Katsina Organises Refresher Programme For 7,325 New Teachers

Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has directed that a ‘One-Week Refresher Training Programme’ be organised for the 7,325 teachers newly recruited into the Katsina civil service.

Radda spoke while receiving the report of the “Ad-hoc Committee for the Conduct of Recruitment and Examination for S-Power.”

This was contained in a press release signed by the chief press secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, and issued to journalists yesterday.

The recruitment of the over 7,000 teachers followed their remarkable performance in an aptitude examination and interview conducted by the ad-hoc committee.

“This is to ensure they are well-prepared for their roles in the teaching profession. And upon the conclusion of the one-week refresher course, I will personally present them with their employment letters,” Governor Radda said.

The committee, which comprises 11 members and led by Dr Sabiru Dahiru Yusuf, was inaugurated on July 11, 2023, by the deputy governor, Hon Faruk Jobe.

Over the course of two weeks, the committee diligently screened prospective teachers across the seven old local government areas of the state, namely: Katsina, Malumfashi, Kankia, Dutsin Ma, Funtua, Daura, and Mani.

Their tasks include conducting recruitment examinations for 5,000 NCE/Diploma S Power primary school teachers, and 2,000 graduate S-Power secondary school teachers.

Additionally, the committee reviewed the recent rapid recruitment of 3,889 teachers conducted by SUBEB.

According to Dahiru Yusuf, the candidates underwent screening in four categories: S-Power primary school teachers, S-Power secondary school teachers, newly recruited teachers, and part-time voluntary teachers for secondary schools.

Yusuf further said the committee obtained a list of 5,000 S-Power primary school teachers and screened them across the seven LGAs, while the Ministry of Education provided a list of 2,000 S-Power Secondary school teachers, and SUBEB released 889 newly-recruited teachers to the committee.

“Furthermore, the Ministry of Education supplied 693 part-time and voluntary teachers for secondary schools. In total, 8,582 candidates underwent screening, with 7,627 emerging as successful candidates.

“These 7,627 individuals later took an aptitude examination on August 13 and participated in interviews. Impressively, 7,325 candidates passed, representing a commendable 96% success rate, while 347 candidates did not meet the criteria,” he said.

Governor Radda, upon receiving the committee’s report, expressed his gratitude for their thorough work and recognised the vital role of education in his government’s agenda.

Consequently, he approved the employment of the 7,325 successful candidates.

WHO Lauds Kano Govt Over Handling Of Diphtheria Outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday commended the Kano State Government for its commitment towards stopping diphtheria outbreak in some parts of the state.

The WHO country representative in Nigeria, Walter Kasadi, said the state has displayed exemplary leadership in bringing the epidemic to a stand-still in some parts of the state.

Kasali described Kano State as a role model in the fight against the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kasadi made the commendation when the Global Fund delegation paid a working visit to Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House, yesterday. He called on other states to Kano State.

“Kano is an epicentre for diphtheria, but we have seen so far exemplary in quick rapid response.

“All agencies, sectors, partners working around and implementing a diphtheria response effort. And that is an example as to how to work together.

“We hope other states will follow suit and harness these successes.

“Obviously, Kano has a great potential of revitalising primary healthcare, which has been put forward by WHO to accelerate health.

“Diphtheria is just a wake up call that we have to revisit the foundation of the PHC, multi-sector policy and action, community empowerment and engagement.

“What we have seen here is an example of political will or commitment,” Kasadi said.

Responding, Yusuf told the Global Fund delegation that the state government would continue to accord priority attention towards the provision of modern equipment in its healthcare facilities across the 44 local government areas of the state. (NAN)