The Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Polio Recurrence Mitigation in several states across the country.
This was announced during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, where key national issues were deliberated.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, Ph.D., who represented Governor Inuwa Yahaya, stated that the governor’s appointment was driven by his leadership as the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and his remarkable achievements in the health sector, particularly in vaccination efforts.
Dr. Jatau explained, “During the NEC meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, we addressed critical issues affecting the states and the nation, including the resurgence of polio in five states—Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, and Kebbi. With Bill Gates and Aliko Dangote in attendance, the gravity of the situation was recognized, and it was decided to establish a polio committee, with the Governor of Gombe State appointed as chairman.”
He added that the meeting also tackled the destruction of roads and bridges caused by recent flooding.
The Vice President directed states to submit detailed reports of the damages, including photographs, by Monday next week.
Dr. Jatau used the opportunity to share insights from Gombe’s inclusive governance approach, where traditional, religious, and community leaders, alongside stakeholders, play active roles in decision-making and implementation to ensure more efficient and effective outcomes.
“When the discussion on vaccines arose, I highlighted our commitment in Gombe, where we apply a system theory approach by involving traditional rulers, religious and community leaders in healthcare efforts to achieve comprehensive coverage. Engaging these leaders builds public trust, leading to stronger support for health programs,” he noted.
He also addressed the challenges posed by “socially hard-to-reach groups,” where cultural, philosophical, and ideological barriers limit access to vaccination.
The Deputy Governor emphasized the importance of addressing these barriers to ensure optimal vaccine coverage and called for research into local herbal remedies as a pathway to affordable healthcare.
“I urged donor agencies to sponsor research into the production of vaccines and medicines from indigenous plants. Since many imported medicines are derived from plant and animal products, and we have similar resources in abundance, tapping into our local potential would be a better solution.”
On nutrition, the meeting emphasized identifying local food sources that can provide balanced diets to reduce malnutrition. Dr. Jatau stressed that proper nutrition is vital to public health, which in turn supports the growth of other sectors of the economy.
Wilson Jonah Yakubu (JP)
Press Secretary/Information Officer
Deputy Governor’s Office, Gombe State
