Kano State Government has accepted a proposal by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) on the development of cancer management training programmes for the various cancer specialists expected to work at the newly established Kano State Cancer Centre.
The state-of-the-art centre, located at Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital, Giginyu in Kano metropolis, is currently under construction. When completed, it will be the first of its kind in West Africa.
According to a statement by the ABU Public Affairs Directorate on Thursday, Kano government also accepted another proposal by the Institution to coordinate international partnerships to train the different oncology sub-specialists of the centre in the United States.
Governor of the State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, approved the proposals when a management team from the University ably led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, paid him a courtesy call in Kano on Wednesday.
Governor Ganduje, who received the team at Africa House, described all the proposals put together by the University as a “basket of good things” for his state.
On the institution’s request for the $1m for the initial launch of the Cancer Drug Access Programme, the Governor said Kano Government was willing to spend any reasonable amount of money for the realization of the project.
The ABU cancer drug access and training programmes would be in conjunction with the African Access Initiative (AAI) and Bioventures for Global Health (BVGH).
The Governor was also delighted to receive an update from the University on collaboration between the State and the University for the establishment of 20 hectare pasture seed multiplication plot at Dudduru in Ajingi Local Government Area to enhance livestock productivity in the State.
The collaboration is through Kano State Agro Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) and National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University.
The project also involves production of quality pasture seeds or vegetative materials suitable for improved livestock production.
In addition, it will lead to the development of Dudduru grazing reserve as part of the state RUGA project that will eventually address the current incessant farmers-herders clashes in the country.
Governor Ganduje, himself an alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University having graduated from the Institution in 1975, assured that Kano Government would do all it could for the success of the collaborations.
The Governor, who expressed gratitude for the visit, congratulated Prof. Kabiru Bala, on his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of ABU.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said that the courtesy visit was part of effort by the Institution to connect with all its alumni whom he described as its “greatest assets”.
The Vice-Chancellor appreciated the Governor for his administration’s commitment towards addressing cancer challenges in Nigeria through the establishment of the cancer centre for the treatment of cancer cases.
Prof. Bala also acknowledged with gratitude the collaboration between the State and University for the establishment of 20 hectare seed multiplication plot for the state to enhance livestock productivity.
The Vice-Chancellor and his team members were later taken to the construction site for the Kano Cancer Centre by the Honourable Commissioner of Health for the state, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, at the imstance of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Members of the Vice-Chancellor’s entourage were the Bursar, Malam Yahaya Alhaji Hasan; Ag. Director, Iya Abubakar Institute of Information and Communication Technology (IAIICT), Prof. Balarabe J. Sahalu; Director, University Health Services, Prof. Muhammad S. Isa; Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Monitoring, Prof. Yahaya M. Ibrahim; and Director, Directorate of University Advancement, Prof. Ahmed D. Ibrahim.
Others were Overseer, Physical Planning and Municipal Services, Prof. Abdullahi Abubakar; Dean of Students, Prof. Muhammad Y. Fatihu; and Executive Director, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Prof. Abdullahi K. Mohammed.
The rest were Prof. Sani Ibrahim of Department of Biochemistry; Deputy Director, Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR); Prof. Ado Yusuf; Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Malam Auwalu Umar, and Malam Faruk Muhammad, a cancer researcher with the University.
