Kano Govt Strengthens Health Emergency Response Through Media Capacity Building

The Kano State Government has intensified efforts to enhance health security and emergency preparedness through strategic engagement with the media, following the conclusion of a two-day Media Focus Workshop on Emergency Risk Communication.

The workshop, organised by the Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC) with support from the FCDO–Lafiya Programme, was held in Kaduna and brought together journalists, broadcasters and digital media practitioners from across the state.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said responsible media engagement remains critical to protecting lives during disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. He warned that misinformation and unverified reports could worsen crises, stressing the need for accurate, ethical and coordinated communication.

The governor called for sustained collaboration between the media, the Ministry of Health and KNCDC to ensure timely, credible and people-centred information dissemination during emergencies.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director General of KNCDC, Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas, said the workshop was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen preparedness, manage misinformation and ensure coordinated messaging across the state’s 44 local government areas.

Participants at the workshop were taken through practical sessions on outbreak reporting, misinformation management, effective use of social media and the development of Kano State’s Media Emergency Communication Action Plan.

The programme, according to organisers, marks another step in the state government’s commitment to building resilient institutions, empowering key partners and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of Kano residents through effective public communication.

The statement was signed by the Public Relations Officer of KNCDC, Muhammad Dayyabu Ali, and dated December 15, 2025.