Masalaha Foundation: Uplifting the masses
By OKONGWU D.C. OGBONNA
THE history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggles. In fact, if the above statement is not far from the truth, then the establishment of a community-based organisation and self-help group is so vital in our society.
Without any exaggeration, time has gone when people expect others, particularly constituted authorities, to do everything for them. Therefore, it is the time that the public or society should think and initiate or even embark on what should enhance their development.
As such, the establishment of Masalaha Development Association Kano, is a highly welcomed development. The association as a community self-help, was formed over a decade ago, by some patriotic and dedicated sons of 10 areas (quarters) in Gwale and Kano Municipal local government areas of Kano state.
The areas (quarters) which came together to form this popular association are Akwa, Alfindiki, Jingau, Kududdufawa and Kwalwa. Others are Marmara, Sabon Sara, Sheshe, Sudawa and Daneji.
Meanwhile, the association, since its inception has executed so many meaningful projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the areas. Indeed, the association can easily be described as one of the most benevolent ones. Really, all the areas that made up the membership of this association have benefited immensely through its activities.
Certainly, the activities of the association are numerous or even endless if one should name them one after the other. Also, this community-based association, which aims and objectives are based or established on five cardinal principles, is the best among equal.
Moreover, the association always focuses its development projects on the basis of these principles and aims and objectives. The five objectives of this association include, education empowerment; youths development and empowerment; women empowerment, health care delivery (especially women and child care), and provision of social amenities. According to the chairman of the association, in 1998, it reconstruction the Marmara Health Clinic, which was earlier built or established in 1958. Speaking further, the chairman, Alhaji Bashir Shuaibu Marmara, revealed that his association has embarked on the renovation projects in the hospital due to the long term negligence towards the upliftment of the hospital by the authority concerned.
Alhaji Shuaibu again pointed out that various governments in the state did nothing to maintain the hospital, despite its importance to the entire people of the area. Therefore, according to him, this is what prompted the association to embark on such projects in the hospital.
Some of the vital projects executed by the association included building or construction of a 40-bed ward for patients, constructions of two female and children wards. Other projects were the construction of maternity wards, outpatient room, pharmacy and drugs department. The association also provided the hospital with a standby generating set, a borehole with an under-ground tank of 10,000 litres water storage capacity among other things.
In pursuance and accomplishment of its aims and objectives, the association has touched all spheres of life of the people of the affected areas. Since its establishment in 1996, it has so far provided 10 electricity transformers for the 10 outlined areas that teamed up to form the association. Also, the association has awarded scholarship worth millions of Naira to some indigenes of the area, who gained admission into various higher institutions of learning across the country.
In addition, the association, on a yearly basis, pays NECO and WAEC examination fees for the indigenes of the area who cannot afford these payments. Again, the association on several occasions, has sponsored some youths of the 10 quarters on various vocational skills acquisition and trainings, as well as sponsored or financed some under-privileged indigenes of the areas for medical treatments.
Without any doubt, the association has uplifted the lives and living standards of many indigenes of the area from its formation in 1996 to date. For example, the Marmara Hospital, which was renovated at a total cost of over N40 million and subsequently handed over to the Kano state government, is the reference point.
Meanwhile, sometime in January this year, the association added another great crown to its cap. It was joy and happiness for the 10 quarters or members of the association as well as its executive members under the leadership of Alhaji Marmara as Sunday, January 18 this year marked a fulfilment of an obligation and a noble task for it.
On the memorable day, each quarters went home with a wooping sum of N500,000.00; bringing the total sum disbursed to N5 million.
Thought, many might think that the money distributed to the members of the association was for fun or merry making, however, according to the chairman, the money was meant for various development projects in the respective quarters. Moreover, the chairman revealed that before the distribution of the fund, each quarters had submitted its proposals based on their needs.
Lastly, the chairman explained that an account was officially opened for each benefiting area and that was why the money was distributed through the 10 ward heads of the areas, whom he described as the custodian of the people.
In conclusion, the chairman lamented over what the described as lackadaisical attitudes of the authorities concerned on their failure to uplift and upgrade the status of the Marmara hospital. as he put it, the hospital has all what it takes to become a general one. Therefore, he called on the authorities concerned to consider their pleas and urgently come to the aid of the people living in the affected areas.

OGBONNA is a journalist based in Kano.