The Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, in collaboration with the Chigari Foundation and other Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) partners, has honoured traditional leaders for their outstanding contributions to polio eradication efforts across communities in the state.
The award recognition ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the Bureau for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, celebrated frontline traditional rulers who have shown exceptional commitment to supporting immunization campaigns and raising awareness on the importance of polio vaccination.
Organisers said the event was designed to acknowledge the vital role traditional leaders play in mobilising their communities, encouraging parents to vaccinate their children and supporting health workers in reaching remote settlements.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukur, said the partnership with organisations such as the Chigari Foundation and other ACSM groups has strengthened community engagement and improved vaccination coverage in the state.
According to him, the collaboration has significantly contributed to progress towards the complete eradication of polio in Taraba.
Also speaking, the Programme Officer of the Chigari Foundation, Mallam Also Mohammed Sale, explained that three traditional rulers were selected for the awards from the state’s three sanitaria districts based on their active support for immunization activities.
He noted that the monarchs have consistently supported the foundation’s programmes and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working with traditional rulers across the state to ensure full immunization coverage in every community.
Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bondiya G. Buma, commended the foundation for its support and praised traditional leaders for their role in mobilising communities.
He said the rulers have remained at the forefront of encouraging parents to present their children for routine immunizations and other vaccination campaigns.
Buma also urged other partners and organisations to emulate the Chigari Foundation by collaborating with the agency to increase immunization uptake across the state.
He added that the state government, under Governor Agbu Kefas, remains committed to improving the health of residents.
“The government is fully committed to ensuring that our people live healthy lives. As an agency, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure our immunization coverage reaches the 90 per cent target set for us,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, the District Head of Kachalla-Sambe under the Muri Emirate, Alhaji Yakubu Adamu, expressed appreciation for the recognition.
He said the honour would motivate traditional leaders to intensify efforts toward the development of their communities, particularly in promoting immunization.
Organisers said the recognition is expected to further encourage community champions to sustain efforts toward achieving a polio-free Taraba State.