ISMA  KANO GRADUATED FIRST AIDERS.

The Islamic Movement Medical Association (ISMA), Kano chapter held its maiden formal graduation ceremony of students trained on Basic First Aid. The occasion was held on Sunday, the 7^th of JImada thaniya, 1430 H equivalent to 31^st May, 2009 CE at the Fagge social centre, 2-5 pm. The master of ceremony (MC) was Alh Kabiru Kabara, who is one of prominent ISMA members at both the state and the national levels. Alh Yusuf Bichi, who heads the Bichi wing of the Islamic Movement, represented Malam Muhammad Turi as the Special guest of the occasion. Malam Abdulkarim Usamatu Katsina was the guest speaker.

The customary opening prayer and recitation from the Holy Quran were performed by Malam Ishaq Gano and a representative of Malam Ali Rimin  gado respectively. Zahraddeen, who doubles as a poet and among those to be graduated, refreshed the audience with some eloquent prose. He also led a tamsiliyya (drama) which depicted some of the great challenges facing the medical personnel more especially in terms of re-orientation of the attitude of the generality of the people towards comprehending the mission of the Islamic Movement. A total of 58 students were graduated from three schools. First Aid Schools at Rijiyar lemo, Gano and Durbunde graduated 26, 12 and 20 students respectively.

Malam Yahaya Kunya, the head of the Kano ISMA chapter, elaborated on the genesis of the establishment of the First Aid group of schools in and around Kano. He pointed to the fact that this graduation ceremony is the third. The other two were not organized formally. That was the reason for calling this one as the “first”. He emphasized that all those trained should restrict themselves to the ethics of basic First Aid only.

In his elaborate lecture, Mal Usamatu emphasized the importance of First Aid training in the context of the Islamic Movement. He explained that the basic First Aid training is like an appetizer. So the graduands should brace up to go into the main menu.  He encouraged them to increase their quest for further advanced studies. He argued that the medical practitioner has the greatest weapon to attract people towards comprehending the aim of the Islamic Movement. This would pave way for the generality of our people to participate in its activities and even make meaningful contribution towards its development. He noted the need for all medical professionals - Medical Officers, Pharmacists, Laboratory technicians etc and first aiders to work in harmony for the better. In his final remarks, Malam Abdulkarim enjoined all the medical personnel in the Movement to hold fast to the ethics of their profession, work hard, go for further training and re-training to update their knowledge and work for the sake of Allah.

Malam Yusuf Bichi, on the other hand, encouraged brothers to work towards possessing some permanent health outfits such as a standard hospital. He hoped that ISMA could further train personnel on specialized cases such as ENT and pediatrics. He also encouraged ISMA to develop programs on prevention of diseases, more especially water borne diseases. He called for co-operation between ISMA and the Academic Forum on guidance and counseling so that our children could be encouraged to choose careers in the medical field. He enjoined parents to give moral and financial support towards the success of this move and NOT to succumb to peer group tendencies. He also called on ISMA to identify other medical professionals who have not been fully participating in their activities with a view to encouraging them to offer their valuable contribution. Lastly, but not the least, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi enjoined the graduating students and other brothers in the medical profession to always conduct their affairs for the sake of ALLAH.

The following Prizes were distributed at the occasion:

Bajimin Wakilai Prize: (Outstanding leader of the Movement’s Units) Prize, which was won by Mal Ishaq Gano, the leader of the Gano unit of the Islamic Movement. This prize signifies the leader who has shown outstanding support to ISMA activities, more especially on matters relating to the First Aid training in his unit. Teacher of the year Prizes were presented to Malam Lawan Dahiru Rogo and Malam Suleiman Abdullahi Bichi. Best School Prize was given to Durbunde First Aid Training School. Students’ prizes were yet to be computed as at the compilation of this report. Certificates on Basic First Aid, together with First Aid kits, were given to a cross section of the graduating students.

 Many distinguished guests graced the occasion. These include, among others, Malam Abdullahi Katsina. Malam Ayuba Ibrahim made the vote of thanks and the occasion ended with prayers from Alh Yusuf Bichi.

Dauda Nalado reports from Kano.