Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising investment in healthcare infrastructure, describing it as a decisive step toward strengthening medical services in Kano and across Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senator Barau gave the commendation on Sunday while inspecting seven major projects he facilitated at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for healthcare delivery.
He said the intervention aligns with the president’s vision to establish a sound and specialised healthcare system capable of reversing medical tourism and curbing the migration of Nigerian doctors abroad.
“What we are doing now, in terms of developing this institution into an advanced, specialised hospital, is in tune with the desire of the President,” Barau said.
“The President told me that one of his cardinal programmes is to ensure a sound healthcare delivery system at a specialised level. With the right investment in our health sector, the trend of travelling to Egypt or India for treatment will soon be a thing of the past.”
Barau, who represents Kano North Senatorial District, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting the executive through legislation that will address persistent challenges in the health sector and beyond.
“We are all members of the President’s family. We are working based on his vision and commitment to solving our national challenges,” he added. “What you have seen today is just the beginning — we will continue developing this hospital until it becomes the best in West Africa.”
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of AKTH, Prof. Abdurrahman Abba Sheshe, lauded Senator Barau for his sustained commitment to the hospital’s growth, noting that the projects would enhance research, medical training, and innovation across key disciplines.
The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Haruna Musa, also praised the Deputy Senate President, saying:
“In just two months into my tenure in BUK, Senator Barau has brought two mega projects to the university. We deeply appreciate his commitment to advancing healthcare and education.”
The seven ongoing projects include:
• Construction and equipping of a Cardiothoracic Centre;
• Road construction at the College of Health Sciences, BUK (AKTH premises);
• Construction of a students’ hostel at the College of Nursing Sciences;
• Interlocking works at the Department of Radiology, S. S. Wali Centre, and the Speciality Clinic Annexe;
• Construction of classrooms and offices at the School of Health Information Management (SHIM);
• And construction and equipping of a Paediatric Complex.
Senator Barau was accompanied during the inspection by four senators: Senator Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (Petroleum Downstream), Senator Muntari Dandutse (Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND), Senator Babangida Hussaini (North West Development Commission), and Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori (Police Affairs).
