Kano State government and Pfizer have held their routine yearly meeting to highlight the progress of work in the Kano Independent Research Centre Trust (KIRCT).
Under the partnership, the Kano government provided land, while Pfizer provided funds for the establishment of a world-class research centre at Dawakin Kudu, Kano.
The centre conducts bio-medical (and healthcare) research with a focus on communicable and non-communicable diseases of public health importance in Nigeria and Africa. It also executes programmes for workforce development in public health and offers clinical services for communicable and non-communicable diseases.
According to a statement from the parties, yesterday, since the establishment of the trust and the implementation of a strategic plan four years ago, great strides have been made in the volume and quality of research at the centre.
While in Kano, the delegation, led by Pfizer Cluster Lead, Sub-Sahara Africa, Rhulani Nhlaniki, visited the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, before meeting with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Abdullahi Bichi, who stood in for Governor Abba Yusuf.
In his remarks, Bayero said he was conversant with the centre’s establishment and was keen to sustain the role played by his forebears in its development.
“I give thanks to Allah that the centre is being further developed for the benefit of the people. We will give full and continued support for the trust to make progress. Be assured of my support and the cooperation of the Emirate,” he said.
Pfizer legal counsel and member of the delegation, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), told the governor’s representative about their meeting in the ancient city.
“We usually hold yearly meetings where the KIRCT Board of Trustees (BoT) reports to the donors on the progress of the centre. This is one of our usual meetings, but it is significant due to the change in the administration of our co-donor, the Kano government,” he said.
The meeting expressed appreciation to those whose hard work resulted in the international research centre in Kano.
The attendees also paid tribute to a trustee, Prof Kamil Alausa, who died on November 10, 2023, for his significant contribution to the work of KIRCT and wished the Director General, Prof Hamisu Salihu, and the Executive Secretary, David Odiwo, a successful tenure.
“With their selfless service, the research centre continues to be operational and managed sustainably to deliver immense value to the people of Kano, Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” the statement reads.
