Category: Northern Report

University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is partnering bakers to begin the production of guinea corn and soybean bread.

The project was made possible with a grant from African Technology Policy Study Network (ATPS), with support from Afrexim Bank, under the ATPS Technological Innovation Challenge Award (TICA) Project.

The Project titled: “Innovative Use of Alternative, Locally Available and Nutritious Flour Materials for Bread Production in Nigeria”, is under the technical guidance of Mr. Nduka Onyeka and Dr. Esther Omah of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

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National Coordinator ATPS Nigeria and Professor of Agricultural Extension, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Michael Madukwe, made this known in a statement.

He said: “The situation provides the challenge to find innovative ways of reducing the quantity of wheat flour in bread production, reducing the cost of import, reducing pressure on foreign currency and increasing the use of locally available substitutes.

“Through research came the innovation for reducing the quantity of wheat through the addition of guinea corn and soybean flour, a protein source, which are locally available products in varying proportions.” 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Benue State Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia; his Deputy, Sam Ode, and All Progressives Congress (APC) want the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Makurdi to dismiss the election petition filed by PDP’s Titus Uba against them with considerable cost.

 Uba, and PDP are praying the tribunal to resolve the issues in the petition in their favor and against the respondents.

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The petition, marked as EPT/BN/GOV/01/2023, came up yesterday for adoption of final written addresses by the parties. In court were the petitioners: Uba, PDP (represented by Isaac Mffo), and the third respondent, Ode.

Ishaka M. Dikko, SAN for INEC, Sunday I. Ameh, SAN, for Fr. Alia, Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN, for Ode and Matthew Burka, SAN, for APC, respectively adopts their final written addresses on behalf of their respondents in urging the court to dismiss the petitioners’ petition for being bereft of merit, abuse of court process and lacking in probative evidence and award cost to the respondents.

Ameh, during adumbration, submitted that the tribunal lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the petition as one of the issues raised is a pre-election matter and cannot be decided by the election tribunal. It was his further submission that even if the Tribunal has the jurisdiction, it is settled law that anything that has to do with statutory timelines for election will always give way to a court order as it is in the case of APC’s list of candidates for this year’s Benue Governorship election, insisting that the case of Alia/Ode is better because the name of Alia and Ode was never removed from INEC list of candidates.

On his part, Osuman, SAN, in urging the tribunal to uphold his prayers encapsulated in his applications, and confident that the said applications will succeed, as the petition is a blatant abuse of the court process, submitted that the third respondent was subjected to unwarranted blackmail when in fact has not been convicted of forgery.

“They did not provide any credible evidence as proof beyond a reasonable doubt in favor of that unfounded allegation,” the learned silk submitted in urging the court to refuse the written address of the petitioners’ counsel because it cannot constitute a substitute for evidence. It was his further submission that PW2 and PW3 that were called to testify on the issue of forgery were incompetent and unqualified witnesses hence their oral evidence should be discountenanced.

“Appreciating the inadequacy of their evidence, the petitioners changed gear and have come down to rely on minimal proof and we submit that the standard of proof based on the allegation is to prove beyond reasonable doubt,” Osuman, SAN, submitted, calling attention to the evidence of PW1 as his evidence in the petition.

According to the learned silk, the quantum of evidence by the petitioners does not warrant Ode from calling witnesses, thereby relying on the evidence adduced from cross-examination because calling witnesses would have amounted to wasting the time of the tribunal.

Finally, he submitted that Ode was duly screened and his documents that went to the screening committee were found to be true, and the same was not counteracted anywhere, urging the court to reject Exhibit 10, Exhibit 11, and Exhibit 20.

The APC lead counsel, Burkaa, SAN, in urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition, draws the attention of the tribunal to the Supreme Court authority of Chief Ikie Aghwarianouwa v PDP and 2 Ors, SC/CV/614/2023 delivered on July 7, this year, as answering two fundamental points raised by the petitioners, to wit: False information and nomination of candidates.

It was the submission of Burkaa, SAN, that the petitioners conceded that their allegations against Ode has nothing to do with his academic qualifications. He further said the petitioners had taken their case outside Section 182 (of the Constitution of the FRN), which provides for qualification, leaving their petition at the mercy of Section 29 of the Electoral Act, which relates to sponsorship and or list of candidates, allowing 14 days to approach the Federal High Court.

The petitioners, the learned senior counsel to APC submitted, went to the Federal High Court and the Federal High Court turned them down only for them to bring the same issue before the tribunal. He, therefore, urged the Tribunal to dismiss the petition.

Okon, SAN, of lead counsel to the petitioners in urging the Tribunal to grant the reliefs sought in the petition, maintained that the petition is about the submission of false information to INEC. It was his submission that petitioners have come on the sole ground of qualification or nonqualification of Section 177(1a), which connotes with Section 134(1a) and (3) of the Electoral Act.

On the second issue of the relevance of the Court of Appeal decision, wherein the court said there was no primary election in 11 LGAs and consequently ordered for election in such LGAs, Okon, SAN submitted that the decision was a primary election matter and has nothing to do with submission of list of candidates or sponsorship.

“After the second primary, they went back to INEC and submitted only the name of the third respondent. Because they failed to submit the third respondent’s name by Exhibit Seven (affidavit in support of personal particulars), the joint ticket is fundamentally defective and affects the sponsorship of the candidates,” Okon, SAN, submitted while referring to Section 187(1) of the Constitution refers.

On the question of proof (of allegations of forgery) as required by law, the learned senior counsel to the petitioners submitted that they’ve proved the case by producing and tendering Exhibit 2 (CTC of the letter from All Progressives Congress (APC) (4th respondent) dated the 3/2/2023 ref:APC/NHD 2/INEC/19/023/196 addressed to the Chairman INEC, Abuja forwarding of Forms EC9 and EC13B for upload into INEC portal), Exhibit 7 (CTC of the Affidavit in support of the 3rd respondent, Samuel Ode dated the 25/7/2022 Form EC9), Exhibit 10 (letter to the Chief Registrar Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja dated 27th December 2022), Exhibit 11 (letter to PW4 on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja) and Exhibit 20, to show whether or not sponsorship was done and that there was a disclaimer from the FCT High Court disowning Exhibit 7.

It is the contention of Okon, SAN, that nowhere at the high court was the issue of submission of the name of the candidate arose and since the issue did not arise, it was not resolved.

He, therefore, moved that the issues raised in the petition be resolved in favour of the petitioners.

Having heard all the parties in the petition, the Chairman of the three-member panel, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Musa Karaye, announced that judgment in the petition is reserved.

Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who prefers the Tribunal to decide on the matter when further pressed told journalists that there was nothing to worry about – “we are confident of victory.”

At the election under legal contest, APC’s Alia/Ode polled 473,933 votes to beat PDP’s Uba/Ngbede, who polled 223,913 votes, with a margin of win at 250,020 votes.

Rotary International District 9125 has stressed the need for Nigerians to imbibe the culture of planting trees to address the rising cases or climate change.

The club has, therefore, taken the campaign to save the environment from further degradation to Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with the launch of a tree planting campaign as part of activities for its Rotary year.

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District Governor-nominee, Dame Joy Okoro, who spoke at the kick off of the campaign in Gwagwalada yesterday said Rotary International plans to take the campaign to the six Area Councils in the FCT before the enemy of the current Rotary year.

Dame Okoro, who represented the District Governor, said tree planting is one of the focal areas in Rotary as parts of efforts aimed at protecting the environment.

She said: “We all know the importance of tree to the environment. It is something that we use to protect the environment against the climate change we are experiencing.”

It is something that we cannot miss to have as human beings.They give us shade and is highly medicinal.

“There is no tree created by God that is has no medicinal value. This is a collaborative efforts to plant trees in the areas councils and this being coordinated today by the Rotary Club of Gwagwalada. Within this Rotary year, we will go round the six Area Councils to plant trees for the protection of the environment and the use of humanity.”

President of Presidents of Rotary Club of Abuja, Ijeoma Joyce Agu, said the exercise is aimed at encouraging Nigerians to plant tree instead of cutting them down as trees play a vital role in the home.

She explained that tree planting help to stop desert encroachment, deforestation and biodiversity, while also helping to curb climate change.

She said tree planting is an initiative that Rotary has taken up as part of our areas of focus to encourage people to plant trees. It is of advantage to the human life and the environment.

The Chairman, Environment in the District, Mary Udensi, said Rotary is about humanitarian service to the people and known all over the world for doing things that impacts positively on the common man.

She appeal to residents of the FCT to support the tree planting campaign as part of efforts to save the environment.

President of Rotary Club of Gwagwalada, Stephen Ayodele Kehinde said Gwagwalada was chosen for the exercise because of its peculiar nature.

He said: “Gwagwalada is known to be a very hot zone and that is because we don’t have trees in Gwagwalada.  As Rotarians, we all agreed to give back our community.  We will ensure that this exercise is sustained for the good of all.”

While commending Rotary for the initiative, the Aguma of Gwagwalada and Chairman of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Muhammad Magaji, assured them that the trees will be protected from being cut down.

Niger State has raised the alarm over the consumption of Aflsafe products by some residents across the state capital and its environs warning the consumption of Aflsafe products can lead to liver cancer.

 This is in reaction to reports that some residents are buying Aflasafe products, a bio-technological innovation designed to address the prevalence of Aflatoxins, for consumption as they mistook it for a cheaper version of guinea corn.

The Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Yakubu Bello, conducted a sensitisation for the people and stakeholders about Aflasafe and the danger of consuming the product.

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He said although the government had put up several announcements on the dangers of consuming Aflasafe, there was the need for the people to know what it contains and how it is dangerous to their lives.

“There is tension among Niger people, we want to know why Aflasafe, which is supposed to be a pesticide is being consumed. We invited the producers of the product here to tell us why people think they should consider this product,” he said.

Bello stated that security is on alert to arrest those who are selling the poisonous product as foodstuff to the public.

He said the state government, in line with its agenda for agricultural revolution would partner with the IITA and Harvestfield to boost the use of Aflasafe by farmers as the product is climate-friendly and sustainable for farmers.

He explained that the Ministry is meeting with stakeholders to strategise the right way to sell it and to send the stakeholders to their various communities to sensitise their members about the contents of Aflasafe and how it is dangerous for consumption.

A food safety scientist with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Titilayo Falade, explained that the Aflasafe was developed by the IITA to address the challenges posed by Aflatoxins which are the most poisonous natural toxins known to man.

“Aflasafe is a solution that prevents exposure to aflatoxins in our diets. It’s a nature-based solution, green technology, and eco-friendly. It is applied 30 to 40 days after planting crops, once it is broadcasted on the field and the field gets mixture, the natural organisms that have been coated onto the sorghum grain can go into the farm and offer protection to crops pre-harvest.

“Aflasafe prevents accumulation of Aflatoxins pre-harvest and continues to provide protection post-harvest as exposure of aflatoxins starts pre-harvest and continues post-harvest. It also reduces exposure of consumers and animals to these dietary toxins.”

Falade also reiterated that chronic exposure to Aflatoxins in a person’s diet could lead to liver cancer, and reduces immunity.

The Chief Operating Officer, Harvestfield, Dr. Abdullahi Ndarubu, appealed to the state government to consider Aflasafe as a key agricultural input for farmers due to its benefit for crop vitality and in the long run, the productivity of farmers in Nigeria.

He recommended the inclusion of Aflasafe among products procured under subsidy by the state government.

Some residents of Masaka, Nasarawa State, yesterday bemoaned the lack of power supply to the area, while also lamenting over the cost of using generating set.

The residents, who expressed their pains in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), described their agony as unbearable.

They complained that they have had to live in darkness for over three months.

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Mrs Lovina Elisha, a housewife, expressed unhappiness over the situation while calling for an immediate intervention from relevant authorities.

She said lack of power supply had given merchants using alternative power supply to extort those who patronise them for services relating to power.

Elisha said: “In the absence of electricity, I take my phone to charging centres and they charge as much as N200 because they use fuel in their generating sets, which even costs more.

“This had been our plight for a while now. We need those in charge to come to our rescue because it is becoming unbearable.

“If this will continue, I may have to dump my phone at home and go without it because I am just a housewife and do not have a source of income.’’

Similarly, another resident, Mr Ebuka James, said the situation has rendered some electrical appliances useless in several households.

He said that most people could not afford to store perishable goods in fridges or freezers anymore because of the inconsistent power supply.

This, he added, had cost so many households the loss of food.

Another resident, Mr Timothy Dara, who operates a phone charging centre, said the situation was doing more harm than good to his business.

According to him, business boomed more when electricity is inconsistent and fuel is affordable for those with generating sets to alternate.

He, however, said that the inconsistent power supply alongside the hike in price of fuel made business slow and frustrating for all.

“At first, with the inconsistent power supply, people patronised me because I charged as low as N50, but now, because of the hike in fuel price, I had no option than to increase my charges.

“Unfortunately, I don’t get customers again because I charge as high as N200 per phone.

“Sometimes, I am forced to reduce it from N200 to N150 because not everyone can afford to pay N200 to charge a phone, with the drastic challenges in the country,” he said.

   An official of the electricity company in Kuchikau area of the state, Mr Rownald Peter, told NAN that the power outage in the area was due to a technical fault from the power feeder serving the area.

He said: “Our engineers are currently working hard to restore power there. We plead for more patience from the people as all hands are on deck to get everything back to normal.”

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule yesterday sworn-in 16 commissioners who were confirmed by the  state House of Assembly

Sule urged them to shun corruption and key into his administration’s vision of transparency, accountability and rule of law.

He urged the new commissioners to justify the confidence the government reposed in them.

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The governor announced Hon. Yakubu Kwanta as Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, from Akwanga LGA, Aishatu Rufai- Commissioner for Women Affairs from Awe LGA, Umar Abubakar Dan’akano, Commissioner for Agriculture, Awe LGA,  Munirat Abdullahi –Commissioner for Finance from  Doma, LGA, Timothy Kasuwa as Commissioner for Special Duties on Security and Public Matters, Karu LGA, Ja’afaru Ango- Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Karu LGA.

Others are Margaret Elayo as Commissioner for Special Duties on Humanitarian Services and NGOs, Keana LGA, Bala Mulki- Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development – Keffi LGA and John D. W Mamman as Commissioner for Education from  Kokona LGA.

Abubakar Imam Zanwa from Lafia LGA was given Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Mr Samuel Kafu Emgba  as Commissioner for Science and Technology Lafia LGA, Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Nasarawa LGA, Muhammed Iyimoga as Commissioner for Trade and Investment Obi LGA, Barr. Labaran Magaji  Commissioner for Justice Toto LGA, Dr. Gaza Gwamna as Commissioner for Health- Toto LGA, Mu’azu Gosho as Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport Wamba LGA,” he said

The Adamawa State Police Command has made phone numbers of Divisional Police officers (DPOs) available for residents to call in times of security emergencies.

The numbers of 51 DPOs in the 21 local government areas were published in a statement obtained by our correspondent yesterday.

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 The command said in the statement that the numbers would ensure seamless responses to distress calls to be made by the public and aid optimal protection of lives and property by the Police.

In the statement signed by spokesman of the state command, SP Sulaiman Nguroje, the Police urged the people to call the phone numbers of the DPO covering their area when they come under any form of attack or threats of attack.

The statement also charged the residents to monitor and report any suspicious act or acts of violence by unscrupulous persons or group of persons capable of disrupting public peace.

“This is part of Command’s effort to achieve the strategy of responding to distress calls and deal with miscreant or group of miscreants in any part of the state.

“Members of the public are please enjoined to call phone numbers of DPOs covering the area of their location to report any security breach around their neighborhood,” the statement said.

The numbers include (1) DPO TOUNGO 08065124220, (2) DPO Karewa 09032215921, (3) DPO Girei 07033131950, (4) DPO J/Lamba 07033364880, (5) DPO Demsa 08037467327, (6) DPO Mubi South. 08032753144, (7) DPO Mayo Belwa 08027957667, (8) DPO Daware, 08136100583, (9) DPO Savanna 07060596545, (10) DPO Mubi North 08060509242, (11) DPO Gyewana 08065659045, (12) DPO Jambutu 08065776682, (13) DPO Michika 08140833512, (14) DPO Kojoli 08030509724, (15) DPO Gurin 08031552268, (16) DPO Kala’a 08066971142, (17) DPO Jimeta    09036784277, and (18) DPO UBA Hildi 09065482449.

The others include (19) DPO Jada 08038297694, (20) DPO Ganye 08035667884, (21) DPO Dougirei 08034625154, (22) DPO Bajabure   08060071387, (23) DPO Yolde Pate 08035928930, (24) DPO Shagar 08068572875, (25) DPO Malabu 09074441421, (26) DPO Yola 08067581936, (27) DPO Numan 07067736060, (28) DPO Viniklang 09132887959, (29) DPO Gombi  08065470805 (30) DPO Doubeli 08035620349, (31) DPO Hong 08033920766, (32) DPO Airport 08035414949 and (33) DPO Madagali 08078104304.

The others are (34) DPO Bazza 09154898194, (35) DPO N/Jereng 0803 647 6428, (36) DPO Song 08089097496,

(37) DPO Maiha 08126770046, (38) DPO Maraba Mubi 08069270942, (39) DPO Guyuk 08066418382, (40) DPO Shelleng 08039672715, (41) DPO Fufore 08064573742, (42) DPO Ngurore 08034645512, (43) DPO SAROU 09128215824, (44) DPO Tigno 07037582900, (45) DPO Kofare 08033460760, 46) DPO Lafiya 09039293965, (47) DPO Lamurde 08036496812, (48) DPO Kiri 08067658933, (49) DPO Garkida 07031681476, (50) DPO Borong 08164787826, and (51) DPO Dumne 09043178115

Third lead

Bauchi governor reads riot act to new commissioners

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has warned the newly sworn-in commissioners that he would not hesitate to sanction or send them packing if found.

Mohammed stated this in Bauchi yesterday during the swearing-in of the 24 new commissioners.

He called on the commissioners to eschew corruption and resist the temptation to abuse their offices.

While drawing their attention to the need for loyalty to the government and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mohammed advised that accountability and transparency should be their guiding principles.

“It should be made known to you that you have not been appointed to enrich yourselves or pursue selfish political ambitions.

“What is required of you is sacrifice and selfless services.

 “No commissioner is better than the other, no commissioner is more senior than the other. In my government, there is no prime minister and all commissioners are equal.

“You should also know that you’re stakeholders in the state and your local governments.

“This requires that you continuously collaborate with party leaders, local government chairmen, legislators at the national and state level, traditional and religious leaders,” he said.

Mohammed further explained that such a collaboration is important to reduce mistrust, suspicion and to create synergy.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Yakubu Adamu, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, appreciated the governor for the honour given to them.

He assured the governor that they would work and succeed together in making the state a better place for all.

The National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has advised elected lawmakers under the party’s platform in the Kano State House of Assembly to cooperate with Governor Abba Yusuf-led New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) administration.

He said their cooperation was required for the development of the state and its people.

The chairman, who is the immediate past governor of the state, counselled the 14 APC lawmakers in the Kano House of Assembly, who visited Abuja yesterday.

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Advising the lawmakers, Ganduje said: “I salute you so far for your contribution to the development of democracy and in particular your critical development of Kano state. The state governor is of a different political party but I want you to know that the whole essence of politics is the development of the people. I urge you irrespective of the different political parties to cooperate with the state governor for the development of Kano State.

“That does not prevent you from maintaining your position as members of the state assembly, it does not stop us from working together to have a government of APC in Kano State. What is most important is for the people of Kano state to get the dividends of democracy.

“I want you to work peacefully with the government in Kano state and I assure you that we will provide you with all encouragement so that we get more and more members of the state assembly and also until we get the governor of our party.”

The chairman commended President Ahmed Tinubu for being magnanimous with the state by granting two ministerial slots to Kano State.”

According to the Chairman, “Mr President has shown so far that he takes Kano state seriously by appointing Deputy Senate President from Kano, two ministers designate, even member in charge of appropriation and to top it all the national chairman is from Kano. So, you can see that Mr President takes Kano seriously. This is because he knows if you are looking for votes during the election you can come to Kano.”

Earlier the leader of the lawmakers, Hon. Musa Ali Kachako of Takai constituency, said they were in Abuja to declare their support to the Chairman who was their governor for two terms.

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has redesigned its 30 per cent of the new Core Academic Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) for universities to boost skill acquisition of students and employability of graduates, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas has said.

He also said the university authority has introduced various measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on staff and ameliorate the impact of the recent registration fees hike on students.

The Vice-Chancellor spoke during a visit by a delegation of the Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ECAN) at the Main Campus of the University in Kano.

ECAN’s delegation from Abuja was led by the Chairman of the association, Chuks Ukwuatu, who commended the Vice Chancellor in ensuring the visibility of the University, especially as BUK was ranked as fourth in Nigeria in recent global ranking coming after University of Ibadan, University of Lagos and Covenant University.

The vice – chancellor expressed concerns about the high level of graduate unemployment in Nigeria among whom some industries and employers described as “unemployable.”

He noted that to address the challenge, universities should redesign their curricula, saying the new core curriculum developed by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for universities gives 30 per cent to institutions to design based on their peculiarities.

Adamu-Abbas added that apart from establishing Skill Acquisition Centre in the Students Welfare department, where students go to learn any trade, experts were also hired from outside Centres to train students on specific entrepreneurial skills not provided at the Centre.

The VC said: “Nigerian universities, not just BUK, have to redesign their curriculum. But I believe, you know that NUC has already commenced that and we have already keyed-in and we have already submitted our 30 per cent curriculum review to NUC.

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“We factored industry and professional bodies in designing the 30% curriculum. That was what we did and submitted to NUC. When students graduate, they can easily fit into the industries or they can create something on their own.”

Recall that NUC, while launching the new curriculum recently announced that the Commission only developed 70 per cent of the CCMAS leaving 30 per cent for each university to develop in line with the peculiarities.

Speaking on the increase of registration fees, the Vice – Chancellor, lamented that the cost of running the institution was enormous, especially the high cost of provision of electricity, which he estimated about 75 million monthly.

He revealed that the bill for electricity was about N35 million monthly while the bill for purchase of diesel for generators was about 40 million.

The VC said the management was forced to increase the registration because it was practically impossible to provide social services to a student population around 45,000, including postgraduate and staff population of over 5,000, teaching and non-teaching.

He, however, said the increment was done in full consultation with staff unions including members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) among others and students.

He revealed that the University also introduced welfare packages for their staff such as non-interest loans from Microfinance banks payable within six months.

“Other incentives introduced to cushion the effect of the increase in fuel price that has caused the high price of commodities, were provision of foodstuffs, shuttle buses, bicycle loans for junior staff payable within nine months at a cheaper rate,” he said.

He also disclosed that the university equally introduced a kind of job scheme for students, whereby they were engaged to render some services to the university and they were paying N15,000 monthly

He said: “This does not affect their normal learning because it does not take much of their time as some were to clean some surroundings or render certain services within the university and got paid at the end of the month.”

According to him, at the initial stage when this was introduced, over 2,000 students applied, while 120 of them got the offer, disclosing that the number would be increased to 150 during the new recruitment that would be done immediately after the students resume on the campus.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has inaugurated the Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital, Kofar Kudu.

 The hospital, which has 86 beds, was established in 1990 but was abandoned and its equipment stolen, it was learnt.

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The governor said the facility, which has been renovated by his administration, could receive and treat over 5,000 patients from Kano and beyond daily.

It was gathered the hospital offers treatment of paediatric, surgery, immunisation, nutritional services and research.

Yusuf said the rehabilitation of the hospital was in fulfilment of his campaign promise to ensure the people of the state benefit from the facility.

“We have equipped the hospital with state-of-the-art equipment to provide high-quality healthcare delivery for our people,” Yusuf said.

The governor said he was dismayed that the previous administration closed down the hospital, in spite of its importance.

The state government warned that his government would not tolerate indiscipline from any staff, saying that he had directed the redeployment of personnel to ensure effective service delivery.

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, urged the people who are beneficiaries of the hospital, to make judicious use of the facility.Commissioner for Health, Dr Labaran Yusuf, applauded Governor Yusuf’s foresight and commitment in ensuring that the facility is restored.

“Absenteeism, lateness or lackadaisical attitude toward hospital services would not be condoned in Kano and anyone or group found wanting would be dealt with,” Director-General of Kano State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda warned.