By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Jigawa State has emerged as the state with the lowest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, recording a rate of 0.3% of its population, according to Alhaji Abdulsamad Salihu, State Team Lead of the Society for Family Health (SFH).

Speaking during the official handover of HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs from Heartland Alliance to the Society for Family Health, Salihu commended the commitment of the Jigawa State government, the State AIDS Control Agency (SACA), and other partners for their efforts in reducing the prevalence of the disease.

Salihu emphasized the importance of continuing targeted efforts with Key Populations (KP) to eliminate the spread of HIV and achieve the universal health target by 2030.

The program manager for Jigawa State SACA, Malam Ibrahim Almajiri, highlighted the significant impact of the Heartland Alliance’s three-year intervention in the state, which included health services and support for HIV/AIDS management. He noted that approximately 1,700 people are currently receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), a milestone made possible by collaborative efforts.

In his remarks, the state’s Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Action Committee on HIV/AIDS, Engr. Aminu Usman Gumel, expressed gratitude to Heartland Alliance for its contributions to combating HIV in Jigawa. He lauded the reduced prevalence rate, attributing it to the government’s commitment and teamwork with stakeholders.

Engr. Gumel assured the Society for Family Health of continued robust partnership and pledged the government’s support for their efforts to sustain and further reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Jigawa State.

The event marked a new phase in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Jigawa, with a renewed focus on achieving a disease-free state through strategic collaborations and community engagement.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Jigawa State is being hampered by poor funding and widespread poverty, according to observations by the state’s ACJA Compliance Level Actors.

This was highlighted during a two-day workshop on the ACJA 2015, organized by CLEEN Foundation with support from the MacArthur Foundation, at the Grand Ambard Hotel in Dutse.

Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma presented findings from research on compliance levels across eight project states. He emphasized the need for adequate budgeting, enhanced state capacity, and strategic advocacy to close the justice gap and ensure the effective implementation of ACJA provisions.

“The beauty of any law lies in its effective implementation by responsible agencies and public understanding of its benefits,” Maduoma said.
He noted that while the ACJA has been enacted across all 36 states, significant work remains to ensure its success.
The acting executive director noted that it will also take an overview of state capacity to facilitate the effective implementation of ACJA regime, Consider the Justice Gap and how to close them through State Capacity in the area of good and adequate Budgeting, and the critical role of Strategic Advocacy and Communication as a Tool for Policy Formulation and Change.

According to him, “For us in CLEEN Foundation, it is important that all the deliberations in this two-day workshop will lead to great improvement in the work we all have been doing in the advancement of the ACJA/L across the nation and particularly in our states”.

Explaining further he said, as at today the ACJA has been enacted as law across the 36 states of the Federation. However, it is not “Uhuru” yet because the beauty of any law or legislation lies in the effective and efficient implementation of its content by the agencies that have been saddled with that responsibility as well as the perception and understanding of the citizenry as to what benefits are derivable thereof for a better society.
The workshop brought together a broad range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media representatives, human rights groups, police, correctional services, legal professionals, and the state assembly. Participants identified key challenges and developed advocacy strategies to address them, with the aim of advancing the ACJA’s goals of fostering justice, peace, and societal development.

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

On the occasion of World Children’s Day (WCD) 2024, children from Jigawa State have called on the state’s House of Assembly to enact laws that will enhance education and protect their rights. This appeal was made during a special session held in the state’s legislative chamber, which was presided over by Jamila Aliyu Abdulkadir, the Speaker of the Jigawa State Children’s Parliament.

Abdulkadir emphasized that access to basic education, healthcare, and other essential rights are the foundation for a child’s future. She urged the state’s lawmakers to pay attention to the needs of children and address the key issues that affect their growth and well-being, as these are crucial for building a better future for the next generation.

“Access to education, health, and protection of rights is key to a brighter future for any child,” Abdulkadir stated, appealing to both the legislative and executive arms of government to prioritize these fundamental areas.

In conjunction with the celebrations, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria congratulated Nigerian children on their special day, encouraging them to stay committed to their studies and avoid negative behaviors, as they represent the future leaders of the nation.

World Children’s Day is observed annually on November 20th to mark the United Nations’ adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in 1989. The 2024 theme, “Listening to the Future,” highlights the importance of listening to children’s voices and ensuring they have a role in shaping decisions that impact their lives.

Since 2017, World Children’s Day has served as a key platform for raising awareness on global issues affecting children, including education, health, and protection from abuse. This year, children’s participation remained central to the celebrations, underscoring their importance in advocating for the change they wish to see.

In Jigawa, the children took the opportunity to engage directly with the state lawmakers, advocating for stronger laws that support education and safeguard their rights. Their active involvement in the state’s legislative process reflects a growing movement to ensure that children’s voices are heard and their needs addressed at the highest levels of government.