FG commends Zamfara over sustained commitments to polio eradication efforts

The National Economic Council (NEC) Committee on Polio Eradication had commended the Zamfara State government for its sustained dedication to polio eradication efforts.

The officials disclosed this during an advocacy visit to the state Ministry of Health. They were received on arrival by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Nafisa Maradun.

They reviewed current progress in polio eradication and examined the obstacles to achieving the targeted objectives.

Speaking during the engagement, the leader of the delegation and Director of Special Duties/Head of the NEC Secretariat, Dr Gloria K. Ahmed, commended the Zamfara State government for its efforts in eradicating the virus.

It also expressed appreciation to the Zamfara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and health partners for their sustained dedication.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to protect Zamfara’s children and completely stop the transmission of polio.

Those in attendance included the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Board, the Incident Manager of the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, the State Coordinators of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, Rotary International, SOLINA and other partners.

Dr Ahmed said the NEC Ad Hoc Committee on Polio Eradication was inaugurated on 12th December 2024 by Vice President Kashim Shettima following an increase in polio cases across high-risk states.

Chaired by Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the committee initially brought together governors from six high-risk states, including Zamfara, Gombe, Katsina, Kano, Sokoto and Kebbi, as well as health institutions and partners.

A press statement signed by the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Sulaiman Isah, indicated that in April 2026, the committee was expanded to include 13 states to strengthen the fight against polio.

Dr. Ahmed said the main goal of the committee was to provide strong political leadership, oversight and accountability to the polio campaign.

During the meeting in Gusau, stakeholders focused on reviewing recent vaccination campaigns to draw lessons. Also discussed were the real-world obstacles facing health workers at both state and local government levels.

They also identified problems technical teams could fix locally as well as those requiring higher-level political action from the governors’ committee.

The visit ended on a collaborative note, with the NEC Secretariat commending the Zamfara State Government, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and health partners for their sustained dedication. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working together to protect Zamfara’s children and completely stop the transmission of polio.

Those in attendance included the Executive Secretary of the Primary Healthcare Board, the Incident Manager of the Polio Emergency Operations Centre, the State Coordinators of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, Rotary International, SOLINA and other partners.

Doctors commend Governor Lawal over health reforms

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) commended Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for transforming the state healthcare sector through infrastructural revitalisation, improved healthcare service delivery, and institutional strengthening.

The NMA Chairman, Zamfara State chapter, Dr Muhammad Murtala Salahu, revealed this at the 2026 Annual Physicians’ Week and Ordinary General Meeting of the association.

He reaffirmed the NMA’s readiness to work closely with Governor Lawal’s administration in building a healthcare system that is resilient, accessible, equitable and responsive

“A stronger medical profession means a stronger healthcare system, and a stronger healthcare system means a healthier and more prosperous Zamfara,” he said.

“On behalf of the entire NMA members in Zamfara, let me express our profound appreciation to  Governor Dauda Lawal for his visionary leadership, remarkable commitment to healthcare transformation and sustained support for the medical profession.

“We acknowledge and commend the determination of the present administration in the state to reposition the healthcare sector through infrastructural revitalisation, improved healthcare service delivery, institutional strengthening and greater attention to the welfare and professional development of healthcare personnel,” he explained.

He said. “Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to giving healthcare a priority in his administration demonstrates a clear understanding that a healthy population remains the foundation of sustainable development, economic productivity and social stability.

“We particularly appreciate his administration’s responsiveness to the needs and concerns of medical professionals and its efforts towards creating a more conducive environment for effective medical practice.

“These initiatives are encouraging and represent important steps towards addressing longstanding challenges within our healthcare system.

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“The commitment of the state government to healthcare development is commendable, and we assure you of the continued professional support and constructive partnership of the Nigerian Medical Association in translating the state healthcare vision into sustainable benefits for the people of Zamfara.

Zamfara deploys modern fire trucks to local gov’ts

The Zamfara State Government provided additional firefighting vehicles to the State Fire Service to enhance its operations across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Zamfara State Fire Service, Engr. Bello Sani, announced this in his office while speaking to journalists

Engr. Sani explained that the new vehicles were equipped with necessary features to tackle fire outbreaks in various locations, including areas with difficult terrain.

He noted that the provision of the new firefighting vehicles was a significant development for the state, as additional vehicles were already needed.

He said the vehicles have been distributed to various locations to strengthen firefighting operations across the state.

He said the two fire trucks have been allocated to Gusau local government area, while additional vehicles have been deployed to Government House, Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda, Talata Mafara and Gummi local government areas.

The fire chief expressed optimism that the new vehicles would reduce the challenges faced by the service in responding to fire outbreaks and help prevent loss of lives and property, noting that the losses recorded in 2025 were high.

He hoped that provision of the vehicles would significantly reduce fire-related incidents and minimise destruction of property and loss of lives across the state

Demography: Zamfara develops roadmap for economic growth

Zamfara State Government commenced work on developing a roadmap for harnessing the demographic dividend to achieve sustainable economic growth.

To achieve this objective, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has organised a 5-day workshop on the Development of a Roadmap for Harnessing Demographic Dividend in Zamfara State.

In a communique issued at the end of the workshop, participants emphasised the need for both federal and state governments to intensify efforts to skilfully utilise the country’s abundant population to achieve rapid and sustainable economic growth.

They called for significant investment in health, education, security, employment and good governance to stimulate economic growth.

The participants also stressed the need for accountability and prudent management of resources to enable the country to achieve greatness.

The communique, signed by Mr Lawal Shehu, said the participants commended the Zamfara State Government for its resolve to develop a policy framework for turning its large youth population into an economic asset through investment in critical sectors.

It would be recalled that in July 2017, Nigeria launched the National Roadmap on Harnessing Demographic Dividend.

Currently, seven states and the FCT have developed their roadmaps on harnessing the demographic dividend.

Ministry hands over Gusau market to new contractor

The Zamfara State Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Tourism officially handed over the Gusau Ultra-Modern Market project site to Hamstore Integrated Services Limited for the construction of 958 shops.

The handover was conducted by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Malam Bashir Sirajo, on behalf of the commissioner, Tasi’u Musa Shinkafi.

The development followed the revocation of the previous contract awarded to DHEINAT Global Ventures Limited due to delays and unsatisfactory progress.

The former contractor achieved only 22.5 percent completion after 18 months of work.

The ministry expressed confidence that the new contractor would mobilise promptly and deliver the project to the required quality standards for the benefit of traders and residents of Zamfara State.

The project is expected to provide modern trading facilities, boost commercial activities and contribute to the state government’s efforts to promote economic growth and development.