FUGA seeks collaboration with NEAR Foundation to address kidney disease in Gashua

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Gashua, Yobe State (FUGA), Professor Maimuna Waziri, has made a special request for collaboration between the university and the NEAR Foundation to address the prevalence of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) epidemic in Gashua and environs.

Professor Waziri made the request during the commissioning of a newly constructed borehole by NEAR Foundation at the institution with a view to providing students and staff with a reliable source of clean water.

In a press statement issued and signed by the institution’s head of the Information and Protocol Unit, Mallam Adamu Saleh, made available to newsmen in Damaturu.

Professor Waziri maintained that the disease has been a subject of serious concern in Northern Yobe State for decades.

“Water is essential to every part of our daily lives, and this borehole will greatly enhance the experience of our students, staff, and visitors on campus,” she said.

“We are deeply appreciative of the NEAR Foundation’s commitment to supporting education and improving lives in our community. I will also appeal to the Foundation to continue this legacy of giving by considering additional support for our university’s critical needs in the area of medical outreach programs, construction of additional classrooms to address the demands of our growing student population, and the establishment of a staff school to provide quality education for the children of our staff.”

The borehole, located between the male and female hostels of the school to maximize accessibility, is expected to serve as a crucial infrastructure for the university community.

“With an average daily campus population of several thousand, the project will significantly ease challenges related to water scarcity, especially during peak hours when demand is high. The borehole is equipped with modern pumping systems and storage facilities, ensuring consistent water availability.

Speaking earlier, a representative of the NEAR Foundation, the Foundation’s project coordinator, Abdulmalik Mamman Bulakos, said the borehole was part of their broader initiative to support educational institutions and foster community development.

“Our goal is to empower communities with the resources they need to thrive; access to clean water is foundational, and we are proud to partner with Federal University Gashua in bringing this essential service to their doorstep,” Mamman said.

He said the project is dedicated as a charity borehole in memory of late Muhammed Fethullah Gulen. Students and staff have warmly welcomed the project, noting the convenience and improvement in campus facilities; the facility will also support hygiene efforts on campus, contributing to better health outcomes.

The commissioning ceremony concluded with a demonstration of the borehole’s functionality, symbolizing a new chapter of improved amenities at Federal University Gashua. The university and NEAR Foundation officials expressed optimism for continued collaborations to support the instruction’s growth and sustainability.

FUGA seeks collaboration with NEAR Foundation to address kidney disease in Gashua