- As former Kano Military Administrator Mark 82nd birthday
From John Adams, Minna
No few than 2,000 patients with different illnesses have benefited from the former Kano state military administrator and Chairman Sani Bello Foundation Col. Sani Bello (rtd) foundation free medical outreach in Kontagora, Kontagora local government area of Niger state with an appeal to well to do individual and corporate organizations in the country to help put smiles in the faces of those in dear need of medical treatment.
The former Kano state military administrator who turned 82 years on Saturday said rather than throwing lavish birthday party, he decided to use the day to extend some helps to those with medical challenges in the area.
The philanthropist who marked his 82nd birthday and 11th anniversary of his foundation said this year’s medical outreach focuses mainly on people with various degree of illness and ordinarily cannot afford such medical bills.
The free medical surgical operation organized by the Sani Bello Foundation free medical services was part of the activities to mark the elder statesman 82nd birthday celebration which took place in the ancient city of Kontagora in Niger state.
The Founder of the Sani Bello Foundation and former Kano state Military Governor, Colonel Sani Bello (Rtd), while speaking at the occasion expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s current state compared to what was obtained in the past and submitted that the country is in a state of decline in all aspects of human development.
He pointed out that while the Nigeria healthcare sector has nothing to offer, roads infrastructure, security, and quality of life of average Nigerians is worst than what was obtained before.
Comparing past with the present and whether the nation has made progress or retrogressed since independence, Bello expressed dismay that the high level of poverty, infrastructural decay and poor healthcare services, especially in the rural communities is better imagined than experienced.
The Elder statesman attributed the decline to a combination of factors, including population growth, endemic corruption, and a general lack of leadership, stressing that “Things have changed a lot. When I look at yesterday and today and compare the two, I sometimes regrettably say yesterday was better than today. I wish it was not so.
“We are now richer in terms of quantum wealth but in actual facts, we are poorer in value. There was so much satisfaction then as most Nigerians were satisfied but now it is not the case. “There is so much dishonesty in the land, so much people who are entrusted in holding responsibility have failed as they continually abuse the trust, this wasn’t the case in the past”, he noted
“When you look at the infrastructure collapse in Nigeria, it is worrying. In the 1970s, I could drive from Lagos to Kontagora in six to seven hours. Today, it is impossible to reach Ilorin in that time. Travel by road from Kontagora to Minna, which took less than two hours, now takes five hours.
“I don’t know if it is progress or retrogression. Yesterday, things were better, yesterday, I could take a train from Zungeru to Kano, to Lagos or Maiduguri but now, you can’t, there are no trains.
“Putting all these together, some of us who saw this start wondering what went wrong, where did we get it wrong, where did we miss the way, and quite honestly, it is worrisome.
“Everyday, we wake up and say that yesterday was better than today. When you look around now, you wonder, is it the population, or what, why are we not making progress? This pains me a lot. When you look at every aspect of the Nigerian life, from my eyes, we ask ourselves have we made progress in the years since Independence or is it retrogression”. He submitted
Bello regretted that the current security challenges across the country remains the greatest obstacle towards achieving any meaningful development, pointing out that “Despite the civil war, I could travel safely from Lagos to Kontagora by 4:00pm without fear and I will be sure of getting to my destination without somebody abducting me, a bandit or a kidnapper, my only worry would be a punctured tire, but today, the threat of banditry and kidnapping looms large everywhere”.
On his philanthropic efforts, Bello detailed his annual medical outreach program in Kontagora, which provides free treatments to underserved residents, particularly for eye ailments and this initiative, he said, is more fulfilling than hosting lavish celebrations for privileged individuals.
“Seeing smiles on patients’ faces gives me immense joy and it helps me sleep well. It’s my way of contributing to the society that made me who I am,” he concluded.
The five-day free healthcare service to commemorate the 82nd birthday of Col. Sani Bello was organized by the Sani Bello Foundation in collaboration with Graceland Healthcare Foundation. The five day event addressed a wide range of medical conditions, including fibroids, appendicitis, goitre, lumps, vaginal prolapse, hernia, hydrocele, and eye-related diseases.
No fewer than 600 people were operated upon free while 1,255 medications and 1,000 eyeglasses were distributed free.
