By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
In a demonstration of inclusivity, the Kaduna State Government has adopted over 1,000 exchange students from the 19 Northern states schooling in Kaduna and enrolled them into free healthcare coverage under the Kaduna State Contributory Health Management Authority, KADCHMA.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Kaduna State Senior Secondary School Education Board, KADSSEB, and KADCHMA, was launched yesterday at Queen Amina College, Kaduna, one of the two host schools for the exchange program.
Speaking at the launch, the Director-General of KADCHMA, Mallam Abubakar Hassan, said the gesture aligns with Governor Uba Sani’s inclusivity agenda and his commitment to the welfare of students far from home.
Hassan, who recalled his own admission to Federal Government College, Kano, on 2nd November, 1985, said his joy knew no bounds upon returning to support students, noting that health is wealth.
He announced that all the exchange students have been adopted as children of His Excellency, Dr. Senator Uba Sani, whom he described as the inclusive governor who cares deeply about how students are managed in school.
“The welfare of our students is a major concern for His Excellency, Governor Senator Uba Sani. Because your parents are far away from this state, for example, a child from Kebbi, a child from Gombe, His Excellency is giving that father, that mother the assurance that your welfare is now our concern,” Hassan said.
He explained that the free healthcare access means that when a student falls ill, the first point of care will be the school sickbay, and where it goes beyond that, the student will be taken to the nearest primary healthcare center and, if needed, to secondary and tertiary facilities without parents paying a kobo.
“We are not even asking that you go back home, but we are beginning to tell you that Kaduna State is home. Take your health seriously and do not hide any ailment; report to your house masters, house mistresses, or the principal,” he urged.
Hassan thanked Governor Uba Sani for being the first in Northern Nigeria and in Nigeria to initiate such integration, describing Kaduna as the Learning State where human capital development remains a priority.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of KADSSEB, Dr. Suwaiba Shehu Ibrahim, mni, said the exchange program is designed to foster integration and unity among young people from the 19 Northern states, with over 1,000 students hosted at Queen Amina College for girls and Barewa College, Zaria for boys.
Dr. Ibrahim expressed gratitude to Governor Uba Sani for immediately approving the initiative when it was presented to him, and commended KADCHMA for taking swift action by registering students at both schools.
She noted that KADCHMA, in collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC, is also enrolling students without a National Identity Number on the spot.
“The welfare of these children who are far away from their parents is our business. With this scheme, any exchange student who is sick, whether minor or major ailment, now has access to free healthcare without parents traveling from Kebbi or other states,” she said.
On her part, the Principal of Queen Amina College, Zainab Muhammad, said the health of all students has been taken care of, noting that if one is not healthy, one cannot study.
Muhammad appreciated Governor Uba Sani, Dr. Ibrahim, and Mallam Hassan for the initiative, stressing that what was done directly touches students and is not only for Kaduna State but for the whole of Northern Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Yotua Martha Doofan from Benue State, thanked Governor Uba Sani and all stakeholders for the kind gesture, describing it as a good example to them as future leaders.
She prayed for journey mercies for all guests and for God’s peace upon Governor Uba Sani for his support to the students.