Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed chairmen of all 27 Local Government Areas to intensify awareness and implementation of Routine Immunisation, In-Between Rounds, and the Integrated Measles Campaign across the state.
The governor issued the directive on Thursday during a strategic meeting with traditional rulers, ALGON leadership, and development partners at the Government House, Maiduguri. He stressed that all LGA chairmen must also attend compulsory evening review meetings to ensure accountability and progress tracking.
Zulum urged traditional rulers to continue mobilising their communities, particularly on polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases, while assuring stakeholders of his administration’s commitment to sustaining immunisation efforts despite the expiration of the tripartite agreement with the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in December 2024.
“All counterpart funds have been fully paid. The state will continue to provide the necessary political will, funding, and security to guarantee effective healthcare delivery, especially in hard-to-reach areas,” Zulum affirmed.
Highlighting broader investments in healthcare, the governor announced that 1,400 indigent students had been 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, briefed participants on ongoing immunisation programmes and the PHC Leadership Challenge Fund. He emphasised the need for stronger security in remote areas, support from traditional leaders in addressing vaccine non-compliance, and stricter oversight to prevent misuse of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF).
Arab commended the state government for prompt payment of counterpart funding, provision of drugs and consumables, absorption of 859 health workers, and sustained investment in health infrastructure.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Umar Usman Kadafur, who chairs the State Taskforce on Immunisation, alongside the Shehu of Borno, other traditional rulers, key commissioners, and development partners.