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.
“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.
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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.
