Jigawa
Jigawa Expands Free Healthcare Services to 235,287 Vulnerable Residents

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
In a major boost to healthcare delivery, the Jigawa State Government has expanded its free healthcare program to cover 235,287 vulnerable residents across the state’s 287 political wards.
This initiative aligns with Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, prioritizing accessible and affordable healthcare services.
Speaking at the distribution of drugs and medical equipment worth over N215 million to primary healthcare centers, Malam Isah Surajo, Technical Assistant to the Governor on Healthcare Services, highlighted the administration’s dedication to improving health infrastructure and services.
The program initially covered 143,287 beneficiaries—500 individuals per ward. However, Governor Namadi has approved an additional 320 beneficiaries per ward, ensuring more vulnerable people receive free medical treatment.
As part of the plan, the government has recruited over 1,000 health workers, assigning at least 30 to each local government area. It has also embarked on constructing and equipping staff quarters at primary healthcare centers to create a conducive work environment for medical personnel.
Complementing the state’s efforts, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has contributed N135 million quarterly, enabling the procurement of essential medicines and non-consumable medical supplies.
Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Maikudi, noted that this intervention supports residents who are not covered by the state’s Social Insurance Scheme.
The donated items include drugs for children and pregnant women, malaria treatments, delivery kits, mattresses, and hospital beds. These resources aim to enhance service delivery and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
Governor Namadi’s healthcare reforms and ALGON’s partnership underscore a shared commitment to reducing preventable deaths and ensuring that no resident is denied medical care due to financial constraints.
Jigawa
Gwaram Council Chairman Distributes 828 JAMB Pins to Underprivileged Students in Jigawa

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
828 underprivileged students in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, have received free Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration pins from the council chairman, Professor Salim Abdurraman, ahead of the 2025 UTME examination.
In a statement issued by Special Assistant to the Chairman on Media, Abubakar Bello Baba, he noted that the initiative is part of efforts to support students who cannot afford the registration fee, ensuring they have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education.
“This gesture aligns with the chairman’s commitment to complement Governor Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda, particularly in promoting education and youth empowerment,” the statement read.
According to Baba, the JAMB pins have already been sent to the beneficiaries via mobile messages to allow early registration.
He urged recipients to keep their messages safe and follow the necessary procedures for a seamless registration process.
Beneficiaries who have not received their pins are advised to contact the Guidance and Counseling Unit of the local council for assistance.
“The Chairman’s office remains committed to ensuring all eligible students receive their JAMB pins and successfully complete their registration,” he added.
Jigawa
Gov. Namadi Launches N30Bn Grassroots Empowerment Programme in Jigawa

By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
In a significant move to boost small-scale enterprises and alleviate poverty, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has launched a N30 billion economic empowerment programme targeting over 60,000 small business owners across the 30 state assembly constituencies.
The initiative, officially flagged off in Miga town, headquarters of Miga Local Government Area, will be implemented through state lawmakers, each overseeing the disbursement of funds to over 2,000 beneficiaries in their constituencies.
A breakdown of the financial support indicated that the programme provides financial aid to small business owners in varying amounts as 1,000 beneficiaries received N100,000 each, 150 beneficiaries received N50,000 each and another 150 beneficiaries received N30,000 each
Other categories included 250 beneficiaries that received N20,000 each and 1,368 beneficiaries who received N10,000 each
Speaking at the event, Governor Namadi emphasized the importance of lawmakers staying connected to their constituents’ realities, ensuring that the initiative directly impacts grassroots businesses and livelihoods.
“This initiative is a testament to the strong connection between lawmakers and their people. It shows they understand the struggles of small business owners and are committed to finding practical solutions,” he stated.
The governor further assured that the programme will be replicated in all 30 constituencies, ensuring equitable distribution of resources ahead of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Haruna Aliyu Dangyatin, who spearheaded the initiative, described small-scale businesses as the backbone of rural economies. He highlighted that, unlike infrastructure projects, this direct financial intervention addresses the immediate economic challenges of the people.
“Under my leadership, we appealed to the governor to allow us to initiate this empowerment programme because we are the closest to our people. His approval reflects the mutual respect and strong collaboration between the legislature and the executive in Jigawa State,” Dangyatin said.
The speaker pledged continued support for Governor Namadi’s administration, affirming that lawmakers would work hand-in-hand with the state government to drive economic growth and improve citizens’ welfare.
With the N30 billion empowerment programme, Jigawa State is setting a precedent in inclusive economic policies, ensuring that small businesses receive the support needed to thrive. The initiative is expected to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and reduce financial hardship, particularly among rural entrepreneurs.
Jigawa
SCI: 2.1 Million Nigerian Children Have Never Received Routine Vaccination

Save the Children International (SCI) has raised alarm over the alarming number of zero-dose children—those who have never received a single routine vaccine—in Nigeria, estimating the figure at 2.1 million.
The revelation was made in a press statement signed by Delfhin Mugo, Media Manager at SCI, highlighting a new initiative aimed at breaking barriers to child immunization.
The initiative, backed by Save the Children Immunisation Accelerator and funded by GSK, has awarded grants to two innovative projects in Nigeria and Ethiopia to tackle vaccine hesitancy and reach underserved communities.
Two organizations, Centre for Integrated Health Programs (CIHP) in Nigeria and HABTech Solutions PLC in Ethiopia, were selected from 120 submissions to receive technical and financial support, including grants of nearly $100,000 each, to further their efforts in improving immunization coverage.
According to Dr. Bolanle Oyeledun, CEO of CIHP, their approach leverages community-driven behavioral change strategies to overcome vaccine hesitancy, particularly in urban slums of Lagos State.
“Our innovation will focus on real-life experiences of caregivers who successfully vaccinated their children, using their stories to inspire others. This funding will help identify gaps and missed opportunities in immunization uptake, moving us closer to our goal of higher vaccination coverage,” Dr. Oyeledun explained.
On the other hand, Adane Letta Mamuye, General Manager at HABTech, emphasized the role of data analytics in tracking zero-dose children, particularly in remote communities. Their technology-driven approach aims to map out immunization gaps, address vaccine shortages, and provide real-time solutions to improve immunization efforts.
Speaking on the initiative, Ermias Teshome, Save the Children Immunisation Accelerator Lead, underscored the importance of locally driven solutions in tackling child immunization challenges.
“Every child deserves access to life-saving vaccinations. The urgent challenges in child immunization require innovative approaches, and the projects by CIHP and HABTech Solutions have demonstrated remarkable potential to deliver impactful change,” he stated.
The innovations will be piloted alongside Save the Children’s vaccination programs in collaboration with GSK in Nigeria and Ethiopia. The ultimate goal is to create a world free from vaccine-preventable diseases, ensuring that every child has access to essential healthcare.
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