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Na’Allah’s Transformational and Prudent Leadership in University of Abuja

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*By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo*

The Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah is an excellent administrator going by his track record from his days as the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University,Malete.You may decide to refer to him as a professor but I will call him an astute administrator with uncommon prudence and transformational leadership.

Personally,I have never heard of his name in any quarters before since I’m not working in an ivory tower either locally or internationally.But his appointment as the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Kwara state university, by Bukola Saraki’s administration brought him to lime light.Before I will extensively discuss his achievements,I think it will be appropriate I venture into his life’s sojourn a bit.

Professor Na’Allah was born 1962.He started his early education at the Demonstration 1 Primary School, Sokoto,where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1976 and Government Teachers’ College,Birnin Yauri,for his Teachers’Grade II Certificate in 1981.He had his Bachelor of Arts(Hons) English and Education from University of Ilorin in 1988 and MA Literature in English in 1992 from the same institution.He received his Ph.D in Comparative Literature from the University of Alberta,Edmonton,
Canada.He was Professor and Chair of African -American Studies at Western Illinois University.

Interestingly, Kwara State University today is on the right pedestal because of the monumental foundation put in place by Professor Na’Allah.You cannot discuss progress of that Ivory tower without making a reference to Na’allah’s astute administrative skills and inputs.The Ilorin born Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja is not only a professor but also an embodiment of leadership quality and excellence.

As a distinguished Scholar, Professor Na’Allah is the Author of over 25 books and chapters in books,and several scholarly works.He is a reviewer for several national and international journals; and has published in reputable peer -reviewed journals as well as supervised several Ph.D candidates.A well -travelled academic,he has attended over 50 conference within the country and abroad.

He became a fellow of the literary Society of Nigeria in 2014 and that of Nigeria Academy of Letters in 2019.He is also a member of ten different Learned Societies/Professional Bodies such as the Canadian Comparative Literature Association; African Studies Association; International Comparative Literature Association;and the Association of Nigerian Authors.

More importantly, Na’Allah has won several awards including Vice-Chancellor of the Year 2020 award by Stardom Global Television (STGV) and Most Outstanding Vice Chancellor 2021 award by Elites Exclusive Magazine.

He has rendered numerous services to Local, national and international communities including as the Team Leader,Local Team for for Kwara State Agricultural Mechanization Master Plan Committee,Kwara State Government, April to June,2012;Chief Organizer, Literature in Northern Nigeria,2010 till date;Convener,34th African Literature Association Annual Conference,at WIU,USA, April 22-27,2008; and as Member, Local Arrangement Committee,51st African Studies Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois,USA, November 13 to 16 ,2008.

*How he has transformed UofA*.

Na’Allah became the Sixth substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja on 1st July,2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.His appointment was approved by the Governing Council, University of Abuja at its 53rd Extra -Ordinary Meeting held on Friday 28th June on the Main Campus.

*Academic Development* is a prominent aspect of University administration as it assists to usher in enabling environment and ehance academic excellence . Despite the distruption of the system by the outbreak of COVID-19 he ensured that the sanctity of the academic calendar was maintained.Within the first two years in office about 15 programmes of the University were accredited under Na’Allah ‘s administration.

He introduced new General Studies (GST) courses to improve students’ entrepreneurial background, business and innovative capacities;and encourage mentoring of students by successful global entrepreneurs, and develop business plans/ideas and registration of such potential companies/businesses with the Corporate Affairs Commission before graduation.This is in order because in Nigeria of today and any where in the world Government cannot employ all citizens.The major responsibility of the government is to create an enabling environment for private businesses to flourish so that they can employ as many as possible.In the 21st Century entrepreneurship is the real deal and Professor Na’Allah understands this.

About 21 New Centres have been created and 2 New Departments also from Faculty of Law.

*Research Development*

The University is a centre of research and any such institution worths its versatility must provide enabling environment for research projects.Between 2019 and 2021 , several research grants worth over 500 million Naira had come into the university through the doggedness of some academic staff .In the last couple of years, research has had a very big boost especially through the Centre for sponsored Projects,headed by *Professor Eunice Obiagelli Nnodu*, which was set up by the Vice Chancellor for enhancement of research opportunities.

*Infrastructural Development*

There has been infrastructural Development especially on the Main Campus of University of Abuja.These works have been approved by the administration of Na’Allah and carried out with due diligence and in in compliance with ethical and best practices.Some projects have been completed, while some are still ongoing or nearing completion.The following Projects have been completed:
Academic Office Building, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
500 Capacity Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences Building Phase 1
Faculty of Arts Building Phase II
250 Capacity Lecture Theatre, Faculty of Agriculture
Provision of Sporting Facilities: Basket ball, Volley ball and practice pitch
Two numbers of Twin Lecture Halls
Feed Mill for faculty of Agriculture
Partitioning/ furnishing and provision of studio for CDL and CE.

Construction of Security Fence at the Main Campus is 75 percent completion and many others that are still under construction.

A staff of the University who craved for anonymity said the Vice Chancellor has done creditably well in terms of infrastructure.He said, ” on your way coming into the campus you can see a lot of projects completed and some still ongoing ; that is a testament that Na’Allah is doing well”

*Capacity Building*

Professor Na’Allah’s administration has created an enabling environment for employees to acquire more strategic knowledge, develop the right thinking capacity and their level of competency so that they can contribute effectively to the development of the University.Hence several trainings have taken place across several units,centres etc.
He also created a healthy and safe learning campus environment, promoted well-being in the school community,as well as students’ welfare thus enhancing students’ learning and a balanced development of their lives in general.Several in-house trainings,anchored by ITMS for students in several areas of endeavours.
In 2020 the first Student Leadership Conference (maiden edition) was organised by the Students Affairs Division which drew participants from various tertiary institutions across the country.

No fewer than 37 students of UofA have been awarded scholarship by the federal government to help in paying their school fees.Though this is by the federal government,it was made possible through the enabling atmosphere created by the Na’Allah’s administration.

It is imperative to say that eight students of University of Abuja received a grant of 2.2 million Naira to undertake research in their various fields of study.Awarded through the Centre for Undergraduate Research,headed by *Dr Taibat Atoyebi*.

To corroborate this feat,here is what Director,Institute of Education University of Abuja, *Professor Hauwa Imam* said about the Vice Chancellor,” Na’Allah is a firm believer in the postive effects of manpower development that he has instituted several capacity building-programmes and organised workshops for the re-orientation and training of staff.Staff are now using digital technologies,teach in a virtual space (such as zoom and google meeting), upload examination results online;and opportunities avail for virtual attendance of meetings and active participation online, etc.
He is dedicated to the promotion of scholarship through the creation of a conducive environment for effective teaching -learning,excellence in research and making an impact through community service
One more thing about Na ‘Allah is that he is driven by high performance such that he is impatient with slow actions,delayed results,and sloppy output.When he assigns one a responsibility,he demands perfection.For this reason,it is felt in some quarters that he micro-manages people.He has raised the bar in standards of operations in the university.
Additionally,he is extremely prudent with operational resources and takes fiscal responsibility seriously.He often times strikes a balance between requirements and meeting basic needs”.

Admission process of candidates under Na’Allah’s administration into the university is most transparent.It is a shift from pre-2019 where there were admission racketeering but today the process has significantly changed for better.The admission process is now reflecting the cosmopolitan status of the University of Abuja as the University for National Unity.In terms of hostel accommodation for students the Vice-Chancellor has also stopped the practice of racketeering as transparent hostel allocation has been introduced.

*Community Relations*

It is significant to say that Under Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah’s administration the hitherto frosty relationship between the university and communities has been improved upon through setting up of the Centre for Community Development, headed by Dr Sunday Dada.The Centre was created as a channel for the university to contribute her quota in the development of the host community as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, there by helping to provide supports to the rural communities in the areas of health, education,water supply, infrastructural development,in collaboration with multinational organizations,Non Governmental Organizations, Philanthropists and others who are interested in the community development.

Here is what *Professor E.S Garba*, the provost College of Health Sciences, University of Abuja said about Professor Na’Allah in the University publication, when the Vice-Chancellor marked two years in office: “I’m highly delighted to witness these giant strides in developments,a testimony of his transformation agenda.I believe before the end of his tenure;he would have transformed the University into a citadel of learning which can compete favourably with others in the world.
According to Anthony Robbins,”there is no greatness without a passion to be great”. Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah is ” driven by passion, commitment to excellence and intelligent planning which constitute vital factors to genuine success.Leaving a positive legacy is the outcome of excellent leadership.Such leadership finishes well”.He concluded.

In the same vein,The Head Of Department of Library and information science UofA , *Professor AbdulGaniy Okanla Ahmed* captured Na’Allah’s leadership dexterity thus: “Professor Na’Allah has catalogue of experience which has made leadership quality to manifest in him. without any doubt he can relate with any set of people in a way to achieve administrative excellence”

He can also be described as a workaholic Vice Chancellor,this could be deduced from the account of him by the Head of Department, Tourism and Hospitality, UofA, *Dr (Mrs) Elizabeth Babagbale* -FIH.She said:

“Our VC, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, is a well cultured man with integrity and great foresight. I describe him as a cultured man because he condescends to people’s level and deals with all as individuals without looking down on any. I was first privileged to meet him in 2012 during the one- on- one interview that got me a lecturing job at the Kwara State University. Professor Naallah is a go-getter who does not compromise quality. His fair judgement and recognition for hard work brought me to the University of Abuja 9 months ago. Within this period, the University has expanded with additional 26 new departments which successfully passed Verification exercise of the National Universities Commission in August this year; one of which is my department, Tourism and Hospitality Management. However, more are still coming on stream, such as the Entrepreneurship department. At the moment, Accreditation program is ongoing with 24 various departments. His achievements were possible as the University environment continuously enjoys peace and tranquillity. Our VC collaborates amicably by operating open door policy with both the staff and students. He can be reached any time of the day. Whether you are a student or lecturer, if he receives your email even at midnight, he responds to it before daybreak. He deals diligently with everyone with passion, no matter how difficult the situation is. His welfare support to the staff is worthy of note. As an indigent student in the UK, I received financial support from my University through study- work support programme, our VC has introduced same to Uniabuja and we can see smiles on the faces of these students as they go round to render services to the departments they are working for during their free periods. This helps students to learn and appreciate that there is dignity in labour”

The plausible thing about Professor Na’Allah’s giant strides in University of Abuja is his ability to attract development despite paucity of funds.It is not an exaggeration if one recommends the Ilorin born professor for greater responsibility in future, because of his prudent style of leadership.

It is equally important to say that this piece of mine didn’t capture everything Na’Allah has done to change the fortune of UofA to a new height.Meaning there are other numerous positive things not mentioned here.

Nobody can talk about ability to get things done pragmatically without making reference to knowledge and integrity.This is the combination of what the Almighty has blessed Professor Na’Allah with,hence is making a difference as an academic and administrator.

By way of conclusion, Na’Allah’s leadership trajectory is not a coincidence but as a result of hard work, pragmatism, prudence and tenacity.I pray to Allah to guide, guard, and protect him in his endeavour.

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Kano Women Battle for Bed Spaces at Major Hospitals, Leaving Many Stranded or Worse – Dead

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Baby Amina is yet to cry over a week after her birth, as no bed available at tertiary health facilities

Aisha Ahmad Ismail

It was a dark day for Malama Khadija, who despite heavy bleeding with no pads on has been on the road for almost 8 hours, seeking help for a baby that has not cried a day after birth even after visiting 9 hospitals in Kano.

The new mother was forced to ride in her husband’s tricycle, ignoring the dripping blood as they went to 9 hospitals, none accepted them for mainly reasons of bed space

Khadija birthed a girl on Monday, when health care workers at asibitin Bela noticed the child did not cry, and later referred them to Hasiya Bayero Pediatric Hospital for better access to professionals.

Here, a security guard asked them to ‘not waste their time’ as they do not care for children who did not cry at birth.

Other hospitals, the new parents visited Murtala Muhammad specialist where the father said the child was first checked, and her legs pinched with ‘something’.
They were later asked to leave for lack of bed space, and referred to another hospital.

The worried mother held the little girl now named Aminatu as they headed to Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital. There, the doctors refused to attend to the child because they were on strike.

Malam Bala, the new father and a tricycle rider told this reporter that a police officer threatened to shoot a doctor for delayed attendance to his daughter born with similar condition to his. Doctors asked them to leave.

The brave new parents jostled the new born to another pediatric hospital; Sheikh Khalifa Isyaku Rabiu Pediatrics Hospital along Zoo Road, and their hopes were raised when a doctor started checking on her. A few minutes later, she came up with the same answer as the specialist hospital – no bed space.

Again, they left for Aminu Kano Teaching hospital with the help of a philanthropist they met on their long, hope dashing journey, Hajiya Binta and like before, there was no available bed space.

The parents, exhausted but not giving up on their child, went to a private health facility, where a bed space costs N10,000 per night, something the father said he could not afford if not for the charitable efforts of Hajiya Binta.

With her help, they paid for file N5,000, tests to be run on little Aminatu N6,000, drugs cost N15,000 and an injection N4,000.

He said they were able to spend just one night, as the expenses were much and he had to owe the hospital N21, 000.
Little Aminatu did not cry 7 days after her birth at which was the time of filing this report, and her parents are at home hoping one day, she would cry or stay quiet forever.

Khadija’s case is amongst the many maternal health related complications in the state; in Sept. 2022, a lady, Zainab lost her child and her life at Murtala Muhammad Specialist hospital; in February 2023, a woman now late Hajiya Shema’u Sani Labaran bled to death due to lack of cash at hand for treatments.
In 2024, an investigation by Solace base led to a whole community of women at Mazan Gudu community, Gabasawa LGA who survive pregnancy and childbirth on luck.

These are not isolated cases; but few of the many increasing preventable deaths at childbirth. According to UNICEF in 2018, Nigeria contributes 14% of global maternal deaths. The global body says at least 262, 000 babies die at birth, as the infant mortality rate stands at 69% per 1,000 births.

According to the National Health Care Development Agency 145 women die daily at childbirth in the country, with the highest figures coming from Northern Nigeria.

The staggering figures of maternal mortality and morbidity must have alarmed the Kano state government, leading to finding ways to ease the burden, amongst which is the creation of the Kano State Health Trust Fund created in 2017.
Women Die at Birth Despite Government’s Claimed Enhanced Funding
“I just returned from the burial of a woman who died from childbirth complications, the child is alive and hearty.”

This is the response of the Ja’en ward head, located at Sharada, Gwale LG, Isma’il Sa’ad Usman to the question of maternal mortality and morbidity is his domain.

He said he is not entirely sure why, but despite government’s interventions and NGOs, maternal deaths are not uncommon in many areas in Kano, including his.

Our trip to the primary health care in the area was really short, as health officers were ‘afraid’ of the media.

The Ja'en PHC was bustling with women hoping to get ante-natal care

The Ja’en PHC was bustling with women hoping to get ante-natal care

However, one officer who spoke briefly said women at the local level are wising up to accessing health facilities like theirs, adding that the state has trained officers enabling them to quickly refer to complicated births to higher facilities.
Interviews at some primary health care facilities reveal reduced death rates at the facilities.

A tour of Gwagwarwa primary health care showed women showing up for antenatal as health personnel move around to cater for their needs.

A health personnel at the facility who spoke on anonymously said though there are deaths at childbirth or after due to complications, they mostly occur at secondary and tertiary institutions or at home.

 

Image 3 . Women attending ante natal at Gwagwarwa PHC

Women attending ante natal at Gwagwarwa PHC

The health officer revealed that whenever a complication arises from birth, they are quick to refer to more qualified facilities, but lack of bed spaces of money for basic things make the patients return home, only to later die from preventable health complications.

According to the source, they have heard stories of deaths of either mother and child, or one of the two afterwards.

The village head of Gama, Malam Rabi’u Muhd Isyaku said people are poor, and have resorted to seeking help from Friday mosques or radio stations to treat maternal health problems.

He said there are reports of maternal mortality, but it hardly goes public as they are mostly recorded at home.

“I am always heart broken when I hear a plea for help to cater for a pregnant woman during or after birth,” he added.
Nurse Laments Maternal Mortality; Blames Shortage of Staff .

Nurse Maimuna works at one of the government hospitals in Kano, she said they have recorded deaths at different stages of childbirth.

She said they have recorded deaths due to obstructed labor and prolonged labor that comes late to the hospital.

The nurse added that some women labor (active labor) for 20-30 hours, contrary to the ‘normal’ hours, leading to eventual deaths of both mother and child, or just the child.

Nurse Maimuna lamented how they are overwhelmed with patients that they skip women who are in need in urgent help or C-section.

She has witnessed few women die due to work overload that distracts health personnel at tertiary some institutions.
KHETFUND: Improved Maternal Health Care Promises Fulfilled?

In 2017, the Kano government led by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje championed the State Trust Fund to help augment the state budget on health, including maternal and newborn health.
Speaking with this reporter, the former state health commissioner, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa said the law mandates 5% of the fund’s money to the health sector.

He said from the time of Governors Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso to Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and Abdullahi Ganduje, there has been a free birth and post birth policy which all governments sustained irrespective of political ideologies.

Former health commissioner Kano, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa

Former health commissioner Kano, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa

However, there are times when the budget funds are not released on time, or the government is starved of cash, thus the 5% of the fund to ensure the maternal and childbirth ‘always’ gets the necessary attention and funds.
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Also speaking with this reporter, the director operations, KHETFUND, Dr. Muhamad Lawan Adamu said the 5% for maternal and children is on standing order and has never been delayed, unlike funds meant for hospitals- from primary to tertiary, institutions and others.

According to him, the 5% is handed over to the Kano Hospitals Management Board monthly.

According to another official of KHETFUND, Hamisu Abubakar who is the director admin and services, there has been constant cash flow into the fund from the mandatory 5% monthly IGR and 1% from LGAs allocation since the inception of the current Abba Kabir Yusuf administration, signaling that the fund is not starved of funds.
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KHETFUND Budget Performance
The Kano State Health Care Fund mandates that 50% of the budget be allocated to hospital (Pri, Secondary and Tertiary), 25% to health education institutions 2% to running of the fund, 2% to the vulnerable groups, 5% to maternal health care.

Kano budget performance shows low performance of the KHETFUND; however, this does not affect the 5% maternal health care fund as confirmed by officials of KHETFUND.

The 1st quarter of 2024 budget shows 0% performance of the budget despite the allocation of N800,000,000 to the fund as shown on page 7.

With a budget of N1,200,000,000 in 2023, the fund recorded only 2.1% budget performance, also as seen on page 7 of the document.

With a budget of N1,400,000,000 in 2022, KHETFUND had a 5% budget performance as seen on page 6 of the budget performance document.

YEAR
AMOUNT
PERFORMANCE %

2024
N800m
0%

2023
N1.2bn
2.1%

2022
N1.4bn
5%

Source: Kano budget performance documents

The low performance, according to a KHETFUND official, is not unconnected to the fact that hospitals and institutions do not write to the fund requesting for their needs.

Dr. Muhamad Lawan Adamu, director operations of the fund said they disburse funds only when requested and after due process – with the exception of the maternal health 5% of course.
Despite 5% KHETFUND Maternal Allocation, Why Maternal Health Crisis?
A trip to the Kano Hospital Management Board as directed by the Kano State Health Ministry through the spokesperson, Ibrahim Abdullahi led me to the office of the officer in charge KHETFUND at the board.

He however refused to speak for ‘lack of authorization’ to speak with the media on the issue.

Another trip to the board revealed that the 5% fund from KHETFUND was received regularly. Speaking anonymously, an official said there are many factors for persistent problems with maternal health in Kano.

The first issue the official raised was that the fund was only meant to ‘augment’ needs in the sector, and this will be based on request.

The second problem the official noted was lack of enough doctors/health personnel to man any additional bed or space at the hospitals thus the fund was used to purchase drugs and all other valuables/instruments, including for CS to care for pregnant women and the babies.

NGOs Worry Over Shortage of Bedspaces, underutilization of PHCs
Sanusi Hashim, is the contact person for Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment, he said they are worried by widely reported maternal deaths despite increased funding and positive government policies.

According to him, many factors are responsible for the trend including
Under utilization of PHCs; According to the officer, they have come to understand that most pregant women would rather go to the ‘bigger’ hospitals that the Primary Health Cares within their locality. Though some PHCs are in terrible conditions, many have been improved to even carry out Cesarean Sections should the need arise. He said these could have eased pressure on the secondary and tertiary health facilities in the state, reduce mortality rate further and provide adequate health care to both mother and child – free of charge.

Lack of bed spaces: Due to the inflow of patients from all 44 LGAs in Kano, Mr. Hashim Sa’id there is congestion and lack of space. He revealed that a tour to one of the tertiary hospitals; Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital showed no bed space available to cater for more patients. This he said.

NGO Provides Additional Solutions to Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
Society for Child Support and Economic Empowerment said there is urgent need for government to equip, upgrade and provide adequate personnel at ‘all’ primary health care centers in the state.

The contact person, of the organization, Sanusi Hashim says this will take excellent health care to the doorstep of the masses in all LGA, thus reduce pressure on the secondary and tertiary institutions.

After that, he advocates for intensive campaign on the importance and need for pregnant women to patronize PHCs in their areas.

Sanusi also called on the Kano State Government to increase wards and bed spaces at all health facilities.
On their parts, traditional leaders at Sharada Ja’en and Gwagwarwa seek increased funding and special packages for the poor in the society.

 

 

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How Maryam Abacha Varsity Produced 5 Provosts of Nursing Colleges, 1,000 Lab Scientists, 100 Lawyers, Others in 12 Years

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Twelve years after its establishment, the Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN), in Maradi, Niger Republic, has produced five Provosts of Nursing Colleges in Borno, Yobe, and Bauchi States.

Dr. Hadiza Sabo a graduate of Nursing from the University is the current Provost of Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery, in Damaturu, Yobe state.

Varsity Appoints Gombe Emir As Chancellor

Equally, Dr. Hadiza Yahya is serving as Provost, College of Nursing Sciences in Maiduguri, Borno state, while Dr. Rakiya Saleh is the Provost College of Nursing Sciences in Bauchi, Bauchi state. The trio of Rakiya and the two aforementioned Hadizas all bagged their first and postgraduate degrees from MAAUN.

In addition, Kiloh Nifor who is also the Provost, College of Nursing Sciences in Jalingo, Taraba state, and Dr. Yusuf Bello, the Provost, Kaduna State College of Nursing Sciences, are also alumni of the university.

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MAAUN, which was founded in 2013, is owned by Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, a philanthropist and French Linguistics scholar.

Politics Digest also reports that the Faculty of Law of the premier Ivory Tower, established only in 2015, has produced over 400 law graduates, with more than a hundred of them already called to the Nigerian Bar.

In addition, over 1,000 Medical Laboratory Scientists produced by MAAUN are presently working in Nigeria, while no fewer than 700 of them are practicing abroad.

It would be recalled that the institution was the first to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in Niger Republic, where thousands of nursing officers trooped for their university education from different countries.

“The Nursing Degree programme greatly increased the number of nursing graduates in Nigeria. The university started offering Nursing in 2012 and has so far graduated over 2,000 graduates who are rendering their services at different hospitals in Nigeria and abroad,” said the university’s President, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo.

Barrister Umar Isa Sulaiman, a law lecturer at MAAUN, while informing Politics Digest that their Faculty commenced academic activities in 2013, said: “Our graduates are working in different government agencies and parastatals. Some are Sharia Court Judges, Magistrates, and some are working in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Also, a high number of our graduates are in private practice. We do meet and appear before different courts. I can categorically tell you that they are doing wonderfully well as advocates.”

Furthermore, the Prof. Adamu Gwarzo-owned university has been positively impacting the lives of several Nigerians.

A MAAUN graduate of Nursing, Hamisu Iliyasu, who hailed from Sokoto State, told this newspaper how his alma mater produced many Directors and Heads of Nursing Colleges in Nigeria.

“You know universities in the North don’t offer Nursing; you either go to the South or you end up retiring at Level 14 as a civil servant. But our prestigious Maryam Abacha American University came to the rescue of so many of us, and we are grateful,” he said.

According to Dr. Kabiru Mahmud, a staff member of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Department of MAAUN, “Our great and pace-setting university has helped increase the number of Medical Laboratory Scientists, not only in Northern Nigeria but in the country at large. We have students from across the country.

“Some came from Lagos, Benin, and Ibadan. I can categorically tell you that Maryam Abacha American University of Niger has the highest number of young Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria.

“Before now, one could hardly find someone with a degree in this field, but only a Diploma. But MAAUN came and provided the opportunity to many undergraduates. Go to Federal Medical Centres across the country, and you will find it difficult counting the number of their staff who are our products.”

Checks by this newspaper further revealed that some MAAUN alumni are presently working at the National Hospital in Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, AKTH, in Kano state.

The university according to findings has the highest number of Nurses working in Canada, USA and other foreign countries from West Africa.

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Hotoro Residents Threaten to Vote Out Leaders in 2027 Over Dilapidated Road

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The untarred and dilapidated road

Residents of Hotoro in Kano State are voicing their growing frustration with local and state leaders over the deplorable condition of a key road in their community. In interviews with Nigerian Tracker, the residents expressed deep dissatisfaction and issued a warning that they may withhold their votes in the 2027 elections if their concerns continue to be ignored.

Shehu Usman, a long-time resident of Hotoro, articulated the sentiments of many in the area. “Our area is a vote bank, not just in Nassarawa Local Government but across the whole of Kano State,” Usman said. “Yet, the road is no longer passable in both the rainy and dry seasons, and those we elected—from the Governor to the Chairman and even the legislators—seem not to care about the deplorable state of this road.

The road in question, which remains untarred, stretches from the Ring Road around Nur Petroleum Junction, passes through Hotoro Primary and Secondary Schools, and ends at the Hotoro Police Division. The poor state of the road has been a long-standing issue, but despite repeated complaints, nothing has been done to address it.

Iliya Musa, another concerned resident, lamented that politicians only seem to care about the community during election season. “During election season, politicians flock to our area, making promises and shaking hands. But once they are in office, they turn a deaf ear to our problems,” Musa said. “This road could easily be constructed, but our leaders have ignored us, and now, it feels like the area is turning into a slum.”

As 2027 approaches, the residents of Hotoro are making it clear that their votes will not be taken for granted. If their elected leaders fail to address the worsening conditions in the community, they may face a harsh electoral backlash from a constituency that has had enough of broken promises.

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