By Haruna Gimba
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Dr Aminu Garba Magashi as Co-Chair of the Kano State Anti-Drug Abuse Task Force as part of his administration’s renewed commitment to tackling drug abuse and related social vices across the state.
This was contained in a statement issued Monday by the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Kano Government House, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
According to the statement, the appointment reflects the administration’s determination to strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations, public health experts, and relevant stakeholders in addressing the growing challenge of substance abuse, particularly among young people.
Governor Yusuf also disclosed that the state government is set to establish a mobile court dedicated to the speedy prosecution of drug-related offences and other social crimes.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring prompt justice, enhancing enforcement, and serving as a deterrent to offenders.
The governor expressed confidence that Dr. Magashi’s wealth of experience and commitment to public service would significantly strengthen the activities of the task force and support the government’s efforts to build a safer, healthier, and drug-free Kano.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports that the governor also approved the inclusion of representatives of the Sharia Commission into the composition of the Task Force to ensure conformity with Islamic guidance.
Dr Magashi is a renowned medical doctor, public health expert, and a respected civil society advocate with extensive experience in public health policy, social protection, and community development.
He is the Founder and Coordinator of the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), Chairman of the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMGF), and other non-governmental organisations, including Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), YOSPIS as well as the Health Reporters, an Online non-profit newspaper.
Magashi was the Chairman of Governor Yusuf’s 2023 Health-Transition Committee, a 31-member sub-committee that designed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s health agenda.
He also served briefly as the Coordinator of the Kano State Cancer Care Centre (KCCC.
