By Adeola Ajakaiye, in Kano
The Kano State government has indicated interest in strengthening bilateral relationships with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the benefit of the two governments.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the hint when he received the Saudi Arabian Consul in Kano, Khalid Ahmad Al-adamawi, in company of the country’s coordinator of Muslim World League, Salisu Ismaila at the government house.
The governor appreciated the visit and solicited for the increase of scholarship by the Saudi Arabian government to Kano indigenes to either study or further their education in Saudi Arabian universities.
Governor Yusuf further prayed for the actualisation of a dream of establishing a medical university and a teaching hospital as it is an initiative which, according to the governor, will cater for the medical needs of many people in Kano, neighbouring states and beyond.
He also sought support in the area of reducing the number of out-of-school children and reducing maternal mortality through the construction and renovations of classrooms and provision of medical equipment to public schools and hospitals respectively.
The consul, Khalid Ahmad Al-adamawi, said that they visited the government house to brief the Governor on the on-going open heart surgery at Aminu Kano Teaching hospital (AKTH) sponsored by the World Muslim League with the support from King Salman humanitarian foundation that the foundation will soon establish an open heart surgery centre in Kano.
He added that 550 cartons of dates have been distributed to people in the state and pledged to provide more assistance in the areas of health and water resources.
Salisu Ismail, World Muslim League coordinator in Nigeria, lamented the shortage of cardiac surgeons as there are only 4 qualified cardiac surgeons in Northern Nigeria to manage many patients with heart problems, an issue that needs to be addressed.
