From Maiharaji Altine Gusau
The Kebbi Government has rehabilitated a boy who was chained for two years along with animals in Badariya area of Birnin Kebbi town, the Kebbi state capital.
Recall that, the boy, Jibrin Umar was chained by his parents for two years along with the animals and was surviving on their food remnants until when he was rescued in 2020 by the Kebbi state government.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to Governor Atiku Bagudu on Media Yahya Sarki said the state government rescued the boy on 14th August, 2020 at Badariya Area, in the State capital and put him under medical care and rehabilitation.
Sarki said, “The boy, who spent fifteen months, undergoing health care was handed over to his parents Aliyu Umar and Rabi Umar on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zara Wali”.
The boy according to Sarki was handed over to his parents in the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Aisha Maikurata as well as the Chief Medical Director and Permanent Secretary, Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, Dr. Aminu Haliru Bunza.
On the occasion, Dr. Aminu Bunza recalled that Jibrin was brought to the hospital in pathetic condition but has now been fully rehabilitated and in good health.
The Chief Medical Director said the boy was subjected to intensive medical care and investigation by twenty professional medical specialists from Usman Danfodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, UDUTH, the University College Hospital, Ibadan, UCH, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH and Doctors based in the state.
Dr. Aminu was glad that Jibrin has now recovered one hundred percent but would still be under medical supervision while at home.
He announced that in furtherance of the magnanimity of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu who shouldered the responsibility of the boy’s medical care, the Governor has also mandated Kebbi State Health Insurance Agency, KECHEMA, to provide health insurance cover to Jibrin which paved way for him to enjoy free medical services.
Dr. Aminu Bunza added that the government would continue to examine the boy’s health and wellbeing on weekly basis.
Furthermore, monthly allowance and feeding would be provided to the family of Jibrin to facilitate good standard of living.
The Chief Medical Director was also grateful to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and his wife, Dr. Zainab Bagudu, for constructing and furnishing a modern two bedroom apartment for the boy at their family house, at Badariya.
In a remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zara Wali, reaffirmed the commitment of Kebbi state government to provide every necessary support to the wellbeing of Jibrin, including food and cash assistance.
From the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, officials of the State Government and parents of the boy moved to the two-bedroom flat built and donated to Jibrin by the Government at Badariya for formal handing over.
At the venue, Hajiya Zara Wali presented fifty thousand naira cash to the family of Jibrin donated by the Wife of the Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu which would be a monthly allowance to the caretaker of the boy for his upkeep.
The father of the boy, Aliyu Umar and the mother, Rabi Aliyu Umar, expressed immense thankfulness to Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and his wife, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu for their compassion, magnanimity, benevolence as well as fatherly and motherly care to their son Jibrin and the entire family.
