Gov Buni Mourns As Family Narrates Deaths Of Twin Sisters 48 Hours Apart

Members of the Usman family of Yobe State have narrated the tragic death of their twin sisters 48 hours apart.

The deceased were Dr Hadiyah Usman, a medical doctor, and Dr Aidah Usman, a pharmacist.

Already, the incidents have attracted condolences from Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, who described the deaths as a painful and devastating loss to the family, the medical profession and the people of the state.

Hadiyah, who was undergoing her internship at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru, died on Friday after reportedly battling complications associated with sickle cell disease.

Her twin sister, Aidah, a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) with the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), passed on on Sunday.

Twin Sisters, Medical Professionals, Die 2 Days Apart

They were the daughters of Prof. Hadiza Abdullahi Usman, a former chief medical director of federal Medical Centre (FMC), Nguru, and professor of gynaecological oncology and reproductive health.

A family member, Ibrahim Auwal, who confirmed the deaths, told LEADERSHIP that the deaths were devastating.

He said, “It is a very painful development. Hadiyah passed away on Friday, and Aidah followed on Sunday. Both sisters had been battling sickle cell disease, and their deaths are a great loss, particularly to their family, friends and colleagues.”

Another relative, Halima Abubakar Hammayo, also confirmed the deaths, describing the sisters as hardworking young professionals who pursued their careers despite living with the condition.

How The Twin Sisters Died

According to family accounts, Hadiyah had been receiving treatment at FMC Nguru for about a week after suffering a sickle cell crisis before she died.

Her remains were subsequently buried following funeral prayers at the Emir’s Palace in Nguru.

While the family was still mourning Hadiyah, her twin sister Aidah was reportedly receiving treatment at UMTH.

She was said to have initially responded to treatment and was later discharged. According to the family, Aidah subsequently accompanied her mother to Hadiyah’s graveside in Nguru to pray for her twin sister, where she collapsed and was taken for medical attention, but later died on Sunday.

Beyond the circumstances of their deaths, Hadiyah and Aidah shared a professional connection that reflected their commitment to healthcare.

Hadiyah pursued medicine, while Aidah became a pharmacist.

Both were young healthcare professionals whose careers were still developing in institutions dedicated to patient care.

Their mother, Prof. Hadiza Usman, is herself a prominent figure in the health sector. She previously served as medical director and chief executive officer of FMC Nguru and was the first woman to occupy the position at the institution.

The loss has therefore been particularly painful for a family deeply connected to the medical profession.

Some family members linked the deaths to complications associated with sickle cell disease. However, the specific medical circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been independently established beyond the accounts provided by relatives.

Governor Buni expressed condolences to the family, describing the deaths of Hadiyah and Aidah as particularly heartbreaking.

Hadiyah, also known as Hassana, died on Friday, while Aidah, also known as Usaina, died on Sunday.

Buni extended his condolences to their mother, relatives, friends, colleagues and the people of Nguru.

He also dispatched a high-powered delegation to Nguru to convey the state government’s condolences to the bereaved family.

The delegation comprised the commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Abba Idriss Adam; commissioner for Health, Hon. Muhammad Lawan Gana; Alhaji Abubakar Salihu Bakabe, a permanent member of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); the chairman of Nguru local government areal; the APC chairman in Nguru council and the focal person on Inter-Party Affairs.

The governor prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased, grant them Al-Jannatul Firdaus and give their mother and other members of the family the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.

FMC Nguru also acknowledged Aidah’s death, describing her as the second twin of Prof. Usman.

For Prof. Usman, the tragedy represents the loss of two daughters within a period of just two days.

The sisters, who entered the world together as a set of twins, grew up to pursue careers in healthcare before their lives were cut short.

Their deaths have left relatives, friends, colleagues and members of the medical community mourning two young professionals whose careers were still unfolding.

For the Usman family, the speed with which one tragedy followed another has made the loss even more difficult to comprehend.

Hadiyah and Aidah will be remembered not only as twin sisters but also as two young women who chose professions dedicated to caring for others.

As the family, friends and colleagues continue to mourn, prayers are being offered for the repose of their souls and for strength for their bereaved mother and other relatives.