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Sokoto Hospital Records First Successful Kidney Transplant

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The Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, has successfully conducted its first kidney transplant at the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Urology and Nephrology.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Director of Research and Development at TETFund, Salisu Bakari, praised the achievement, stating that UDUTH had emerged as the best-performing among the 27 TETFund Centres of Excellence nationwide.

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He reaffirmed TETFund’s commitment to supporting the hospital’s sustainability and positioning it as a leading medical centre in Sub-Saharan Africa.

To promote knowledge sharing, he pledged to invite directors from other centres across the country to learn from UDUTH’s success model.

READ ALSO: U.S. Man Who Received First-ever Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Dies

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Bakari also highlighted TETFund’s plans to enhance ICT infrastructure and internet availability in Nigerian tertiary institutions.

He described UDUTH’s accomplishment as one that would benefit the underprivileged and serve as an example of how public funds should be effectively utilized for the masses.

The Vice-Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Bashir Garba, praised the medical team led by Prof. Ismail Mungadi for bringing honour to the institution and the nation at large.

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He assured that the university would work to sustain its kidney transplant programme for the benefit of Nigerians.

He also urged the governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States to assist in constructing a dedicated facility for kidney transplant patients.

READ ALSO: Kidney Stones: What You Need To Know

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The Chief Medical Director of UDUTH, Prof. Anas Sabir, commended the hospital staff, particularly the Urology and Nephrology Department, for their dedication.

He assured that UDUTH would continue investing in workforce capacity building, emphasising that the strong partnership between UDUTH and its parent institution, UDUS, has been instrumental in the hospital’s success.

Governors of Sokoto and Kebbi States pledged their full support for the centre.

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The Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Yunusa Ismail, representing Governor Nasir Idris, expressed pride in the transplant’s success, highlighting its potential to reduce medical tourism and provide affordable treatment for citizens.

He assured that Governor Idris remains committed to supporting the centre to make its services accessible to ordinary Nigerians.

READ ALSO: How Organ Harvesters Deceived Villagers To Sell Their Kidneys

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Similarly, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Umar Faruk, representing Governor Ahmed Aliyu, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability of UDUTH’s achievements.

He noted that the governor’s “Nine-Point Smart Agenda” prioritises healthcare, as reflected in the highest budgetary allocation to the health sector in the state’s 2025 budget. He further disclosed plans for a Memorandum of Understanding between Sokoto State and UDUTH to enhance healthcare delivery.

To further demonstrate the government’s support, Governor Aliyu announced a cash donation of N10m to the centre.

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In his goodwill message, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Galadima Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, commended the hospital’s management for their achievement.

He assured that the Sultanate Council stands ready to support the hospital’s continued growth.
(PUNCH)

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Immigration Officer Gets N5m For Arresting Fleeing Ritualist

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An immigration officer, Ugochukwu Orji, who arrested a fleeing Enugu State-based native doctor accused of killing and kidnapping people for rituals, has been rewarded with N5 million for his efforts by an industrialist, Ebuka Onunkwo.

Onunkwo, who is also a senatorial aspirant for the Anambra South senatorial by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, hosted the immigration officer at his residence in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, according to a press statement released by his media team on Tuesday.

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Orji was at his duty post along the Seme Border area last month when the fleeing native doctor, popularly known as “Ichie Billion” attempted to use a motorcycle to cross over to the Benin Republic from Nigeria at Seme Border, but having seen his face on the internet, he quickly intercepted him.

READ ALSO: Our Country A Home, Not Hotel, Badenoch Decries UK Immigration Crisis

Recall that “Ichie Billion”, who hails from Umuojor village in the Isiagu Community of Enugu State, had been on the run after being declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl and alleged multiple ritual killings.

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The native doctor was thereafter intercepted by the Nigerian Immigration Service and subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Police Command following his arrest at the border by the immigration officers.

Onunkwo, an industrialist, while presenting a cheque of ₦5 million to the immigration officer at his residence, said the gesture was part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and encouragement for moral renaissance in the society.

 

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Tariff Hikes Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Power Crisis, Expert Tells Tinubu

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Attempts by the current administration to rely on increased electricity tariffs to resolve Nigeria’s chronic power supply issues are unlikely to succeed, according to energy expert Nick Agu.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Agu argued for a fundamental restructuring of the power sector, prioritising infrastructure over tariff hikes.

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Responding to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s optimism and recent celebration of Nigeria reaching a new peak generation of over 5,000 megawatts, Agu acknowledged the incremental increase as “a good thing, is good news.”

However, he quickly added, “But should we celebrate? The answer is probably not.”

READ ALSO: Investors Gain N1.93trn In 2 Days As Stock Market Hits 15-year High

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Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

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READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos

Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

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“So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

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From 158 To 351: Lagos Teen Excels In UTME After Initial Glitch

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A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has achieved a remarkable aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.

Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, described the feat as the result of determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour.

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A statement on Tuesday revealed that it was her second attempt at the UTME, explaining that her initial score of 158 was later invalidated due to technical issues experienced at her exam centre.

She said, “In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine.

READ ALSO: Mass Failure: UTME Candidates To Sue JAMB Over Technical Glitches

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“Consequently, the examination body authorised a resit to address these irregularities. In the resit, I achieved a score of 351.”

She added that her parents played a crucial role in supporting her academic journey by fostering a learning-friendly environment at home.

“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she shared.

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Apampa also credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and frequent mock examinations.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: JAMB Admits To Errors In 2025 UTME

The frequent mock exams at our learning centre were a great help in my preparation for UTME,” she said.

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In his reaction to the learning centre head, Osayi Izedonmwen, stellar 98 per cent pass rate in the 2025 UTME, attributed the achievement to its hybrid learning approach.

“At Teesas, we are fully IT-equipped to seamlessly support both online and physical learning within a convenient and friendly environment. This has played a key role in helping our students excel,” Izedonmwen stated.

Apampa is no stranger to academic excellence. She was placed on her school’s Honours list after securing 10 As and one B in her Junior WAEC.

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She has also represented her school in international competitions, such as the Conrad Challenge, where her team reached the final stage and earned a special mention.

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