By Chioma Umeha
An NGO, Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR), has
appealed to rich Nigerians to emulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote by committing their
resources toward the development of child health and primary healthcare in the
country.
The organisation made the appeal in a statement issued by
its Knowledge Management Officer, Mr. Muhammad Auwal on Tuesday in Abuja.
The organisation commended Mr Bill Gates and Dangote for
supporting six Northern states on sustainable funding for Routine Immunization
(RI) and child health.
Auwal recalled that on March 21, Gates, Dangote and the
governors of Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Sokoto and Bauchi states renewed
agreement on strengthening funding for routine immunization.
The renewed commitment, he said was aimed at ending
vaccine-preventable child deaths in Nigeria.
Auwal quoted CHR’s Director, Salisu Muhammad as saying that
Gates and Dangote had actively supported efforts targeted at achieving
sustainable funding for routine immunisation and eradication of polio virus in
Nigeria, since 2013.
“We particularly wish to commend the personal commitment
they have shown to improving child healthcare in Nigeria.
“We believe the commitment the duo has demonstrated improved
immunisation services in the country is but second to none.
“We are also calling on other rich Nigerians, particularly
those from the Northern region to emulate Dangote by committing their resources
to the development of child and primary healthcare in the region,’’ he said.
According to him, the Northern region has the poorest child
health indices in the country.
Auwal said CHR believed that the likes of Alhaji Aminu Dantata,
Alhaji Abdulmunaf Sarina (owner of Azman Air); Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu and
others could contribute to end maternal mortality in the region.
“We are of the opinion that by also committing their
resources to this initiative, they will not only be saving lives but also
discharging their corporate social responsibility to Nigerians,’’ he said.
