Writing By Teddy Daniel; Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
The Southern Kaduna Aid Foundation SKAID says it is in talks with the Polish Government to facilitate the deployment of medical experts to Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State for specialized surgeries on children suffering from hernia.
Chairman of the Foundation, Rear Admiral Ferguson Dukas Bobai (Rtd), disclosed this while addressing beneficiaries during the distribution of empowerment support to women and petty traders in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Rear Admiral Bobai explained that the move followed disturbing discoveries made during the Foundation’s recent medical outreach across several local government areas of Southern Kaduna.
According to him, an unusually high number of young children in Kauru were found to be suffering from hernia, prompting SKAID to seek international collaboration for a sustainable solution.
He revealed that the Polish Government had expressed willingness to partner with the Foundation not only to carry out surgical interventions but also to conduct research aimed at identifying the root causes of the health condition.
The retired Naval officer recalled that SKAID had earlier carried out medical outreaches in Samaru Kataf, Kubacha, Jaba, Kauru, and Sanga, where surgeries and other treatments were administered to residents.
Ferguson Bobai highlighted the Foundation’s educational interventions, noting that thirty-six indigent students from across Southern Kaduna had been awarded full scholarships covering tuition and upkeep allowances for the duration of their studies, irrespective of their religious background.
The Chairman said the Foundation had also empowered over one thousand women with twenty thousand naira each, engaged in small scale trading such as roasting corn, frying akara, and selling groundnuts.
He explained that although the Foundation initially planned to give one hundred thousand naira per person, budgetary realities compelled a review to twenty thousand, which enabled a larger number of women to benefit.
“The philosophy is simple, when you empower a woman, you empower a generation. The twenty thousand naira may look small, but when properly invested, it can transform families and communities.”, he explained
The Foundation has also distributed twelve smartphones to presidents of community development associations across Southern Kaduna.
Rear Admiral Bobai said the gesture was aimed at strengthening grassroots leadership, improving communication, and enhancing coordination in community development.
He recalled that during the 2024 Southern Kaduna Festival, many community associations could not fully participate due to poor communication and financial constraints.
According to him, indigenes of Southern Kaduna in the United States intervened by donating smartphones to close the communication gap.
The beneficiaries of the smartphones signed accountability bond forms, committing to hand them over to incoming leaders at the end of their tenure to ensure continuity and transparency.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, the presidents of Nendem and Rumeya Community Associations, Mr. Derick Musa and Mr. Daniel Danjuma, commended the Foundation, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.
They said the devices would enhance mobilization in their communities ,boost efficiency, and restore dignity to grassroots leadership.
Rear Admiral Bobai further urged well meaning Nigerians, philanthropists, and corporate organisations to emulate what the SKAID are doing by extending support to the less privileged in Southern Kaduna.
“Poverty alleviation should not be left to government alone.If each person lifts one or two individuals out of poverty, the collective impact will move us from a micro level to a macro transformation,” he added.
The Foundation also announced plans to establish a comprehensive database that would capture development indicators such as the number of out of school children, the scale of ginger farming, and other socio-economic challenges across Southern Kaduna.
The data, according to the Chairman, would be made available to researchers, policymakers, and even government agencies for planning and development purposes.
Rear Admiral Bobai expressed optimism that with continuous partnerships, transparent interventions, and collective action, Southern Kaduna will witness stronger communities anchored on empowerment, health, education, and accountability.
COV/TEDDY DANIEL
