BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | 08:31 PM
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed all 27 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in the state to intensify public awareness campaigns on routine immunization, in-between rounds, and the integrated measles campaign.
The governor also urged traditional rulers to continue educating their communities on the importance of vaccines, particularly against polio and other preventable diseases.
He issued the directive on Thursday during a strategic meeting on primary healthcare activities held at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The meeting brought together traditional leaders led by the Shehu of Borno, the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and development partners.
'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.
'Let me also emphasize that attending evening review meetings is compulsory for all LGA chairmen,' Gov. Zulum said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of routine immunization and primary healthcare services across Borno.
He acknowledged that the tripartite agreement between the Aliko Dangote Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the state government ended in December 2024.
However, he assured that the state government would sustain all immunization-related activities going forward.
'All our counterpart funding has been paid, and we are up to date.
'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,' the governor assured.
The governor also promised adequate security to enable vaccination teams to reach remote and high-risk communities.
'Borno State Government will provide adequate security so that people in difficult-to-reach areas can have access to immunization,' he said.
Gov. Zulum highlighted the state’s progress in healthcare development, including sponsoring 1,400 indigent students to study nursing and midwifery.
He announced that 500 of them are expected to graduate by the end of the year, further strengthening the healthcare workforce.
In his remarks, Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, Prof. Mohammed Arab Alhaji, briefed the governor and traditional leaders on ongoing immunization efforts 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 improve primary healthcare services.
According to him, the program focuses on promoting accountability, improving health outcomes, and driving measurable progress across the sector.
Prof. Alhaji called for increased security support, especially in hard-to-reach areas, and stronger community engagement by traditional leaders to address resistance to polio and other vaccines.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen evening review meetings and prevent 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.