Inspired by high-profile donations made by two sons of the soil, Alhaji Akiko Dangote and Alhaji Abdulsamad Isiyaku Rabi’u, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared total war against Corona Virus as the state has concluded plans to engage in house-to-house testing of residents.
Receiving donations in Government House on Monday, Ganduje said a renewed war against the deadly pandemic has just commenced.
He also urged residents to strictly observe the protocols of COVID-19 prevention.
While Ganduje received 10 ambulances, officials vehicles and Mobile Test Laboratory among other things from Dangote on Sunday, chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isiyaku Rabi’u donated the sum of N2 billion, five ambulances and 20 Hillux Vans to Kano state government on Monday.
Ganduje also declared that Kano state will embark on house-to-house testing of residents as part of renewed efforts to crush the pandemic in Kano.
Ganduje also received donations from the Floor Mills of Nigeria PLC, which donated N5000 Test Kits and the sum of N1 billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), promising to send ventilators to Kano state Government by next week.
He also received cartons of hand sanitizers produced by the Chemistry Department of the Nigeria Defence Academy.
The Management of the Academy brought the hand sanitizers to Government House.
Alhaji Abdulmasad, who is also the chairman of the BUA Group was represented by the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong.
Dr. Hong said Alhaji Abdulmasad who would have loved to be present during the presentation was held up in Lagos over right schedules, coupled with restriction of movement, adding that the business mogul who hails from Kano is making plans to visit the state personally.
Dr. Hong stated that, “I am representing the chairman and founder of the BUA Group. He asked me to commiserate with Kano state Governor and the people of Kano state over the challenges the state is currently facing.
“He would have been here, but he was held down in Lagos by tight schedules and restriction of movement.”
Dr. Hong said the BUA Foundation would make the N2 billion available once a COVID-19 related project that the money would be spent on is identified.
According to him, the chairman of BUA Group would be willing to even make more donations to fight the deadly pandemic in the state.
Responding, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje described the donations as timely and impressive.
According to him, “there is no doubt, yesterday (Sunday) and today are two great days when our two illustrious sons of the soil (Dangote and Abdulsamad) decided to shower is with equipment to fight COVID-19.
“Yesterday (Sunday), we witnessed donations of Mobile Test Centre which is designed to produce 400 samples per day, made by the richest man in Africa, Alhaji Akiko Dangote.
“This will certainly improve our efforts in testing more people for the virus. Moreso, we need transportation, today the BUA Group owned by another son of the soil, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isiyaku Rabi’u.
“He has given us five ambulances, 20 vehicles, promised to execute N2 billion project; and we hope they will do more.
“Convey my appreciation to the Chairman of BUA Group and tell him that we shall make good use of this facilities.”
Ganduje further stated that plans have been concluded to open 100 collection centres within the eight metropolitan Local Government Areas, while the 36 other Local Government Areas will get one Collection Centre each.
He said Kano is also considering house-to-house collection of samples to ensure that residents adequately tested against the Corona Virus.
Also speaking, the Coordinator (Technical) Kano COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Tijjani Hussaini said, “we are witnessing a special moment in Kano today. A moment that will aid us do the work even better.
“These vehicles will facilitate our work for contact tracing and evacuation of patients, and other follow ups,” adding that other good spirited individuals should borrow a leaf from Dangote and Abdulsamad to help Kano overcome this trying times occassioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
