By Sanee Yarima
The three-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Taraba State Government, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) on strengthening the healthcare system has elapsed with huge successes recorded.
Following the expiration of the GAVI-PHC MoU signed in 2022, UNICEF, on Wednesday, 12th February 2025, handed over the project to the state government for a way forward.
The ceremony took place in Jalingo, the capital city with all the partners and other relevant stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique urged the Taraba State government to ensure the sustainability of the achievement recorded by UNICEF/GAVI intervention in the state.
She also appealed to the state government to equip the vaccine storage room at the zonal level and integrate the 450 healthcare workers empowered by GAVI into the civil service to strengthen the effective healthcare system across the 16 LGAs.
Responding, Governor Agbu Kefas, who was represented by the state Head of Civil Service, Dr Hamidu Kara, appreciated UNICEF and GAVI for the intervention and emphasized his administration’s commitment to sustain the successes recorded within the MoU, as well as looking forward to more partnerships.
The Governor announced that the state government had concluded arrangements to upgrade over a hundred Primary Healthcare Centres to grade II.
On her part, the representative of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, Halima Muhammed praised the Taraba State government for its commitment and success stories, while she appreciated GAVI and urged them to continue investing in the nation’s states, assuring that the forum will not relent in its efforts of coordinating and ensuring the utilisation of such funds.
In his remarks, the Taraba State ALGON chairman, who is also the Chairman of the Jalingo Local Government Council, Dr Aminu Jauro Hassan, represented by the chairman of the Wukari LGC, Isma’ila Dauda praised Governor Kefas for prioritising health, education, and agriculture among other sectors.
According to him, the signing of the MoU was a testament to his unwavering commitment to the healthcare service delivery to the people and assured UNICEF and GAVI of their continued support to sustain the achievements recorded.
