It’s our great privilege and honor to welcome you all for to the 12^th Annual scientific conference and all-fellows’ congress (ASCAF) of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, which will be held at one of the finest hotels of Kano, Bristol Palace in Kano Metropolis, from 7^th to 12^th August, 2017. This is the second time Kano is hosting such a great national meting, and we are working round the clock towards making it a resounding success and an unforgettable experience for all

Kano is the state capital of Kano State in North-West, Nigeria. It is situated in the Sahelian geographic region, south of the Sahara. Kano is the commercial nerve center of Northern Nigeria and is the second largest city in Nigeria, after Lagos. The total area of Metropolitan Kano now spans 499 square kilometres (193 square miles), with a population of 2,828,861 as of the 2006 Nigerian national census.

The city is the capital of the Kano Emirate. The current emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was enthroned on 8 June 2014 after the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the thirteenth emir of Kano Emirate, on Friday, 6 June 2014. The city’s Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, the main airport serving northern Nigeria, was named after the erstwhile politician Mallam Aminu Kano.

The economic significance of Kano dates back to the pre-colonial Africa when Kano city served as the southernmost point of the famous trans-Sahara trade routes. Kano was well connected with many cities in North Africa and some cities in southern Europe. Formerly walled, most of the gates to the Old City survived. The Old City houses the vast Kurmi Market, known for its crafts, while old dye pits — still in use — lie nearby. In the Old City are the Emir’s Palace, the Great Mosque, and the Gidan Makama Museum.

A number of tertiary health and academic institutions are present within Kano metropolis. Notable among these institutions include the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), the National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOH) Dala, the Bayero Univeristy Kano, North-West University and the Kano State University of Technology Wudil. The Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital and the Abdullahi Wase Specialist Hospital complement the services of AKTH and NOH Dala.

The emergence of large retail outlets starting from early 2000 with Sahad Stores and Jifatu departmental stores revived investor confidence in the sector which led to the construction of the Ado Bayero mall, then the largest shopping mall in Nigeria with a retail space of 24,000 square metres (260,000 square feet). It has the popular film house cinemas, the South African retail giants Shoprite and Game stores as anchor partners.

Apart from stimulating symposia and scientific meetings, the social components of the congress will enable you to meet friends and enjoy the beauty of Kano. So, block your dates from now, book flights in advance and come join us for a memorable event – the best ever ASCAF congress in recent years. Detailed information on abstract submission, conference registration etc will be communicated soon. We look forward to seeing you in Kano.

Dr. Musa Mohammed Borodo
Chairman, Local Organising Committee