Caption: From left, Alhaji Manir Dan’iya, Deputy Governor, Sokoto State; Alhaji Aliyu Idi Hong, representative of Alh. Abdul Samad Rabiu & Director of Government Relations, BUA Group; Governor Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa Initiative and O’tega Ogra, Group Head, Corporate Communications, BUA during the presentation.
The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) on Wednesday presented a N2.5bn Tertiary Health Infrastructure grant to the Sokoto State Government for the construction of the College of Medical Sciences at the State University, the School of Nursing, Tambuwal as well as the School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa also in the state.
Receiving the grant was presented during a ceremony at the Sokoto State Government house from Abdul Samad Rabiu, founder of BUA Group and ASR Africa, who was represented by Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, said the initiative was proud to complement the ongoing work already by the government in healthcare delivery at the primary and secondary levels.
He commended Governor Tambuwal for his holistic approach and commitment to healthcare development at all levels.
According to him. “ASR Africa is passionate about social impact and development especially in the areas of health care delivery, education, social development, and sustainable infrastructure which are also the pillars of ASR Africa’s vision for African development. We are therefore ready and committed to partner with serious governments to make critical interventions and sustainable impact in healthcare and development for the benefit of the people.”
Also speaking, Ubon Udoh, MD/CEO, ASR Africa, recalled that Sokoto is one of four states that were announced recently as beneficiaries of the ASR Africa Health Systems Support grant of N2.5billion each per state, the other states being Kwara, Edo and Ogun States.
“Kwara State is using their ASR Africa grant to develop a world-class oncology centre whilst Sokoto is strengthening their Tertiary healthcare infrastructure and delivery systems. We expect to deploy resources to commence work in Sokoto as soon as possible,” Ubon added.
Responding, Governor Tambuwal thanked Rabiu for the grant and noted that “Just as BUA, through its cement holdings, BUA Cement Plc, has become an economic powerhouse for Sokoto State, we are also very happy to partner with Alhaji Rabiuand his ASR Africa Initiative on this healthcare development partnership for sustainable impact.
“This grant is timely and will enable us to expand the scope of the Sokoto State University Teaching hospital currently under construction. We are committed to working within the ASR Africa Mutual Accountability Framework to deliver these critical healthcare projects promptly in collaboration with ASR Africa. Upon completion of these ASR Africa-funded projects, in addition to other recently completed and ongoing ones, Sokoto will become a major hub for health care delivery in the Northern region of Nigeria,” he added.
