Emir of Gadaka urges expansion of Spine, Nerve Centre to Yobe, assures security for investors

By Juliana Francis

His Royal Highness, Dr. Alhaji Isma’ila Mamman Gadaka, the Emir of Gadaka Emirate, has called on the co-founder and Clinical Director of the Spine and Nerve Centre, Dr. Craig Slapinski, to establish a branch of the facility in Yobe State.

The traditional ruler appealed at the grand opening of the Spine and Nerve Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, where he emphasised that Yobe State is peaceful and in urgent need of specialised medical services such as those offered by the clinic.

He noted that the centre’s services, particularly its non-surgical spinal decompression therapy for neck and back pain, would greatly benefit residents of the North-East who often travel long distances, including abroad, to seek medical treatment.

“It is truly a wonderful moment for me to witness something unique,” the Emir said. “Nigerians often have to travel to Europe and Asia for medical treatment. Some travel without even knowing that their condition can be treated without surgery. Now that we have this centre in Abuja, it will save people a lot of money that would have been spent abroad.”

The Emir recalled that the first Spine and Nerve Centre in Nigeria was established in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, and commended the expansion of the facility to Lagos State, describing it as a significant step in improving access to specialised healthcare in the country.

He further urged the management of the centre to consider broader national expansion, particularly to underserved regions.

“I call for the centre to open in the North-East, particularly in Yobe State,” he said. “My people often travel abroad for this type of treatment. Now that we have centres in Abuja and Lagos, I urge the management to consider opening one in each geopolitical zone of the country.

That would be a major step forward.”
Addressing concerns about insecurity in parts of the North-East, the Emir assured Dr. Slapinski and his team that Yobe State remains safe for investment and professional practice.

“It is not everywhere that terrorists are in control. The North-East, particularly Yobe State, is safer now than many other parts of the country. The issue of attack or destruction of facilities does not arise,” he stated. “The government has invested heavily in hospitals and infrastructure, and such a centre would be safe.”

Reacting to recent security challenges in the region, including reported attacks on military personnel, the Emir expressed confidence in ongoing government efforts to strengthen peace and stability.
“The current government is working hard to ensure that traditional rulers have a role in the constitution. With the ongoing constitutional amendment, I believe traditional rulers will have a recognised role, which will help address some of these challenges,” he added.

The Emir of Gadaka, who is widely respected for his contributions to cultural and educational development in Yobe State, reiterated his appeal for increased medical investment in the North-East. He stressed that establishing the Spine and Nerve Centre in the region would significantly reduce the burden on patients who currently travel long distances or abroad for specialised treatment.

He concluded that expanding access to such healthcare services would not only improve quality of life but also strengthen Nigeria’s medical tourism capacity and reduce foreign medical expenditure.