Governor Nasir El- Rufai of Kaduna State said the state government has signed a first-of-its kind Memoradum of Understanding with a private medical group to deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), better known as, drones, to deliver vaccines and other medical supplies to residents of the state.

The governor who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen said the state government took the major step towards reversing the losses to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has cost the state 57 lives, as at February 6.

According to statistics from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 7804 persons have been infected with the virus in the state while 7467 persons were treated and discharged, 280 cases are on admission.

This method of procurement and distribution of vaccines and medications is a novelty in Nigeria pioneered by the state government as other states are reportedly negotiating with the company to enter a similar working relationship.

The clamour for the company’s services was influ­enced by the success rate of the medical delivery firm, Zipline, which has the distinction of having delivered more than one million doses of other vaccines in Africa over the past year.

The novel delivery of vaccines and other drugs in Kaduna is planned to start in the second quarter with 30 drones working full time from three distribution centres.

To accomplish this goal, el-Rufai said the state government has upgraded 255 primary health centres, installed a pharmagrade warehouse and is recruiting and training 3,000 officers to manage the facilities.

http://worldafrica.com.ng/2021/02/10/covid-19-why-we-are-deploying-drones-to-deliver-vaccines-el-rufai/

1. LIEUTENANT SHITU KYOM LEO.

Lieutenant Shitu Kyom Leo was from Kaduna State and he was killed two weeks to his wedding by Boko Haram. According to newsmen, "he was a former student of ECWA Staff School in Jos, Plateau State, he left the Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria when he was a second year student of history to attend the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA)."

Friends and family wrote a tributes to him.

Miss Nkechi Afamu wrote: “RIP LEO, My Childhood friend. I can’t believe you are gone, what happens to Tida and Wyari your lovely sisters. I can’t question God but its hard to say Goodbye. REST ON KY. we will all miss you.”

“Rest in peace gentleman Officer. Lieutenant You died as a hero, doing what we have signed for."

2. CAPTAIN KENNETH ONUBAH.

Report has it that, "Captain Onubah was from Ifite-Oraifite in Anambra State. He was killed in an ambushed by Boko Haram."

The late Captain Onubah was buried with his late colleagues.

3. LANCE CORPORAL DAVID USMAN.

Usman David was also killed by Boko Haram terrorists at the Nigeria-Chad border. Newsmen disclosed that, "his mother, 55-year-old cried out that the Nigerian Federal Government has neglected them. In an interview with Punch, she narrated her experience. The late Usman was aged 37 when he was killed and he left two children and a wife as at the time he was killed." 

4. MAJOR SAMUEL JEGA KANADY DALAKY.

The late Major Dalaky was killed in Yobe State. According to newsmen, "he was popularly known as Major Dalaky amongst his friends and colleagues he hailed from Gombe State. An old boy of the Nigerian Military School, NMS, Zaria, he was a member of the 50th Regular Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna State. He was survived by two children and his wife. His family spoke out against any amnesty offer to the Boko Haram terrorists."

5. COLONEL KABIRU SALISU.

"The late Colonel Kabiru was killed when his armoured personnel carrier (APC) was attacked by Boko Haram militants. A respected troop commander, his vehicle came under a barrage of artillery fire, burst into flames killing him and others in the vehicle." His death raised concerns over the safety of the equipment supplied to Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram. A report was stated that, "about the same time, over 200 wives of Nigerian soldiers of the 103 Battalion in Enugu took to the streets to protest the posting of their husbands to Borno and Yobe states." May his soul rest in peace.

6. CAPTAIN BENJAMIN TOYIRING SULE.

Captain Benjamin Toyiring Sule was a gallant Soldier killed during an ambushed by Boko Haram in the battle field in Bama, Borno State. He got married newly then after one month he was posted to Borno. Benjamin Sule is survived by parents, siblings and his wife.

All these men died for serving their father's land. Their families and friends are in pain. Let's continue to pray for God's comfort and grace.

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