Niger State Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has felicitated with the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alh. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, on the occasion of his 20th year anniversary on the throne as well as his 71st birthday celebration.
In a message signed and made available to newsmen by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta, Comrade Yakubu Garba extolled the good leadership quality of the royal father and prayed that Allah grant him more years of service to the people of Bida emirate, the Nupe Kingdom, Niger State, and Nigeria at large.
He observed that the Royal Father, in his 20 years of service to humanity on the throne of his forefathers, had greatly contributed to the peace, unity, progress, and development of Niger State and its people, which, according to him, has made the Etsu Nupe one of the most respected monarchs in Niger State and beyond.
The Deputy Governor in the message described the leadership quality of the Etsu Nupe as uncommon, saying that was the secret of the success of the Royal Father in his 20 years on the throne.
"As you continue to use your exalted throne to build bridges of friendship and harmony across your Emirate, Niger State, Nupe Kingdom, and Nigeria, it is my prayer that Almighty Allah grants you more years of good health, prosperity, and enduring fulfilment," said the Deputy Governor in the message.
While congratulating the Royal Father for the privilege of seeing his 71st birthday and 20th anniversary on the throne, Yakubu Garba equally wished him a peaceful celebration of the double occasion, which falls at the same time.
At least 35 people, including six journalists and religious and community leaders, were among the task team members inaugurated recently to pilot the war against malaria with the theme: "Zero Malaria Starts With Me", in Niger State.
The committee members were officially inaugurated during a two-day intensive meeting held at the conference hall of the Haske Hotel, Minna.
The task team committee members were sworn in by the Head of Advocacy of the National Malaria Elimination Programmes (NMEP), Mr. Raphael Onyilo.
The head of advocacy therefore charged the task team to not only discuss achievements of the past but also take the assignment as a challenge and ensure that malaria diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies were adhered to by all persons, as well as focus on the use of mosquito nets.
While noting that malaria is a killer disease that has claimed the lives of many pregnant women and children below the age of nine, he warned that people should always go for a diagnosis because there are different feverish conditions.
He therefore urged the task team members, especially the media, to ensure that this year's fight against malaria elimination campaign programmes reach the nooks and crannies of the state.
The head of advocacy for the national malaria elimination programmes therefore appealed to the team members to reach out to the state government, well-to-do individuals, and political office holders.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Public Health at the Niger State Ministry of Primary Healthcare, Dr. Idris Ibrahim, advised the general public to always go for medical diagnosis or check-ups at dispensaries closer to them instead of taking any malaria drug without a prescription.
The director also appreciated the turnout of the invited personalities to organise the meeting despite the short notice.
Also in her vote of thanks, the State Coordinator for Malaria, Mrs. Amina Zimro Edward, appreciated the commitment of the invited guests and their profound respect for the ministry.
She then requested the task team to increase the visibility of the public domain understanding and implementation of community development and evaluation, pointing out that the exercise was targeted towards prevention and diagnosis that is focused on empowering communities in Africa.
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