Twenty motorcycles have been officially handed over to the Katsina State Government, through the State Primary Health Care Agency, under the World Health Organization (WHO) Memorandum of Understanding for the GAVI ZDROP programme.
The ceremony took place at the premises of the State Primary Health Care Agency in Magangarin Makudawa, Kofar Guga.
In his keynote address, Dr. Umeh, WHO Immunization Coordinator for Nigeria, explained that the motorcycles will be deployed across eight local government areas—Baure, Batagarawa, Funtua, Kankia, Katsina, Rimi, Mani, and Safana—to improve vaccine delivery to children in hard-to-reach communities.
“These eight LGAs have among the highest rates of non-compliance and missed immunisation opportunities in the state,” Dr. Umeh said. “We urge the agencies and staff who receive these motorcycles to use them judiciously to ensure that no child is left behind.”
Receiving the motorcycles, Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya, Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, expressed his gratitude to WHO and GAVI. He pledged to identify the most dedicated health workers who will benefit directly from the new vehicles.
“Just recently, His Excellency Governor Dikko Umar Radda distributed 361 motorcycles—one for each ward across all 34 local government areas,” Dr. Yahaya noted. “These additional 20 motorcycles will further bolster our capacity to reach every community.”
In a vote of thanks, Maikudi Umar Abubakar, State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, highlighted the importance of continued partnership with international donors.
“We are deeply appreciative of WHO and the GAVI programme for this vital support,” he said. “By strengthening our outreach capabilities, we move closer to eliminating non-compliance and ensuring full immunisation coverage in Katsina State.”
The ceremony concluded with the formal handover of the 20 motorcycles and 20 yards of shadda fabric to Dr. Shamsuddeen Yahaya by Dr. Abdulnasir Adamu, WHO State Coordinator, in the presence of other development partners.
