An NGO, Sani Bello Foundation, has offered free medical surgery to no fewer than 500 people in Niger, according to its Vice-Chairman, Usman Bello.
The NGO was founded by Sani Bello, the father of the Niger Governor,Alhaji Abubakar Bello.
The Vice Chairman of the foundation stated this in Kontagora, Kontagora Local Government Area of the state at the inauguration of ‘”free surgical festival.”
He noted that the week-long event would cover ailments such as fibroid, goitre, hernia, lumps and hydrocoele.
“It is a spectrum of operations, really from fibroid, goitre to hernia and many other things we are hoping for in the next few days,” he said
He stated that about 100 Almajiris had been screened and treated for typhoid, malaria, skin diseases and respiratory issues among others.
The vice-chairman decried lack of data on Almajiris in the country, saying that more attention needed to be paid to their plight.
Bello noted that Almajiri issue was a crisis allowed for a long time to fester.
“It is hard not to link the issue of Almajiri with the crisis we have in Northern Nigeria, but we never know.
“It is actually a ticking bomb and this is the right time we should correct this problem that is upon us.
“Things have changed and we have no reason why we should let the kids go around and get molested, and some of them are being used for trafficking drugs and petty trades.
“We have to find a way to bring an end to it. We need to join hands to fight this war.
“It is not just a Northern problem or a Muslim problem or a Hausa problem. It is a humanity problem that we have to really do something about.
“This is something we have left for such a long time, we have no choice but to address it now.”
He urged government at all levels to find lasting solution to the crisis, stressing that Almajiri issue could not be abolished over night.
“I beg government, both at the national and state levels, to do something as soon as possible to end the problem.”
The NGO is collaborating with Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation for the event.
