…As top medical award of excellence arrives
By: Yakubu Ahmed BK
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has been conferred with the distinguished Award of Excellence in Healthcare Delivery and Human Capacity Development by the Postgraduate Medical College Fellows Association in collaboration with the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. This accolade positions him as only the second individual from northern Nigeria to receive such an honor, underscoring his exceptional leadership in advancing healthcare within Kebbi state. The College, established in September 1979, specializes in postgraduate training for specialist doctors across various medical fields, including surgery, gynecology, cardiology, pediatrics, and pathology.
The award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the upcoming 19th Annual Scientific Conference and All Fellows Congress (ASCAF), set to be hosted in Sokoto from August 3rd to 8th, 2025. This marks the first time the prestigious conference will be convened in Sokoto, bringing together participants from Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The recognition was formally announced through a statement signed by Professors Simeon Isezuo and Jacob Ndas Legbo, who serve as Chairman and Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee respectively.
In their statement, the professors highlighted that the award was in recognition of Governor Idris’s significant strides in healthcare reform and capacity building. They commended his efforts in recruiting over 500 health workers, which included doctors, nurses, and other essential personnel, to boost the health system’s workforce. Furthermore, the administration’s success in absorbing 390 casual health workers into the formal health sector has greatly stabilized service delivery in Kebbi.
The governors’ focus on upgrading healthcare infrastructure has also been notable. Under his leadership, six general hospitals across the state have been modernized with new facilities and equipment, alongside renovation projects targeting selected primary healthcare centers. These improvements aim to enhance overall health service quality and accessibility for the people of the state and beyond, especially those in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
A key aspect of these efforts involved enhancing referral systems, which was facilitated by the provision of modern ambulances. These ambulances have been strategically distributed to various health facilities, significantly reducing referral and transportation time for critically ill patients and those in need of advanced medical care. The upgraded facilities and improved transportation infrastructure are creating a more efficient healthcare delivery network within Kebbi state.
Another innovative initiative was the dissemination of free delivery kits to pregnant women across the state, aiming to reduce maternal mortality rates and encourage more women to seek facility-based births. Additionally, the empowerment of the Kebbi State Contributory Health Agency has been instrumental in alleviating the financial burden on citizens, ensuring more equitable access to quality healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations. Worthy of note again, is the domestication of free psychiatric medication to over 20,000 patients across the state and even from neighboring states.
These comprehensive healthcare initiatives have led to measurable improvements in health indicators in Kebbi. Notably, there have been significant reductions in maternal and under-five mortality rates, which are critical benchmarks for public health. This progress demonstrates that strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and community outreach can yield tangible outcomes in a relatively short period.
The conferment of this prestigious award not only recognizes Governor Idris’s outstanding achievements but also elevates Kebbi’s profile on the national stage. His efforts have garnered recognition from a highly respected medical institution, reflecting the impact of his leadership beyond political boundaries. It also signals a positive shift toward more regionally coordinated healthcare development in northern Nigeria.
Hosting ASCAF in Sokoto on behalf of Kebbi and Zamfara states is expected to foster regional collaboration, showcase successful health initiatives, and promote indigenous training of specialist doctors. These efforts are crucial in addressing the longstanding shortage of medical experts in the area, which has hampered the provision of comprehensive healthcare services. Moving forward, these developments are anticipated to address systemic challenges and improve health outcomes across the region.
This recognition of Kebbi’s healthcare progress, achieved within just two years of Governor Idris’s administration, underscores the potential for rapid and impactful reform in Nigeria’s health sector. It represents a promising beginning for future advancements, inspiring other states to pursue similar initiatives to improve the health and well-being of their populations. As the regional and national conversations on healthcare strengthen, Kebbi’s example offers valuable lessons in leadership, innovation, and community-focused development.
*Yakubu Ahmed BK is the Commissioner of Information & Culture, Kebbi state.
May 14, 2025