… As 3 teachers get N3million each
… “I’d always wanted to own a school”- Col. Sani Bello
… As 3 teachers get N3million each
Over ten thousand patients have benefitted from the Col. Sani Bello Foundation free surgical operations in Niger state
The Former military administrator of Kano State and Founder of the Sani Bello foundation as part of activities to mark his 79th Birthday collaborated with Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation to carry out the annual free surgical festival where patients with fibroid, appendicitis, goitre, lumps, hernia, hydrocole and eye related diseases are treated free of charge.
Col Sani Bello, while speaking over the weekend, told Journalists that “my greatest joy is to affect people’s lives positively, give back to the society and to ensure that those who have illness that can be operated on are attended to freely.”
He further expressed appreciation by announcing the donation of three million naira (N3 million) each to some teachers who served at his private school for the last thirty years.
Col. Sani Bello who is also father of the Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello while disclosing that the school was established with only two classrooms, but can now boast of many block of classrooms added that “I have always wanted to own a school. Today the school is 40 years old”.
It should be noted that since the past editions and now over 10,000 persons have benefited. 859 persons treated in 2016 the figure increased to 924 persons in 2017, while in 2018 no fewer than 948 persons benefitted, in 2019 where the foundation had two batches 2,931 persons got treated, in 2020, a huge number of 2,301 benefitted. Earlier this year, 300 patients benefitted.
Also, the head of the Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation, Dr. John Kodo said that in conventional hospitals, most of the cases treated during the free health care festival will cost each of the patients between N50,000 and N500,000.
According to him, “majority of the beneficiaries have been living with the ailment for years due to paucity of funds”.
“So far in this 8th edition, we have conducted successful surgery on over 86 eye patients, given over 1,000 glasses to another set of persons. In the past editions, we have attended to over 450 patients and the numbers are still counting”.
One of the beneficiaries, 60 year old Hauwa Usman from Mashegu local government area of Niger told Journalists that she’s had Virginal Prolapse after she delivered her third child.
According to her “in all I gave birth to twelve children, but only eight are alive today. I have suffered from this illness since after my third birth, I was referred to Sokoto, MINNA General Hospital but I do not have the money N450,000 for the treatment.
“But when I heard of the free surgery, I quickly came, registered, I was screened and they have done the surgery and I am very okay now.
Another beneficiary, who had been pregnant for over 9 months and was told to prepare for a cesarean section, Wosila Aliyu, was full of joy after she was successfully attended to and had a twin.
“It only God that will bless Col. Sani Bello, he will live longer than his mates. I did not have money for cesarean section and my husband has gone begging but no response. I thought I was going to even lose my babies and possibly lose my life but thank God I am okay and my babies are doing fine”.
In his remarks, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello described investment in the education sector as a lifelong achievement.
While speaking at the 40th anniversary of Mustapha Comprehensive School, Kontagora which coincided with the 79th birthday of his father, he assured parents and all Nigerlites of the sustainability of the Educational system.
Chairman of the occasion and Emir of Yauri Professor Mohammed Zayyanu Abdullahi described education as vital for every meaningful development.
He used the forum to advocate the improvement of nomadic education in the country.
Presenting the 2020 /2021 graduating students, the Principal of the school, Mr Amoah Charles Mensah said the school has produced excellent students in NECO and WAEC examinations.
Mr Mensah said the management is determined to reposition the school for the challenges ahead through E-learning programme and the provision of language laboratory.
The President, Mustapha Comprehensive School, Alhaji Usman Sani Bello said the School would continue to provide conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning as the school embarked on massive infrastructural development.
Other speakers such as the Niger State Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Hannatu Jubrin said Government would sustain public private Partnership to revamp the education sector.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the event included members of the state Assembly, members of the state executive council, Chief of Staff to the Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau Mua’zu II.
Highlights of the occasion was the cutting of anniversary cake, launching of school magazine, presentation of awards to best students and commissioning of two storey building of classrooms.
