Headlines
Kidney patient fights for life, needs N15m for transplant
By Nazifi Dawud
Mahmud Aminu Daneji, a kidney disease patient, has been fighting for his life for the past 18 years.
Mr Daneji, 46, who spoke to Kano Focus, while on a dialysis machine at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), said his two kidneys failed simultaneously in 2001 after he was struck by severe hypertension.
“I used to be a very healthy and productive man before hypertension struck me down. I was living my life happily when suddenly my blood pressure shot to over 220 in March 2001,” he recalled.
He added that despite spending some time at the hospital receiving treatment, complications from the high blood pressure eventually damaged his kidneys.
Failed transplant
Mr Daneji, resident of Daneji quarters in Kano Municipal local government area of Kano state, narrated that from 2001 he had undergone a total of 476 dialysis sessions until October 2006 when he had a kidney transplant.
He said after the transplant, which was successful, he was able to regain good health that allowed him to continue with his life without pains.
“It felt as if I got a new life. My health problems seemed to have disappeared. In fact, I got married two years after the transplant and everything appeared to be Ok,” he said.
Alas, that respite gradually came to an end in October 2010, when the transplanted organ also failed. And like a horrible nightmare, Mr Daneji’s sorrow was renewed.
Since then, the father of one, said he has undergone 987 dialysis sessions–and still counting.
Each dialysis session, he said, used to cost him N17, 100 until AKTH considered his plight and gave him a 50 percent discount, meaning he now pays N8,550 twice a week.
Confined to a wheelchair, Mr Daneji said he has lost everything including his house.
“All I have are my lovely wife and 11-year-old boy,” he said, his voice cracking with emotions. “I am living for them”.
‘Why I need N15 million’
According to Mr Daneji, his first kidney transplant failed because, as doctors told him, he had a complicated genetic composition with a high possibility of rejecting foreign organs.
Mr Daneji’s case has proven complicated because apart from his aggressive genetic makeup, he had also received too many blood transfusions–which is also another challenge.
“When I did the HLA tissue typing tests, doctors advised that there is a 68 t0 70 percent that my body will reject a new kidney transplant due to my genetic makeup and too much blood transfusions,” he said.
Help in India
However, all hope is not lost for Mr Daneji as a hospital in India–Apollo International Kidney Centre, based in New Delhi has offered to help him at the cost of N15 million.
“I have been advised to seek treatment at the Indian hospital which has reputable kidney disease specialists that can solve my problem,” he said.
“This is why I am appealing for help from the government, well-meaning citizens, philanthropists and organizations to raise N15 million to seek treatment in India,” he added.
Hajiya Hauwa Abdullahi, a spokesperson for AKTH said anyone willing to help Mr Daneji can make donations through the hospital’s Social Welfare Office.
“Those willing to help Mahmud Daneji can call him on 08065514914 or contact me on 08065408993 or make donations through the Social Welfare Office at the AKTH,” she said.
Aminu Abdullahi
The adolescent girls initiative for learning and empowerment AGILE has been described as a major catalyst to educational development.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Isa Umaru, made the indication while receiving AGILE team in his palace.
According to him, Kano has witnessed significant progress in girl child education facilitated by AGILE, hence the need for traditional institutions and relevant stakeholders to contribute their quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He noted that, Rano Emirate has been at the forefront of ensuring enrollment retention and completion of girls education through various initiatives.
The emir called on the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) to upgrade the girls school in his community.
The monarch said, the school, located beside the palace, requires expansion to accommodate a larger number of students.
The traditional ruler suggested that AGILE should visit the school to assess its condition, saying that, relocating the school to a bigger location had been earlier considered.
In his remarks the permanent secretary Kano state ministry of education Alhaji Bashir Baffa explained that, they were at the palace to seek for support and blessings form the royal father.
He said, AGILE has fostered an enabling environment for girls through promoting behavioral changes through communication campaigns engagement with traditional rulers and advocacy.
He maintained that, the team has embarked on advocacy visits to all relevant stakeholders at community and state levels on the importance of girls education.
Alhaji Baffa hinted that the state government had declared a state of emergency on education, hence the need for the traditional institution to contribute its quota to achieve the desired objectives.
He posited that, the team will visit the school to see possible ways of intervening for the development of education.
The permanent secretary also used the opportunity to condole Rano emirate over the killing of its indigenes in Uromi.
KANO FOCUS reports that, earlier the team has paid a similar visit to Karaye Emirate council as part of efforts to advocate for support from the traditional institution and relevant stakeholders.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education’s Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project, supported by the World Bank, has successfully renovated over 1,300 senior and junior secondary schools in the state in the last three years.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state commissioner for education, Alhaji Ali Haruna Makoda, disclosed this during a visit to the Karaye Emirate on Tuesday.
He added that the AGILE program has enrolled more than 30,000 girls through targeted outreach, grants, and its Second Chance education initiative.
Makoda further revealed that the state government has finalized plan to construct 130 new schools in rural communities, with over 35,000 girls already benefiting from financial assistance under the scheme.
He urged the Karaye Emirate to lend full support to the program and prioritize girls’ education.
In his remarks, the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Muhammad Maharaz, pledged the emirate’s commitment to advancing girls’ education in Kano State.
He commended the state government and the commissioner for their dedication to the programme’s success.
“It is our collective responsibility to support this initiative,” the Emir stated, calling for measures to ensure beneficiaries complete their education with strong academic outcomes.
The commissioner’s delegation consist of the Kano State AGILE Project Coordinator, Malam Mujitapha Aminu and other members of State Programme Implementation Unit (SPIU).
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Bayero University Kano (BUK) on Monday celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Faculty of Education and inaugurated its Alumni Association at the Convocation Arena of the university’s new campus.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event was graced by government officials, education stakeholders, and alumni all gathered to commemorate the faculty’s contributions to Nigeria’s educational sector.
In her keynote address, the State Minister for Education, Mrs. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad announced the Federal Government’s Sector Renewal Initiative designed to transition Nigeria from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy.
She highlighted that the aim of the renewal initiative consists of – Reducing the number of out-of-school children; combating learning poverty; nhancing skills development and human capital for the labor market
The minister noted that the initiative prioritizes Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Digital literacy and education quality assurance.
Mrs. Ahmad disclosed that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦35 billion to 261 beneficiaries under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with BUK among the top beneficiaries.
“So far, the scheme has received 420 applications, and we are scaling up investments,” she stated.
She further confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved ₦120 billion to boost TVET programs, with plans to train 650 youths in technical, vocational, and digital skills over the next two years.
Emeritus Professor Sani Ahmad Sufi, former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, praised the faculty for its high-quality graduates.
“Our pride lies not just in the number of graduates produced yearly, but in their impact across Nigeria and beyond,” he said.
He added that the faculty has produced Nigeria’s largest pool of graduate teachers many of whom hold key positions nationally and internationally.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the faculty for its significant role in advancing education in Nigeria.
The event concluded with awards presented to distinguished alumni and supporters of the faculty in recognition of their contributions to its growth.
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