• To replace striking doctors with expatriates

AGAINST the backdrop that the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease is spreading faster than researches on its cure, the Kano State Government has set up a committee on preventive mechanism to thwart its spread to the state.

   Kwankwaso has also concluded plans to recruit additional medical doctors from aboard to widen access to health services in Kano, as government was already providing facilities and medical consumables to check unforeseen situations at health centres across the state.

   Kwankwaso, who spoke while receiving Kano elders at the Government House over the weekend, said that government was concerned about the disease and its spread. According to him, “our state is the most populous in Nigeria and is the country’s second largest commercial centre with regular influx of traders from within the West African sub-region. The state is also home of one of Nigeria’s international airports, MAKIA,” he said.

   Meanwhile, he said the committee was expected to present its report next Wednesday and urged indigenes of the state to avoid the virus by paying more attention to sanitation and personal hygiene as well as reporting health problems to the nearest medical authority for immediate action.

   Beside the Liberian who died in Lagos some days back, Ebola has killed over 700 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since February.

   Also, he disclosed that the government was designing new ways of tackling female suicide bombing, which recently started gaining foothold in the state, pointing out that the new tactics adopted by the insurgents has caused colossal loss of lives and property.

   The government, he said, was collaborating with Kano Emirate Council, security agencies and the general public to find lasting solution to insecurity in the state. He stated further: “We must put hands together to address the issue, that people should not hesitate to report any suspicious person and object to the nearest security agents in their own interest. 

   “Our children should acquire sound formal and religious education. Illiteracy is a major factor that results in insurgency and other negative activities in the society and so we must continue to devote time to prayers, asking God the Almighty to bring an end to the insurgency in the state.”