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The Story of an Igbo man behind the building of the first private Hospital in Kano. Late Dr. Madueke Ugwunze.

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Jamilu Uba Adamu

Some years ago, (in late 50’s) some big companies and wealthy men formed an organisation in Kano for the purpose of contributing funds to build a second Hospital in Kano to obviate the excruciating congestion at the General Hospital in Kano city, (presently renamed in honor of Former Nigeria head of State Late Gen.Murtala Ramat Muhammad).

The first target of the organization whose name was “Kano Voluntary Hospital Society” was for a £25,00 hospital and clinic. The Society’s Chairman was Prince Alh Ado Sunusi, the then Dan Iyan Kano, and it’s Secretary was Mr. Micheal A. Agbamuche, Barrister-at-Law.

The members Kano Voluntary Hospital Society were 28: Alh. Ado Sunusi,Alh. Haruna Kassim, E.N Grey, J.R. Jones,F.E. Okonkwo, T.U. Akwule, J.B. Egbe, M.A. Agbamuche, Dr. I. S. Audu, Alh. Baba Dan Babangu, H.E. Okena, E.L. Thomas, C. Anueyiagu, J.N.O Ugoji, C.A. Duru, S. Racca, Messrs Abed Brothers, P.A. David, C.A. Jones Okpala, British and French Bank, Bank of the North, U.A.C of Nigeria Ltd, Messrs Irving and Bonnar, M.O. Okoye, Ali Shout and Sons, F.A. Thanni, Alh. Baba Dan Bappa, and A.N. Obiora.

” The aim of the society is to subscribe to and foster the setting up a voluntary and privately supported general clinic and children’s Hospital in Kano.

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“This was thought desirable to augument the over worked Hospitals and clinics of Native Authority and Government in Kano”. It reads in one of handbills distributed to enlighten the members of public.

Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory (1917-1992):Nigeria’s Islamic Scholar Who Wrote Over 100 Books And Journals

There was a wide publicity about the business and intention of the society. But, to the utter surprised of highly interested public at that time the organization failed to actualize it’s intention to build the first private Hospital in Kano.

The Kano Voluntary Hospital Society announced it’s folding up on November 3, 1962, it said that there wasn’t enough response from the public on its appeals for finance. There the the grandiose scheme died.

The failed efforts of the Kano Voluntary Hospital Society was fulfilled by an an Igbo man Late Dr. Madueke Ugwunze.

His Private Hospital Sahara Hospital located in Sabon Gari Area, Kano, was formerly opened on November 30th, 1963 by the late Emir of Kano Alh. Ado Bayero.

Late Dr. Ugwunze worked as medical officer in charge of Kano City General Hospital (present asibitin Murtala) between 1962-1963, earlier he was Medical officer,Yola in 1961, and medical Officer, Makurdi.

An ex-student of the Dennis memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. He studied at the University of Bristol in 1952 and University College Hospital, Ibadan where he served his housemanship both in medicine and surgery in 1960.

In those days his clients in Kano, include large number of leading firms that comprise’s: Nigerian Airways, Bank of the North, U.T.C, S.C.O.A. United Bank For Africa, H.W. Romain and Sons, Yorkshire Insurance company, Steel Construction Limited and more.

So, whenever you spot private hospital building or signboard in Kano, remember Dr. Ugwunze, he is the pioneer.

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Kaduna 2027: Governor Uba Sani Replaces Deputy, Names Jerry Adams as Running Mate

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a major political realignment ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has officially nominated the Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, as his new running mate.

The announcement, made on Tuesday via a personally signed statement, effectively signals the end of the ticket with the current Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who also served as Deputy to former Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his second term.

Governor Sani framed the decision as more than a political calculation, describing it as a “reaffirmation” of his administration’s core philosophy of inclusive governance.

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“This decision is far greater than the selection of a deputy governorship candidate. It is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided our administration since I took the oath of office on 29 May 2023; the values of inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and the unwavering conviction that every citizen of Kaduna State deserves a genuine sense of belonging,” the Governor stated.

Addressing the state’s complex socio-political landscape, Sani noted that Kaduna’s rich diversity in ethnicity, religion, and culture should be a source of strength rather than division. He reflected on the state’s history, emphasizing the need to learn from past conflicts.

“Our history has taught us difficult lessons about the heavy cost of division, mistrust and exclusion. Yet it has also shown us that when we choose dialogue over discord, inclusion over alienation and justice over prejudice, our people achieve extraordinary things together,” he added.

The Governor touted his administration’s track record over the last three years as evidence of this commitment, citing equitable distribution of developmental projects across the state’s 23 local government areas. Key sectors highlighted include road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, rural development, and social protection programs.

The nomination of Jerry Adams, who currently oversees the state’s revenue generation, signals a potential shift in the administration’s focus toward economic consolidation and fiscal expansion as it prepares for the 2027 electoral contest.

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No Sin in Politics’ Wike Says as Fubara Returns to Rainbow Coalition

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

FCT minister Nyesom Wike has welcomed the return of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to his political side, declaring the latter has corrected his mistakes.

He said this in Abuja on Tuesday after inspecting the project, alongside the ongoing construction of the service carriageways of the Southern Parkway in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Reacting to the Rivers governor’s recent declaration about his return to the Rainbow Coalition and pledge of complete loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Mr Wike said, “There is no sin in politics.”

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The minister further stated, “If someone realises he made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that.

“What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and deciding to take the right path.”

The minister, who welcomed Mr Fubara back into his political fold, insisted that the governor had “no other choice” than to return to the political family that brought him to power.

Mr Wike explained that the Rivers governor’s decision to align with his political camp publicly was a step in the right direction, adding that the reconciliation would strengthen support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him,” Mr Wike stated.

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Aminu Magashi Donates Relief Materials to Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre Inmates

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The Technical Adviser to the Kano State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, has donated relief materials, including blankets, food items, and essential drugs, to inmates of the Bichi Female Rehabilitation Centre following the destruction caused by a recent rainstorm.

Dr. Magashi made the donation during a visit to the facility on Sunday, July 26, accompanied by officials of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), led by its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi Kubarachi.

The visit followed a heavy rainstorm that damaged parts of the rehabilitation centre, leaving several buildings in need of urgent repairs. During the inspection, Dr. Magashi interacted with staff and female inmates while assessing the extent of the destruction.

He observed that the rainstorm had blown off the roofs of several female accommodation blocks, while sections of the perimeter fence had collapsed, creating serious safety and security concerns for the facility.

In response to the situation, Dr. Magashi commended the Kano State Emergency Management Agency for its swift intervention, particularly the decision to temporarily relocate all female inmates to a dedicated and secured section within the Bichi Male Rehabilitation Centre.

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According to SEMA, the temporary relocation was undertaken to safeguard the lives and welfare of the inmates while rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damaged facility are carried out.

Dr. Magashi described the agency’s response as timely and necessary, noting that the safety and well-being of vulnerable persons in government care should remain a top priority.

He also pledged to support SEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in convening a strategic stakeholders’ meeting aimed at reviewing the incident and strengthening emergency response mechanisms across rehabilitation centres in the state.

The meeting, he said, would provide an opportunity to mobilize additional support from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, and development partners to improve SEMA’s capacity in managing the 13 rehabilitation centres under its supervision.

Dr. Magashi highlighted his continued commitment to supporting humanitarian interventions across Kano State, recalling that he had previously visited six of the state’s 13 rehabilitation centres where he donated drugs and food items to inmates.

He added that he had also sponsored a one-day capacity-building training for health workers serving in the rehabilitation centres to improve healthcare delivery to inmates.

The Technical Adviser expressed appreciation to the Executive Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing him to serve in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, pledging to continue supporting initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable residents across the state.If you’d like, I can also make it follow the exact Nigerian Tracker house style with a stronger lead, subhead, and editor-ready formatting.

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