FUD, TETFUND to research presence of heavy metal, kidney diseases in Jigawa, Yobe

Federal University Dutse in Jigawa State says it will investigate rampant cases of Kidney diseases in Hadejia valley through the National Research Fund.

This was disclosed by the Lead Research team, Dr. Muhammad Isa Auyo, Head of Department of Biological Sciences of the university in a statement issued to DAILY POST.

He the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND has released N36 million for the conduct of the research.

Dr. Auyo revealed that the title of the research is, ”Rampant kidney diseases in Hadejia Valley, Yobe and Kano States; the Study of Environmental Toxins and Gene Polymorphism”.

The study intends to investigate the prevalence of a gene càlled metallothionein which exposes people of Hadejia valley to kidney diseases.

The research also wants to find out the environmental toxins present in Hadejia Valley in the last 30 years as a result of the use of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides which may have changed the ecosystem over the years.

The chemicals according to him may have affected the food chain especially crops, water and fish consumed by the people and may be responsible for the high prevalence of kidney diseases in the area.

He said the Hadejia Valley which starts from Zakirai in Kano to Hadejia in Jigawa and Gashua in Yobe has the highest rate of kidney diseases in Nigeria.

Dr Auyo said samples of soil, water, vegetables, cereals, fruits, fishes and meat would be taken every month for twenty months to research and hopefully detect the presence of heavy metals in these samples.

DAILY POST reports that the area has recorded a number of kidney cases resulting in the death of many residents.