I have been inundated with calls and text messages from different quarters, primarily inquiring about the role of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung in the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, located in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Others have sought clarification on who exactly facilitated the creation of the medical center.
I will provide an honest response to these inquiries without distorting the facts.
To be honest, no single individual from Southern Kaduna can say he or she single handedly facilitated the establishment of the medical centre. It was a collective effort of various stakeholders with Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governor Uba Sani, Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, Hon. Dan Amos, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah and Comrade Jerry Adams playing prominent roles.
These individuals, in various ways, played a role in ensuring the historic establishment of the Federal Medical Centre by the President.
Senator Sunday Marshall Katung and Hon. Dan Amos engaged in multiple private meetings with Vice President Kashim Shettima and held two meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leveraging their longstanding relationship from Lagos to lobby for presidential approval. This was in addition to pushing for the Federal University of Applied Sciences and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, once the bills successfully passed through the Senate.
You may recall that Senator Katung’s bill for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, was first introduced in the Senate on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, and is currently awaiting public hearing and passage. Vice President Kashim Shettima himself confirmed this on December 29, 2024, during his visit to Bishop Kukah in Ikulu to condole with the family over the passing of His Highness, Yohanna Sidi Kukah, the Agwom Akulu of Ikulu Chiefdom.
During that visit, which I attended, the Vice President stated:
” After discussions with Senator Katung and members of the House of Representatives, we reached out to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously consented to the establishment of a Federal University in Southern Kaduna. Additionally, conversations are ongoing regarding the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan .”
Beyond engaging with the Vice President, Senator Katung also communicated directly with Governor Uba Sani, the Minister of Health, the CDS, Bishop Kukah, and other key stakeholders from Kaduna State to lobby the President for the medical center.
While Senator Katung’s efforts were making significant progress, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, the House of Representatives member for Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency, was also making determined efforts for the same goal. He introduced a similar bill at the House of Representatives. As Chairman of the House Committee on Health Institutions, he ensured his bill progressed swiftly through the House. Hon. Magaji, I am told, also reached out to the Minister of Health to lobby the President for assent once the bill was passed. Additionally, he engaged the CDS to advocate for executive approval of the bill once harmonized with the Senate.
CDS, General CG Musa, also met with the Minister of Health regarding the bills sponsored by his Southern Kaduna colleagues—Senator Katung and Hon. Magaji. The Minister advised the CDS to request Governor Uba Sani to send a letter to the Ministry, formally approving the conversion of Yakowa Memorial Hospital into a Federal Medical Centre. The Minister assured that once the letter was received, he would present it to the President for approval. This information was relayed to the Governor through Comrade Jerry Adams, after which the Governor promptly granted approval. The letter was then drafted and delivered to the Minister.
Upon receiving the letter, the President, in the exercise of his constitutional powers, announced the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan. He also ensured that the medical center was included in the 2025 budget through the Ministry of Health.
WHAT ABOUT THE BILLS?
The bill for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, sponsored by Senator Sunday Marshall Katung and Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, is still at the National Assembly. Although Hon. Amos Magaji’s bill has passed its third reading, it must wait until the Senate passes Senator Katung’s version before a conference committee is set up for concurrence. Only after this process will the bill be transmitted to the President for assent. As of now, both bills remain within the National Assembly.
Thus, the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre was not a direct result of any bill but rather a product of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s executive authority, secured through intensive lobbying by our leaders—both political and non-political.
Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the President’s executive order has significantly facilitated the passage of the bill championed by Senator Katung and Hon. Magaji. With the medical center already established, the legislative process will provide legal backing to it.
If the bill is eventually transmitted to President Tinubu and signed into law—as it is expected to be, by the grace of God—supporters of Senator Katung and Hon. Magaji will have the legitimate right to claim credit for giving legislative validation to the Federal Medical Centre. When the time for political accountability comes, they can proudly list the bill among their legislative achievements. No one should deny them that right, and there is no need for unnecessary disputes over recognition.
May I also add that Senator Barr. Sunday Marshall Katung’s efforts in establishing both the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, and the Federal Medical Centre, Kafanchan, are testaments to his unwavering commitment to the development of his constituency. Similarly, Governor Uba Sani’s practical support for these initiatives highlights his dedication to improving the lives of the people of Kaduna State.
These achievements serve as a reminder that when leaders work together for the common good, remarkable things happen. We must continue to support these leaders in working together, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity, or religion. Let us not fuel division among them. When they succeed, the entire population benefits.
Thank you.
Midat Joseph Kakuri Is the Media Aide
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