The chairman of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Sanusi Baban Takko, has commended the federal government for establishing eye care units across all 774 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists yesterday in Bauchi, Alhaji Sanusi described the initiative, led by the coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, as visionary and impactful, noting that it reflects the minister’s pragmatic and people-centred leadership in advancing healthcare delivery across the nation.
“We, the people of Bauchi South and the entire Bauchi State, are proud of this landmark initiative. It clearly demonstrates your visionary leadership under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, the Jagaban of Africa,” he stated.
He added that Pate’s commitment to bringing quality healthcare closer to the people is truly commendable.
The traditional title holder also lauded President Bola Tinubu for conferring the National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Mr. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in recognition of his decades-long contributions to global health, education, poverty alleviation, and strategic partnerships with Nigeria.
He noted that Prof. Ali Pate has long collaborated with Bill Gates on several global health initiatives, further demonstrating his dedication to improving healthcare systems both locally and internationally.
“For the record, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate has introduced numerous far-reaching reforms since assuming office, including policy restructuring, healthcare infrastructure expansion, and improved access to essential health services,” he added.
“These reforms have strengthened Nigeria’s health and social welfare systems under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring a sustainable and efficient healthcare delivery structure nationwide,” he noted.
Alhaji Sanusi further urged all Bauchi indigenes and well-meaning Nigerians to support Professor Pate’s ongoing efforts to transform the health sector, describing his over two years of stewardship as a period of remarkable transformation and lasting impact.
