The North-West Development Commission is partnering Dala Orthopaedic Hospital Kano, to explore ways of making quality healthcare more affordable to patients in the country.

This was disclosed by the Managing Director (MD) of the Commission, Professor Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji recently in Kano when he hosted the Chief Medical Director of the Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nurudeen.

Professor Abdullahi maintained that, as an intervention agency, the Commission would carry out a needs assessment of the operational requirements of the hospital, most especially on the energy component, required to power the hospital’s sophisticated equipment, based on which the Commission would come up with a partnership framework that would support in minimising the running and maintenance cost burden on the hospital.

He expressed the hope that, by the time the Commission wades in and subsidise the operational cost, the gesture would automatically translates into reduction of service charge on respective patients.

Professor Abdullahi explained the Commission’s readiness to extend similar gesture to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Zaria; and Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.

He observed that all the three hospitals situated within the North-West region of the country “offer their services to generality of mankind” and as such, should be supported in whichever way possible to enhance the quality of their service delivery system; and to as well make the services more accessible and affordable.

Professor Abdullahi added that training of technical personnel on equipment operation and maintenance would be another component of the partnership between the two organisations. This is to ensure that operation and maintenance challenges are immediately tackled without waiting for the manufacturers to intervene.

He expressed the believe that by the time these healthcare facilities function optimally, it would reduce the frequency of Nigerians travelling overseas on medical tourism and would in turn boost Nigerian economy.

Earlier in his submission, the Chief Medical Director of Dala Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Isa Nurudeen explained that the purpose of the visit was to solicit the support
and assistance of the Commission to tackle some of the operational challenges facing the hospital.

He specifically emphasised on the energy needs to power their equipment, most especially the new sophisticated MRI machine recently donated by the NNPCL.

He explained that for the machine to operate optimally, it needed to run 24 hours continuously on electricity which is costly and beyond what the hospital management could afford considering the high cost of electricity from the national grid and the prohibitive cost of diesel in the country.

He then appealed to the Commission to come in and assist in providing a sustainable alternative source of energy to power the equipment.

The North-West Development Commission was established in 2024 by Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to among others, accelerate infrastructure development and address long standing developmental gaps across the region.

In a statement by Abdulrashid Safana the Head press and public relations says the core mandate areas include security, agriculture, health, education, environment, women and youth development.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Gombe State, Dr. Jamilu Isyaku Gwamna, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he describes as a coordinated campaign of cyberbullying, criminal defamation and fake news allegedly orchestrated to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Highly placed sources familiar with the petition disclosed that Gwamna requested an immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police National Cybercrime Centre, with the involvement of INTERPOL, following intelligence suggesting that some of those behind the online attacks may be operating from outside Nigeria.

The petition reportedly names several social media accounts accused of publishing false claims that the APC candidate had been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegations which Gwamna categorically denies.

According to the sources, the petition describes the publications as a carefully coordinated disinformation campaign designed to mislead the public, injure his reputation and manipulate public perception at a time when his political profile and grassroots support continue to grow across Gombe State.

The petition reportedly urges the Police to obtain subscriber information, IP logs and other digital evidence from Meta Platforms, identify the sponsors and financiers of the campaign, prosecute all those found culpable and secure the removal of the offending publications.

Political analysts believe the latest development underscores the increasingly desperate tactics being deployed as the Gombe governorship contest gathers momentum.

Observers note that Dr. Gwamna’s emergence as the leading contender has significantly altered the political landscape in the state, with his growing acceptance across different constituencies unsettling sections of the opposition.

Rather than engage on policy, programmes and the future of Gombe State, critics say some political actors appear to have embraced misinformation, character assassination and cyberbullying in an attempt to slow the momentum of his campaign.

Supporters of the APC candidate expressed confidence that the petition would expose those behind what they describe as an organised smear campaign and reaffirmed their belief that the electorate would ultimately judge candidates on competence, integrity and their vision for the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the EFCC had publicly commented on the petition.

The spokesperson to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, has alleged that popular singer Tijjani Gandu failed to distribute ₦10 million that was reportedly entrusted to him for musicians and media practitioners, according to a statement shared on the spokesperson’s verified Facebook page.

According to Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,he has released the ₦10 million to Tijjani Gandu with the intention that the money would be shared among fellow musicians and members of the media as financial support. He claimed, however, that the funds were allegedly not distributed as intended.

Writing in Hausa on his verified Facebook page, Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa stated: “Na bawa Yaron nan Tijjani Gandu kudi naira miliyan goma ya rabawa mawaka da ‘yan media ya cinye, amma wai har dashi a maganar masu amana.” The statement translates to: “I gave this young man, Tijjani Gandu, ₦10 million to distribute among musicians and media practitioners, but he consumed it all, yet he still speaks as though he is among the trustworthy.”

According to the governor’s spokesperson, the allegation was made in response to ongoing public discussions regarding accountability and trustworthiness. He did not provide additional details on when the funds were allegedly handed over or identify the intended beneficiaries.

As of the time of this report, Tijjani Gandu has not publicly responded to the allegation made by Alhaji Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. There has also been no official confirmation or independent evidence released to substantiate the claim beyond the spokesperson’s social media statement.

The allegation has generated reactions on social media, with supporters and critics expressing differing views on the claims made by the governor’s spokesperson.