The Niger State Government on Thursday said it has released N14 million for the medical treatment of Dauda Mohammed, a former President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS.
Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the state governor, Jide Oritunsin, who disclosed this in Minna, said the association wanted the assistance of the state government for the former president, who hailed from Niger state.
The former president, who was NANS’ President from 2011 to 2012, needs an urgent medical treatment for liver cirrhosis in a recommended Indian hospital.
The association’s President, Chinonso Obasi, on Wednesday led a peaceful protest to the Niger Government House to demand for the immediate release of funds for Mohammed’s treatment.
The NANS’ president said that the delay in releasing the fund was putting Mohammed’s life in danger.
However, Mr Oritunsin said the governor had approved NANS’s request before their peaceful protest, adding that due process must, however, be followed before the release of fund.
“While the process was on, Sallah break set in and delayed the process of release of the money.
“For NANS to accuse the government of deliberate delay was unfair. It is on record that this year alone close to 500 Nigerlites have been assisted on health issues.
“I wonder why the government will single out Mohammed and deny him assistance.
“The life of every Nigerlite is important and government will not shy away from her responsibility because the life of every indigene is important,” he said.
Mr Oritunsin said that government released the money on Wednesday for transfer to Mohammed’s account for the treatment.
When contacted, Obasi said that the Niger State Commissioner for Health, Mustapha Jubril, had confirmed the release of the fund.
NAN
