By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

In an effort to curb malaria prevalence among boarding school students in Jigawa state, an insecticide Treated Net (ITNs) manufacturing company “BASF” has donated mosquito nets to the students of Science and Technical College, Hadejia of the state.

Speaking while presenting the mosquito treated nets BASF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Country Cluster, West Africa, Dr Jean-Marc Ricca, said the gesture is to protect the students against malaria while in school.

The chief executive officer explained that it is also to complement the state government and other partners efforts in reducing prevalence of malaria in the state and the nation in general.

According to him “I’m happy to present 800 number of ITNs to you as part of our contribution to prevent and curb prevalence of malaria especially in these rainy season where staganent water and grasses that bread mosquito are all over. We would also retrieve old nets from the students to be recycled for other uses”.

Dr Jean-Marc Ricca added saying that the exercise will be an opportunity for the students to discover recycling for cleaner environment”
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He noted that the mosquito treated nets donation is not part of the main ITNs distribution to households in the state, but a new component of it called ‘End of Life’, under which old nets are retrieved from communities for recycled for cleaner and healthy environment.

Also, the Director Nature Conservation, Ministry of Environment, Mr Ibrahim Lawan, commended the manufacturer’s for retrieving the old nets for recycling as they are not degradable.

Lawan, who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Nura Ibrahim, indicated that the state government is also collaborating with NGOs and other partners in recycling such non degradable materials for cleaner environment.

He explained that in order to make the environment clean, such materials are being collected and taken to industries for recycling purposes.

On his part, the Director Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, Pharm. Rabiu Yakubu, also commended the firm for supporting the state in the fight against malaria.

Yakubu indicated the gesture will go a long way in protecting the students against malaria.
The director, who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammad Kainuwa, called on the beneficiaries to ensure that they sleep under the nets in order to achieve the desired goal.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Deputy Head of Student of the college, Usman Harisu, commended the firm for the gesture.

Immediate past Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has indicated that despite the situation in the country, he is pleased that more Nigerians have taken to the farm to grow more food so as to bring down the prices of food in the country.
Speaking to journalists shortly after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, to observe the Eid prayer at the township Eid ground on Sunday,Buhari also used the occasion to appeal to all citizens to make Nigeria Self-reliant. “Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time to relent when we see prices going up. Let us buy what is produced in the country.

“The foundation of a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments, and I encourage our youth, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts.”
The former president said there was need to look into the problem of uncontrolled population growth in the country, saying the situation has become a matter for concern.
“There is a need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health.”

The President who wished all Nigerians a Happy Sallah, also prayed that this special festival of Eid-el-Kabir will bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone.

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has held a fruitful bilateral discussion with Seamuel Foundation, a South Korean government organisation to accelerate the socio-economic development of the State
The Chief Press secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula Muhammed in a statement made available to the National Update in Abuja on Sunday indicated that foundation has been noted for giving assistance to developing countries in many aspects to grow their economies, and also alleviate poverty.
He said it is also responsible for sharing the Korean experience of converting drudgery, extreme poverty and hunger to affluence and prosperity through self help, deligence and corporation to the global communities.
According to him, two Katsina communities namely Makera and Raddawa villages of Matazu and Dutsinma Local Governments have once benefitted from the humanitarian support of the foundation.

The foundation has so far constructed irrigation facilities and introduced modern techniques of farming practice, as well as provision of implements to Katsina farmers.

Governor Radda, while speaking with the management of the foundation, extended the appreciation of the government and people of Katsina State as he saluted the South Korean organisation for its humanitarian services.

He also used the opportunity to request for extra funding and expansion of the project scope to cover many Katsina communities.

“I am appealing for the extension of the project timeline. We also request that your organisation help build the capacity of our state extension workers at the Katsina state Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.

In their response, the management of the foundation agreed to continue to work in Katsina as they also pledged to jointly develop a framework for the operationlisation of the extension and expansion of the project as requested by the Governor

Meanwhile, Governor Radda and his entuarage will meet with the Korean International Corporation (KOICA) and the Korea Trade and Investment Agency (KOTRA), on Monday.