Yobe Hospital Breaks Medical Glass Ceiling: First-Ever Jaw Reconstruction Surgery in Yobe

By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu

In a groundbreaking moment for regional healthcare, surgeons at the Yobe State Specialist Hospital (YSSH) have successfully performed a highly complex segmental mandibulectomy, marking the first time such an advanced oral and maxillofacial procedure has been completed at any state-owned medical facility across Nigeria’s entire Northeast region.

The surgical team, led by Dr Muhammad Ayuba Fusami, a Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, with critical support from Dr Peter Umejiego, operated on a 40-year-old woman suffering from mandibular ameloblastoma—a benign but aggressive tumour attacking the lower jawbone.

“This surgery aims to remove a diseased section of the mandible,” explained Professor Usman Abba Geidam, the hospital’s chief medical director, during the announcement in Damaturu. The procedure went beyond simple extraction: surgeons reconstructed the patient’s jaw using advanced reconstruction plates combined with an iliac crest bone graft—harvesting bone from her hip to rebuild what disease had destroyed.

The medical milestone signals more than surgical precision. According to Professor Geidam, it represents a turning point in Yobe State’s healthcare trajectory. “This successful procedure reflects our sustained journey toward specialised and tertiary healthcare services,” he stated, emphasising that the achievement stems from deliberate government investment under Governor Mai Mala Buni’s administration.

The strategic push has focused on three pillars: modernising hospital infrastructure, expanding specialised medical capabilities, and—crucially—retaining top-tier medical talent within the state rather than losing them to better-funded institutions elsewhere.

For patients, the implications are life-changing. Previously, Northeast residents requiring such sophisticated interventions faced the gruelling prospect of interstate referrals—costly journeys that delayed treatment and strained families. “The government’s commitment continues to reduce dependence on referrals outside the state,” Geidam noted, “improving access to advanced medical care for our people.”

The patient is currently recovering and responding positively to post-operative treatment, hospital officials confirmed.

As YSSH looks ahead, Professor Geidam pledged continued professionalism and sustained efforts to cement the hospital’s reputation as a specialised healthcare hub—not merely serving Yobe State, but potentially drawing patients from across a region long underserved by advanced medical infrastructure.

The Arbiter

How I Returned from the Gate of the Other World (3)

By Hassan Gimba

I want to believe Allah (SWT) brought me back to read my scorecard. He does that whenever He wants. All the more reason to forgive those who transgressed against you and seek forgiveness from those you have hurt. Importantly, Dr Imdad of Al Shifa Hospital told me that one should continue doing the good things they have been doing for humanity.

And this was why He answered the prayers of the multitude of people who interceded with Him on my behalf. People, some I knew, many I never knew from Adam. There were prayers in the National Mosque in Abuja; in many mosques, including the central mosque in Potiskum, and in several local governments in Yobe.

There were special prayers by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in Potiskum and several other centres. Nigerian brothers in Qum and Karbala also contributed their quota. And these prayers were not only on Fridays but also at every given opportunity.

Individuals also contracted others to pray for me; even their children, from as early as when they were able to talk, prayed for me. The prayers of some kids were recorded and sent to Makkah, where they were replayed in my ear when I was sojourning between this world and the other.

My siblings, in addition to many other forms of prayer, shared and read portions of the Holy Qur’an amongst themselves and with our children. They did not leave out the youngest, who could read the holy book. The same with my in-laws in Maiduguri.

A person may be forgiven if they thought Facebook and other social media apps were created for them because the people praying for them took them over. It is heartwarming that many, many people — family, friends, associates, those known and unknown to me — were all praying for me. I was surprised to hear that some Christian associates, pastors and a church in Ghana had put me in their prayers, too.

On my birthday, April 9, social media was filled with messages of goodwill, “get well soon” wishes and prayers for more health and a long life. Many people I did not even expect were so prominent in their prayers for me. Exemplary examples, out of many, were distinguished Senator Musa Mustapha (Coolers) and Professor Abubakar Bukar Kagu, the Matawalli of Machina. The senator’s message was long and heart-touching.

In Makkah, too, prayers for me were many and earnest. Many of those who knew me and went for Umrah prayed for me. Even the Makkah dwellers we encountered, such as our landlord Ali Bukar, his family, and numerous others, did not lag behind. My two wives, Dr Aminat Zakari and Hajiya Falmata Baba Adam, together with my son Abubakar Sadik, were always performing Umrah and, most times, circumambulating the al-Ka’bah al-Musharrafah (simply Ka’aba). On all occasions, they were praying for me. But the prayers were not limited to this.

I was in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Al Shifa, and visits were twice a day — 11 am and 9 pm — for 30 minutes each. One night, my wife, Dr Aminat, visited. I was then between this world and the other one and so did not even know she came because I was not aware of my physical environment. She watched me, cried, and left, but she did not go far; she sat outside the hospital crying and praying for me.

According to her, Dr Tamer, the chief medical officer there, came down to go home. He saw her and stopped. Then she realised it was around 1:30 am. He asked her, “You are still around?” She answered him in the affirmative. It was not visiting time then, yet he asked her, “Do you want to see him?” and she said, “Yes.” He broke the rule and brought her in to see me, forgoing his need to go home and rest.

When they came to me, she was just watching me and shedding tears. To her surprise, he, too, started tearing up. Then he showed his humility and belief in Allah’s powers and will. He told her, “Please pray for him and pray for us (the medical team) … we are also praying for him.” He would tell my family not to worry when they asked for the hospital bills. “Let us take care of him first,” he would say.

I used to think Arabs were racists, but the doctors and nurses at Al Shifa have cleansed me of that thought. Here was I, a poor Black man from Nigeria who could not profit them in any way, yet they gave their all to restore my health.

Doctor Tamer is like a father figure wherever he is. He always electrifies the hospital whenever he arrives. He went out of his way to get me a visa, get insurance to underwrite my hospital bills and secure an airline well-equipped to bring me home.

Dr Nazee, who was directly in charge of me, was a bubbly chap who also, like Dr Tamer, took my case personally.

Dr Imdad, the only non-Egyptian among them, is a Pakistani with a melodious voice. He presents the impression of being the life of the party. Kind-hearted, he comes close to a patient, propping him up psychologically. I recall him telling me to eat food. “You may not like it,” he told me. “Just eat.” And that was how I found myself eating the spiceless, bland Arabian food served to me.

Dr Hassan and Dr Ahmed Alsaid are two other great doctors there.

I could not get the name of the hospital’s chief executive officer, who used to come to the hospital now and then. One day, he stood by the door and blew kisses towards me. He, too, knew about Gimba the Fighter.

Hey, do you want to know about a nurse at Al Shifa Hospital whose wonderful-great-grandparents might have fought side by side with the Prophet at the Battle of Badr or who was born around that time?

Hassan Gimba is the publisher and CEO of Neptune Prime.

Gombe APC Primaries: Attajiri Rejects Results, Claims No Election in Balanga/Billiri

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Alfred John Attajiri, has rejected the outcome of the party’s primary election for Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in Gombe State, alleging that no election was conducted before results were announced.

Mr Attajiri, in a statement issued on Saturday, described the declaration of results as “a direct assault on democracy”, insisting that party members across the constituency were denied a credible electoral process.

The APC chieftain accused a former Gombe State commissioner, Hon. Mohammed Sa’idu Yila Fawu, of announcing results for what he termed a non-existent exercise.

According to him, videos, photographs and eyewitness accounts from various wards in Balanga and Billiri indicated that no valid primary election took place.

“It is deeply disturbing that results were announced for a process that never held across our constituency,” he said.

Mr Attajiri warned that such actions could damage the credibility of the APC and weaken public confidence in democratic processes if left unchecked.

“We are all loyal members of the APC and have remained committed to the growth and success of the party. However, when injustice is allowed to thrive openly within the system, Nigerians will naturally begin to question the integrity of future elections,” he stated.

He said residents and party supporters in Balanga/Billiri were disappointed by the development, noting that democracy should not be reduced to the announcement of predetermined results.

The aspirant called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, to intervene in the matter to restore confidence in the party.

He maintained that silence over the controversy could encourage impunity and alienate party loyalists who believe in fairness and due process.

Mr Attajiri, however, urged his supporters and residents of the constituency to remain peaceful and law-abiding despite the tension generated by the disputed primary.

“Our struggle is for justice, not violence. We remain confident that truth will prevail and that the voices of the people cannot be permanently silenced,” he added.

The controversy surrounding the APC primaries in Balanga/Billiri comes amid heightened political activities in Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections, with internal party contests already exposing cracks among aspirants and stakeholders.