More than 600 Nigerians have undergone free surgical procedures in Kontagora, Niger State, as part of activities marking the 83rd birthday celebration of former Kano State Military Administrator and Chairman of Dantata & Sawoe Nigeria Limited, Col. Sani Bello (Rtd).
The medical outreach, conducted by the Col. Sani Bello Foundation in partnership with the Graceland Healthcare Development Foundation, took place at the General Hospital, Kontagora, and targeted patients suffering from fibroids, hernias, appendicitis, goiters, lumps, and various eye conditions such as cataracts and pterygium.
In addition to the surgeries, over 600 eyeglasses were distributed to patients with vision impairments after undergoing tests.
Last year, the foundation provided similar free medical interventions to 550 patients, including thyroidectomies, myomectomies, hysterectomies, multiple hernia repairs, and more than 100 cataract extractions—each procedure valued between ₦90,000 and ₦100,000.
This year’s outreach recorded 399 general surgeries, 117 eye operations, and 199 dental procedures, alongside the distribution of 174 toothpaste and toothbrush dispensers and 122 dental medications. The medical team also carried out 91 tooth extractions, 59 tooth washings, and 45 tooth replacements, while 4,680 assorted drugs were dispensed to patients suffering from various ailments.
Beneficiaries came from across Nigeria’s 36 states—including Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Ondo—and from all 25 local government areas of Niger State.
Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Usman Sani Bello, said the initiative was driven by a commitment to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, especially at a time when access to healthcare has become increasingly burdensome due to economic pressures.
“Health is one of the biggest challenges facing Nigerians today. With the current economic realities, many people simply cannot afford basic medical care. This outreach is our way of helping humanity,” he said.
Bello added that the foundation plans to expand its medical efforts, including leveraging the upcoming Sani Bello University’s hospital to provide more advanced medical tests locally, reducing the need for patients to travel to Minna or Abuja.
“We can’t leave everything for the government. Healthcare is a shared responsibility,” he said.
Chief Surgeon and Chairman of the Graceland Foundation, Dr. Tort Joseph, noted that while standard procedures were handled on-site, more complex cases—such as neurofibroma surgeries—were fully funded and referred to tertiary hospitals like the National Eye Centre in Kaduna.
Director General of the Sani Bello Foundation, Dr. Zakari Ikani, emphasized that the outreach was open to all Nigerians, with beneficiaries selected through public advertisements and text-based applications, requiring no personal connections.
Beyond medical missions, the foundation supports youth and families through scholarships, vocational training, and a malnutrition center that has assisted more than 10 children this year amid rising economic hardship.
600 Nigerians Get Free Surgeries as Sani Bello Marks 83rd Birthday
