The Kaduna State government has renamed the General Hospital, Kafanchan, as the Patrick Yakowa Hospital in honour of the late governor of the state, who died in a helicopter crash on December 15, 2012.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor El-Rufa’I on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan.

The state government said it was following a tradition of naming general hospitals in the state after individuals who have distinguished themselves in public service.

“Governor Yakowa capped a distinguished career in public service with the two highest political offices in Kaduna State. He was Deputy Governor and then Governor, before his unfortunate demise in an helicopter crash.

“The general hospitals in the major cities in Kaduna State are named in honour of citizens who had made notable contributions to the state. The general hospital in Zaria bears the name of Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, an activist who fought for Nigeria’s independence. The eminent name of Dr. Barau Dikko, the first medical doctor from Northern Nigeria and first president of the Northern Peoples Congress, graces the hospital in Kaduna that was recently accredited as a teaching hospital,” the statement read.

It added that other individuals after whom general hospitals were named after included the celebrated late traditional ruler of Kagoro, Gwamna Awan, and Yusuf Dantsoho, a renowned public servant.