Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has signed into law the establishment of the state’s Disease Control Agency and the State Security Agency.

The governor signed the bills on Tuesday during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Kano Government House.

Additionally, the governor approved amendments to the law governing the Kano State Transport Agency.

The signing followed the Kano State House of Assembly’s approval of the bills.

During the same Executive Council meeting, Governor Abba honored students from science and technology secondary schools who excelled in various scientific and technological fields.

Among the awardees were Jafar Sani Muhd, who secured first place from Gwale Local Government Area, and Aminu Ado Abubakar, who came second, also from Gwale. Mustapha Nasir Mukhtar, from Bichi Local Government Area, secured third place.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf presented the students with various gifts, including computers.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, also presented to Governor Yusuf the 2024 Kano State Government’s work plan.

Furthermore, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf received honorary awards from various organizations and institutions, including one from the Bishop Idahosa Foundation.

Thirty-six per cent of pregnant women in Adamawa State, according to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, suffer from anaemia, a condition that poses serious risks to both the mothers and their babies.

Nuzhat Rafique, the Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi, made the disclosure in Yola, explaining, “Adamawa State’s malnutrition crisis is further worsened by alarming child nutrition statistics: 48.6% of children are stunted, 7% are wasted, and over 80% experience child food poverty.”

She said to combat this crisis, UNICEF has provided 4,290 cartons of Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS) to the Adamawa State government, assuring that the supplements will benefit approximately 85,000 children, helping to prevent malnutrition and improve child survival, growth, and development.

Addressing issues such as stunting, wasting, and anaemia, procured through the Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) mechanism, SQ-LNS contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as protein and energy.

According to her, Adamawa was among the first states in Nigeria to adopt the CNF, contributing N100 million in 2023, which was matched by UNICEF.

Felix Tangwami, Adamawa State’s Commissioner for Health and Human Resources, attributed the high malnutrition rates to insecurity, which has limited farmers’ access to their lands and reduced food availability.

He lauded Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for prioritizing the social services sector, particularly healthcare, and highlighted the state’s investment of N100 million in 2023 for food supplements, which has been increased to N300 million this year.

Dr. Bashir Sulaiman, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, expressed optimism that the N300 million matching fund would significantly improve child health in the state.

With UNICEF’s contribution, this will translate into N600 million worth of supplements, ensuring better nutrition and well-being for thousands of children.

The Life After Abuse Foundation (LAAF) is hosting a pivotal event to advance the global discourse on men’s mental health.

This high-level gathering convenes international stakeholders, thought leaders, and experts to address the pressing mental health issues affecting men worldwide.

The event, scheduled for February 1, 2025, will take place virtually on Zoom, accommodating participants from diverse time zones (10am CST, 11am EST, 5pm WAT).

This assembly boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including Domenico Vito, Chair of the Health & Climate Committee at the Rotary Club of Social Entrepreneurs;

Diondré Johnson, renowned Fatherhood/Mental Health Champion; Lawrence DeMarco, Executive Manager at the International Council for Men and Boys; Sivam Velautham,

President of Voices of Men 360; and Halima Layeni, a prominent Global Voice for Men’s Mental Health. Facilitating the discussions are esteemed experts: Glory Livingstone,

Founder of Mental Health Africa; Dare Asobele, Founder of the Anti-Suicide and Prevention Squad; Jide Ogunleye,

President of the Rotary Club of Omole; Idris Mubarak,

Digital Development Advocate; and Jecinta Egbim, representing Friends Advocating for Mental Health.

The event focuses on implementing strategies to address systemic inequities in men’s mental health, promoting universal access, and culturally responsive care.

By convening global stakeholders, the assembly aims to identify key challenges, showcase innovative solutions, foster collaborations, and develop actionable recommendations for policymakers, organizations, and individuals.

Participation in this event is crucial for anyone invested in advancing men’s mental health support, solutions, and action.