konknaijaboy | On 03, Oct 2013

Africa’s richest citizen, Aliko Dangote is not one to be left behind where ambitious ventures are concerned.

Alhaji Dangote has revealed that he is planning to build a state-of-the-art hospital in Kano State, Nigeria and the cost of the facility is pegged at a whopping N2billion.

The Dangote Foundation yesterday reportedly began the construction of what has been described as one of “Africa’s most ambitious health facilities”.

President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said he was planning to build the world’s best hospital in the state.

He said the plan would end the medical tourism, which has cost Nigeria billions of naira.

The hospital, which has been named Mariya Sanusi Dantata Ultramodern Theatre Complex, has modern facilities, including a diagnostic laboratory.

The complex would be built within the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital in Kano.

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony in Kano yesterday, the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the gesture was meant to support government’s efforts at achieving a sound health programme for the people.

Dangote said only healthy people can contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.

He said: “It is not just about creating a modern, new, sorely needed medical facility in this great city of ours. It is about our broader commitment to systematically improve the health and well-being of the people. This is one of our areas of focus.

“We believe that every Nigerian has a right to quality health care. We also believe that it is our collective duty to rally our resources to improve health infrastructure, support the development of health care professionals and improve preventive health measures in Nigeria.

“Today, we are pleased to be able to stand with the Governor as he lays the foundation stone for the 5-storey ultramodern theatre complex.”

Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso said the new facilities would eliminate the need to travel out of the country for treatment.

He hailed the Dangote Foundation for its interventions in Kano, making reference to a recent N600 million women empowerment scheme by the Dangote Group.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said medical tourism cost Nigeria about N80 billion annually.

He urged other wealthy Nigerians to emulate Dangote’s philanthropic spirit.