The Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Katsina State chapter, Rabo Tambaya, has announced the introduction of an annual award of excellence.

The initiative is aimed at recognising and motivating stakeholders who are addressing critical health challenges across the state.

Mr Tambaya made the announcement on Saturday in Kaduna while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of a two-day training workshop.

The event was organised by the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency in collaboration with development partners, including UNICEF, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Gates Foundation, and Gavi.

The workshop brought together Katsina State Local Government Areas (LGAs) chairmen, district heads, LGA health secretaries, and others to strategise on improving immunisation, polio accountability, and strengthening the primary healthcare system.

Mr Tambaya highlighted the urgent need to address key public health issues such as zero-dose children, malnutrition, open defecation, and gaps in antenatal care. 

He stated, “We are instituting an award of excellence to motivate all stakeholders. The first category will honour traditional institutions, with the Emirs of Katsina and Daura Awards of Excellence recognising the best-performing district and village heads. Additional award categories include the Governor’s Award and the LGA Chairmen’s Award, which will honour outstanding local government chairmen and health secretaries. Clergy and other development partners will also be recognised for their roles.’’

Mr Tambaya also announced a personal donation of N1 million to support the overall best-performing local government council across key health focus areas.

He assured that the selection process would be transparent and credible, aimed at encouraging greater effort towards achieving sustainable development goals in Katsina State.

Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Shamsudeen Yahaya, shared resolutions from the workshop, including the reactivation of Local Government Task Forces on Immunisation.

He also highlighted the importance of regular routine meetings and a renewed commitment to counterpart funding during health campaigns.

He emphasised the key role of traditional leaders in resolving community-level resistance and tracking healthcare gaps.

Also speaking, Chief of the Polio Team at UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Asnakew Tsega, said that the organisation supported the workshop because active involvement of LGA chairmen, traditional rulers, and state officials was essential in eradicating polio in Katsina.

He stated, “Katsina is one of our priority states, and support from local leaders is critical. Most of the LGA chairmen are new, so this orientation is vital.’’

Mr Tsega stressed that under the Abuja Declaration LGA chairmen were expected to support and lead public health programmes in their respective areas.

He thanked participants for their commitment and urged them to ensure Katsina became polio-free in the coming months.

(NAN)