Yobe Task Force on Routine Immunisation honours Deputy Governor

Yobe State Task Force on Routine Immunization and Primary Health Care has honoured its outgoing chairman, the Deputy Governor of Yobe, Engr Abubakar Ali.

At the valedictory session meeting convened by the 33-member committee yesterday in Damaturu, the Executive Secretary, Yobe Primary Health Care Management Board, Dr Muhammad Lawan Gana, said the Deputy Governor chaired them for three years.

He noted that the dexterity, prudence, hard work and high level of supervision of the outgoing chairman has made the task force a role model for other states of the federation.

“Your excellency, under your able leadership, Yobe has done exceptionally well in routine immunization and primary health care delivery in the state. Yobe had received various commendations and awards, that earned for the state a bonus of $29 million (N10.5bn),” he said.

He described the outgoing chairman as committed leader that, despite being an engineer had won at every stage of the project up to the last push.

“It’s worthy to note that, out of 36 meetings that were expected of us to have conducted, 27 were conducted, which is about 75 per cent, despite his commitments and tight schedules as deputy governor.

“He also participated at every stage of routine immunisation activities and have visited hard to reach areas to encourage other members,” he said.

Also, Dr Usman Matazu, a consultant and representative of Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, said the chairman has left an indelible mark that would speak volumes about him in future.

“In fact, it’s enough CV for him to carry everywhere in this world and, hereafter. Within the period of your stewardship, you don’t know how many lives you saved. You saved the life of indigent kids, old and even a saint you don’t know, and all their prayers are with you everywhere you go,” he said.

On his part, the representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Mr Adamu Baffale, said the improvement in the health indices of Yobe state was due to the Deputy Governor’s passion and zeal for holistic boost of health care delivery in the state.

Earlier, the outgoing chairman thanked all the 33 members of the Task Force and asked for their forgiveness.

Kanem Trust recalled that Yobe state recently emerged first among the 36 states of the federation for its progress in routine immunization and health care delivery.

The state won the ‘Save One Million Life’ award that came with $29 million cash prize.