Connect with us

Jigawa

Tanker Explosion Tragedy Spurs Jigawa NOA to Launch Emergency Risk Awareness Campaign

Published

on

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Jigawa State has launched an extensive public awareness campaign to mitigate risks associated with emergency incidents, particularly in communities along federal and state highways.

This initiative follows the recent tragic petrol tanker explosion in Niger State, which claimed numerous lives and left many injured.
The directive was issued by the state NOA Director, Malam Tijjani Ibrahim, during a meeting with Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers (COMOs) across the state’s 27 Local Government Areas.

In a press statement signed by the agency’s Head of Media and Communication, Miss Sarah Ogodo, Malam Ibrahim expressed concern over the frequent loss of lives due to fuel scooping from fallen tankers. He referenced the October 2024 incident in Jigawa’s Majia community as a stark reminder of the dangers involved.

“Citizens must understand the catastrophic consequences of scooping fuel. NOA remains committed to sensitizing the public on behavioral change, the risks of such practices, and appropriate responses during emergencies,” he stated.

Malam Ibrahim emphasized the need for targeted awareness efforts to educate communities on:

Explosion and fire hazards posed by fuel scooping.

Environmental destruction, including soil and water contamination.

Health risks from air pollution and toxic exposure.

He attributed the persistence of such dangerous behaviors to a decline in societal values and ignorance. To address this, NOA has introduced the National Identity Project (NIP), a value reorientation program designed to promote responsible citizenship and restore core societal values.

The Director called for collaboration with stakeholders and relevant agencies to discourage risky practices and foster a safer, more progressive society.

“The agency’s mission goes beyond raising awareness; it is about changing attitudes, ensuring safety, and protecting our communities from preventable disasters,” Malam Ibrahim added.

NOA reaffirmed its commitment to building a culture of safety through sustained public education and value-driven reorientation.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jigawa

Jigawa Women Traders Call for Fairer Tax Policies to Reduce Business Burden

Published

on

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Petty women traders in Jigawa State have urged the government to restructure its tax policy to address gender-based marginalization and promote fairness in taxation.

Speaking at a two-day capacity-building workshop for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on gender-responsive tax reforms, organized by Prime Initiative for Development with support from Christian Aid and CISLAC, the women called for tax relief for female-led businesses in the informal sector.

Hajiya Fatima Halliru Haruna, leader of the Dutse women traders’ group, emphasized the need for policymakers to reform tax policies to support women entrepreneurs, acknowledging the unique challenges they face.
She noted that women juggle business with domestic responsibilities, limiting their working hours compared to men, yet they are taxed equally.

Executive Director of Prime Initiative, Comrade Muhammad Abdu Dutse, stated that the workshop aimed to equip CSOs and women’s groups with advocacy skills to engage policymakers on tax reforms that promote equity and inclusion. He urged participants to apply their knowledge to push for fairer tax policies in Jigawa State.

Continue Reading

Jigawa

Jigawa Records Significant Drop in Child Mortality as UNICEF, GAVI Handover PHC Project

Published

on

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Jigawa State has recorded a remarkable reduction in under-five mortality, dropping from 213 to 161 per 1,000 live births between 2018 and 2024, according to the latest National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS).
The announcement was made by UNICEF Nigeria Country Director, Ms. Christian Maundaute, during the official handover of the GAVI PHC-MoU project to the state government in Dutse.

Represented by Dr. Shyam Sharan Pathak, Chief of Health, UNICEF Nigeria, Maundaute attributed the progress to key health interventions and partnerships, particularly through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Over the past three years, the GAVI PHC-MoU initiative has played a critical role in improving child health and strengthening the state’s primary healthcare system. Some major milestones included, 29,530 people enrolled in health insurance across six LGAs through 65 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs), 416,250 adolescent girls (70%) vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Four-fold increase in measles vaccination coverage.
Others are, Five-fold rise in antenatal care (ANC) attendance, Four-fold increase in skilled birth attendance (SBA), Expansion of vaccine storage with new walk-in cold rooms, freezers, and solar-powered refrigerators, Strengthening vaccine distribution with three additional vehicles and Recruitment of 330 healthcare workers absorbed into the government workforce, with an additional 924 hired by the state.
Receiving the project on behalf of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, Deputy Governor Eng. Aminu Usman reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to sustaining the healthcare improvements achieved under the MoU.

He emphasized that the initiative aligns with Jigawa’s 12-Point Agenda, which prioritizes primary healthcare transformation at the grassroots level. Since the MoU was signed in 2022, the project has facilitated healthcare access for over 143,000 beneficiaries across the state’s 27 local government areas.

The governor also lauded UNICEF, GAVI, and other development partners for their contributions and urged continued investment in health worker retention, outreach programs, and data-driven decision-making to sustain progress.
Maundaute acknowledged Jigawa State’s N879.25 million co-financing commitment toward the initiative and praised the government for allocating 15.6% of its budget to health. However, she stressed the need for Increased funding and oversight to maintain current results, Strengthened health worker retention strategies, Sustained outreach services and medical equipment maintenance and Enhanced data collection for informed decision-making.

As Jigawa moves forward, stakeholders remain optimistic that the progress made in reducing child mortality and improving healthcare services will continue, ensuring better health outcomes for future generations.

Continue Reading

Jigawa

Jigawa CAN Partners with NOA, VIO to Promote Peace, National Unity

Published

on

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has announced a partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enhance peace advocacy and national unity in the state.
This was disclosed by the Jigawa State CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Maurice K. Hassan, during a courtesy visit to the Jigawa State Director of NOA, Alhaji Tijjani Ibrahim, at his office in Dutse.
Rev. Fr. Hassan emphasized that peace and unity are the foundation of any society’s development.
He stated that CAN will expan collaborating with NOA to enhance public enlightenment and advocacy programs across the state.

“CAN has made it a priority to advocate, preach, and pray for peace and national unity in all church congregations, and we will continue to do so,” he said.
He also commended the Jigawa State Government under Governor Malam Umar Namadi for its inclusive approach, noting that Christian communities have been considered in government interventions and palliative distributions.
While receiving the CAN delegation, NOA Director, Alhaji Tijjani Ibrahim, expressed appreciation for the association’s commitment to national unity.
He stressed that peace and national cohesion are essential for development, stating, “There can be no progress in a society plagued by crisis and division.”
Alhaji Ibrahim called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s leadership for sustainable development and the strengthening of democracy.
During the visit, CAN also expressed appreciation to the Jigawa State Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) for its role in ensuring road safety.
Fr. Hassan assured the VIO leadership of CAN’s commitment to encouraging its members to comply with road safety regulations.
In response, the Jigawa State VIO Director acknowledged the visit as a historic moment, stating that it was the first time religious leaders had formally recognized their work. He pledged that VIO would continue to work towards ensuring safety on highways and protecting lives and property.
The CAN delegation included the association’s Secretary, Treasurer, and representatives from the Youth and Women wings.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 National Update