The Vice Chairman of the Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee (NNPPC), Rotarian Ndanusa Yunusa Yakubu has reaffirmed the critical role of traditional leaders in ensuring the continued success of polio eradication and Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery in Nigeria.
During the recent “First Quarter 2025 Review Meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee on PHC”, Yakubu, who is also Sarkin Nupawan Katsina, he acknowledged the resilience and commitment of Northern traditional rulers in advancing healthcare delivery across their domains.
Represented by Past District Governor of Rotary International District 9120, Eng. Joshua Hassan, the Sarkin Nupawan Katsina said that the sincere feedback and steadfast support of the traditional rulers have been instrumental in shaping and implementing effective policies aimed at improving PHC services nationwide.
Yakubu highlighted the crucial role traditional leaders have played in vaccine acceptance and public health awareness, which led to the eradication of the wild polio virus in Nigeria.
He acknowledged that, due to their relentless efforts, immunization coverage has expanded, maternal and child healthcare services have improved, and mortality rates have declined through the promotion of safe childbirth practices.
‘The gains we have recorded over time must motivate us to never be discouraged’, he stated, emphasising that the fight against polio and other preventable diseases must not wane.
While appreciating governments at all levels for their continued support of PHC goals, including the polio eradication exercise, Yakubu called for more political commitment, stressing that efforts must intensify to reach the last unvaccinated child in Nigeria and the world.
Addressing development partners, he expressed gratitude for their sustained efforts in healthcare delivery and disease eradication, while encouraging a more unified and strategic approach.
Yakubu reaffirmed Rotary International’s relentless commitment to polio eradication.
He reassured participants that Rotary’s fight against polio would not end until the last child is reached and protected.
‘On our part, Rotarians the world over will continue as if we’ve not even started, until we reach every last child. That is our promise to the world’, he declared.
The First Quarter 2025 Review Meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, and strengthen strategies for enhancing primary healthcare delivery across the Northern region.
With the renewed commitment expressed at the event, stakeholders remain optimistic about consolidating the gains in polio eradication, immunization, and overall public health improvement in Nigeria.
