The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has pledged to provide adequate security to ensure that people in hard-to-reach areas have access to life-saving immunization services.
The governor made the commitment on Thursday during a strategic meeting on primary healthcare activities held at the Government House in Maiduguri.
Zulum said his administration is determined to overcome security challenges that have hindered vaccination campaigns in remote communities.
He emphasized that immunization teams must reach every corner of the state, no matter how difficult the terrain or security situation.
To strengthen the ongoing immunization drive, the governor directed chairmen of all 27 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to intensify awareness campaigns on routine immunization, in-between rounds, and the integrated measles campaign.
He also appealed to traditional leaders to continue sensitizing their subjects on the importance of vaccines, particularly those targeting polio and other preventable diseases.
“I hereby direct all the local government chairmen to step up campaigns on routine immunization, in-between rounds, and other health initiatives across the state,” Zulum said.
“Let me also emphasize that attending evening review meetings is compulsory for all LGA chairmen,” he added.
Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to collaborating with key partners to ensure the effective delivery of immunization and other primary healthcare services.
He noted that although the tripartite agreement between the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the state government ended in December 2024, the state remains committed to sustaining the program.
“All our counterpart funding has been paid, and we are up to date,” the governor said.
“I want to assure you that we will provide all the necessary support and political will to ensure effective and efficient healthcare delivery for our people,” he added.
Highlighting ongoing healthcare investments, Zulum disclosed that 1,400 indigent students were sponsored to study nursing and midwifery, with 500 expected to graduate by the end of the year.
Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji, provided updates on the immunization campaign and the Primary Healthcare Leadership Challenge Fund.
He said the initiative aims to accelerate the 2019 Seattle Declaration — a political commitment by Nigerian governors to strengthen primary healthcare services — by enhancing accountability and improving health outcomes.
Prof. Alhaji called for enhanced security in remote areas and urged traditional leaders to address resistance to polio and other vaccines.
He also stressed the importance of strengthening evening review meetings and preventing the misuse of Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
“I want to appreciate His Excellency for the prompt payment of counterpart funds, provision of drugs and consumables at PHCs, absorption of 859 health workers, and infrastructure improvements,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, who chairs the State Task Force on Immunization and Primary Healthcare, as well as top traditional leaders including the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.
Others present included the Shehus of Dikwa and Bama, Emirs of Biu, Askira Uba, Gwoza, Shani, and Uba, along with the Secretary to the State Government, acting Chief of Staff, commissioners, and development partners.
