Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi has laid foundation for the construction of N5.5 billion permanent site of the College of Nursing Science and Midwifery in Hadejia.
At the foundation laying ceremony, Governor Namadi said the project was part of his administration’s efforts to enhance the production of quality manpower to man the state health sector.
He said, providing access to quality and affordable basic healthcare services to all the people of the state was part of his 12-point agenda which cannot be achieved without the provisions of adequate health workers.
“When the construction of this permanent site is completed, it will provide the enabling environment for teaching and learning as well as increasing the number of students’ enrolment which will translate to producing more qualified health workers.
“The project is divided into two phases, the first phase comprises structures that would cost the sum of N3 billion and the second phase comprises road construction, landscaping and other related facilities approved at the cost of N2.5 billion.
“The completion period is 18-month as agreed with the construction company handling the work, and we will do all our best to fulfil our own mandate as we will not accept any compromise in quality or time frame”, Governor Namadi declared.
The governor reaffirmed his determination to ensure minimum of one health facility in each of the 287 political wards that are fully functional.
He maintained that, with the three Colleges of Nursing Science and Midwifery at Birninkudu, Babura and this one in Hadejia, as well as the College of Health Technology in Jahun, Jigawa will soon have adequate healthcare manpower.
“As we recently sent 109 students to study medicine in Cyprus and India, we will also continue to assist our students to study medicine-related courses within and outside the country to bridge the gap we have in the sector for achieving the desired goals”, he said.