The Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency has honoured some traditional rulers in the state for their pivotal role in the fight against polio.
The recognition ceremony, organised in collaboration with the Chigari Foundation and other Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM) partners, took place on Tuesday at the Conference Hall of the Bureau for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs in Jalingo, the state capital.
The event celebrated frontline traditional rulers who have distinguished themselves through unwavering support for immunisation campaigns and sustained advocacy for polio vaccination in their communities.
For health authorities, the ceremony was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a recognition of the grassroots leadership that had helped sustain immunisation efforts across the state.
Organisers explained that traditional leaders have remained central to the success of vaccination campaigns, particularly in remote communities where healthcare workers rely on local structures to gain trust and access households.
By mobilising parents, dispelling misconceptions about vaccines, and encouraging community participation during immunisation exercises, these leaders have helped ensure that children receive life-saving protection against polio.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Nuhu Tukur, said collaboration with partners such as the Chigari Foundation and other ACSM groups has significantly strengthened community engagement in the state.
According to him, the involvement of traditional rulers has played a key role in improving vaccination coverage and accelerating progress toward the complete eradication of polio.
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Also speaking, the Programme Officer of the Chigari Foundation, Mohammed Sale, explained that the award recipients were selected from the three sanitaria districts of the state based on their exceptional commitment to supporting immunisation activities.
He noted that the honoured monarchs have consistently supported the foundation’s programmes by mobilising their communities and ensuring that vaccination campaigns reach even the most remote settlements.
Sale reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to deepening collaboration with traditional rulers across Taraba State to guarantee that no child is left behind in the state’s immunisation efforts.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bondiya Buma, also commended the Chigari Foundation for its partnership and praised traditional leaders for their continued efforts in mobilising communities.
According to him, the rulers have remained at the forefront of encouraging parents to present their children for routine immunisation and other vaccination programmes.
Buma further called on other organisations and development partners to emulate the Chigari Foundation by strengthening partnerships with the agency to expand immunisation coverage across the state.
He stressed that the Taraba State Government, under the leadership of Governor Agbu Kefas, remains committed to improving healthcare and protecting the well-being of citizens.
“The government is fully committed to ensuring that our people live healthy lives,” he said.
“As an agency, we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our immunisation coverage reaches the 90 percent target set for us.”
Responding on behalf of the award recipients, the District Head of Kachalla-Sambe under the Muri Emirate, Yakubu Adamu, expressed gratitude for the recognition, describing it as a motivation for traditional leaders to do even more for their communities.
He pledged that the traditional rulers would continue to support health programmes, particularly initiatives aimed at ensuring that every child receives essential vaccinations.
