By Hajara Abdullahi
A former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State and the current Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Kabiru Usaini Zawaciki, has called for increased investment in girls’ education, particularly in healthcare-related courses, to strengthen healthcare delivery and reduce maternal mortality in rural communities.
Zawaciki made the call during the graduation ceremony of students of the Kano State College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery, where 54 female students sponsored by his administration successfully completed their studies across the institution’s four campuses in Kano metropolis, Madobi, Danbatta and Gwarzo.
Speaking at the event, the former council chairman expressed satisfaction with the academic achievements of the beneficiaries, particularly Ramlah Yau Maigida, who emerged as the best graduating student of the institution.
He explained that during his tenure as chairman, his administration sponsored 94 girls from different communities in Kumbotso Local Government Area to study Community Midwifery as part of efforts to expand educational opportunities for young women and address the shortage of skilled healthcare personnel.
“Among the 94 students we sponsored, 54 graduated today successfully, with one emerging as the best student,” he said.
Zawaciki noted that investing in girls’ education, especially in nursing and midwifery, would not only empower young women economically but also contribute significantly to improving maternal and child healthcare services across the state.
He expressed concern over the shortage of qualified healthcare personnel in rural communities, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to train and deploy more midwives to underserved primary healthcare facilities.
“Kumbotso has two parts, the rural and urban areas. The rural areas need more health personnel, particularly midwives,” he stated.
According to him, improving access to skilled healthcare professionals in rural communities is essential to addressing preventable maternal deaths and strengthening the primary healthcare system.
The former chairman urged serving local government chairmen across Kano State to prioritise educational sponsorship programmes for girls, particularly those interested in pursuing careers in nursing, midwifery and other healthcare professions.
“Other local government chairmen should take up the task by providing opportunities for young girls to pursue careers in health-related courses to reduce maternal mortality and other infectious diseases,” he said.
He maintained that sustained investment in the education and professional development of young women would help bridge existing gaps in healthcare personnel, particularly in rural communities where access to skilled birth attendants remains a challenge.
Zawaciki further expressed optimism that the newly graduated midwives would contribute meaningfully to improving healthcare delivery in Kumbotso Local Government Area and other parts of Kano State.
He also commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba K Yusuf, for investments in education and healthcare, describing the administration’s efforts as important steps towards strengthening public service delivery and improving the well-being of residents.
The current organizing secretary of the All Progressive Congress APC,also called for sustained collaboration among government authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to expand educational opportunities for girls and ensure that rural healthcare facilities have adequate skilled personnel to meet the needs of their communities.