The Chairman of Bade Local Government in Yobe State, Hon. Ibrahim Babagana Yurema, has disclosed that six of his family members succumbed to chronic kidney disease despite undergoing dialysis.
Hon. Yurema made this revelation when a research and medical team investigating the causes of kidney disease and related ailments visited his office in Gashua, the headquarters of Bade Local Government.
He described the situation as a major tragedy affecting the community, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in uncovering the causes and developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.
“Gashua is grappling with this serious problem. In my family alone, we have lost six members—all close relatives. This menace has deeply affected me and many others in our community. Most of them died after undergoing dialysis treatment,” he said.
Hon. Yurema noted that the issue has persisted for a long time, affecting numerous households in Bade Emirate, particularly in Gashua town. He assured the research team of the council’s full support in their efforts to find a solution.
He also commended Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni for funding the research, which involves medical experts, geologists, and specialists from the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University.
Dr. Mahmoud Bukar Maina, Special Adviser to the Governor on Science, Research, and Innovation and Director of BioRTC, explained that the research aims to understand the high prevalence of kidney disease in Bade Emirate and other parts of Yobe State.
“We are here to initiate the kidney research project funded by His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni. Our goal is to identify the risk factors contributing to the rising deaths linked to kidney disease in Bade Emirate,” Dr. Maina stated.
The research team comprises experts in nephrology, laboratory science, geology, chemistry, and eco-toxicology, with international collaborators from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Ghana.
Dr. Maina urged residents to cooperate with the researchers, who will collect blood and urine samples and conduct interviews to trace potential environmental, genetic, and lifestyle-related causes of the disease.
“We plan to survey about 2,000 participants across Bade and Damaturu LGAs. Their responses and samples will be critical in determining the underlying factors behind this health crisis,” he added.