immunised as parents came out en masse to surrender their children for the healthy exercise.

Hajiya Amina Ibrahim, who brought her child to one of the immunisation centres, told our Correspondent that Bunkure has never recorded such a mass turnout during polio immunisation programmes in recent times.

“You are aware that the Deputy Governor was here in person a few days ago when the immunisation exercise was launched.

“He came with UNICEF and other development partners, and we were advised and lectured on the need to surrender our children for polio immunisation.

“I must confess to you that every child who is supposed to get polio immunisation is being brought forward for the time to exercise, because we now know that polio vaccines are very good for the health of our children.”

Our Correspondent reports that the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, recently flagged off the June 2025 National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs) Campaign in Bunkure Local Government Area. 

20 Kano LG receive open defecation-free certificate

Twenty Local Government Areas in Kano state have received certificates, declaring them as Open Defecation Free (ODF), just as the state Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has been awarded the Great Achiever on the Open Defecation Free campaign.

Toilets9

The ODF campaign in Kano was fast-tracked and aided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Kano Field Office.

Currently, 26 Local Government Areas in Kano have attained the ODF status.

Governor Yusuf stated that with the aggressive campaigns and increased effort, the remaining Local Government Councils would soon achieve the ODF.

A statement issued by Mustapha Muhammad, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, indicated that six more Local Government Areas will soon attain the ODF status.

” Kano State would soon be an Open Defecation Free State,” Governor  Yusuf said.

Goveenor Yusuf, who was represented by his Deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, during the award and issuing of certificates, said Kano state government has shown concern on the Open Defecation Free Campaign, providing laterines, and other sanitary materials to keep Kano clean and stop the open defecation in all nooks and crannies of Kano state.

In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, said the Clean Nigeria Campaign is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He called on all the state governments to give maximum support and political will to get rid of open defecation across the country.

The Commissioner of Rural and Community Development, Honourable Abdulkadir Abdussalam, stated that the government of Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf is winning the campaign against open defecation.

On a goodwill message, the Commissioner of Health, Kano State, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, said the successes recorded on the open defecation-free campaigns have reduced the cases of waterborne diseases in Kano.

Our Correspondent reports that Open Defecation Free is a global campaign to stop people from defecating on the streets or any open place, except in toilets.

Any local government council or state that attains the ODF means that over 95 per cent of the people in the areas are not defecating outside.

Featuring at the event is the presentation of the certificates to the 20 Local Government Councils and an award to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, as the Great Achiever on the Open Defecation Free Campaign.

Donations for GSM market inferno: Kano govt opens bank account

Kano state government has opened a special bank account for freewill donations from philanthropists, corporate organizations and politicians to the market leadership and victims of the recent Farm Centre GSM market fire incident, Kano.

Waiya, Kano state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs

The State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, in a Statement titled: “Clarifications On Public Donations To Farm Centre GSM Market Fire Victims,” insisted that the state government encouraged all to donate generously to help rebuild the burnt market and alleviate the sufferings of the victims.

Waiya said: “In  the light of recent speculations and rumours circulating on some media platforms, regarding public donations to victims of the recent fire disaster at the Farm Centre GSM Market, the Kano State Government wishes to provide the following clarification:

“At no time did the state government say or imply that individuals or organizations are not allowed to donate to the affected traders. The government deeply appreciates the spirit of solidarity, empathy, and generosity demonstrated by some concerned Nigerians, especially philanthropists and corporate bodies, since the unfortunate incident occurred.”

According to Waiya, “to ensure proper coordination, transparency, and equitable distribution of assistance to genuine victims, the government set up a High Powered committee and opened a dedicated bank account for donations.

“This initiative is not intended to discourage contributions from the general public but rather to prevent duplication, mismanagement, or misdirection of relief materials and financial aid for the affected victims

“It is important to emphasize that, this coordination mechanism aims to guarantee that every kobo or material support reaches those who truly suffered losses, traders whose shops, goods, and means of livelihood were destroyed in the inferno.”

The Commissioner further stated that: “In a strong show of commitment, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has already announced a direct government intervention of over N2 billion for the reconstruction, expansion, and modernization of the Farm Centre GSM Market.

“This includes rebuilding damaged plazas and shops, expanding the market by acquiring additional space, establishing a fully equipped fire station within the market, and installation of solar-powered streetlights to enhance security and night-time activities.”

Waiya added that the government will institute a dedicated market management structure to promote transparency, orderliness, and long-term sustainability.

Kano state government, also reiterated its unwavering support for the victims of the GSM Market fire and welcomed all well-intentioned support, while urging that donations be routed through the proper channels to avoid chaos, politicization or exploitation of the situation.