Former Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has commended the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, for what he described as remarkable strides in transforming the state’s health sector.
Governor Lawal recently emerged as Best Governor in the North West for Health Sector Transformation, an honour earned on the back of significant improvements in Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery across the state.
The award, which comes with a $500,000 cash prize, was presented by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, in recognition of impactful reforms and measurable outcomes in healthcare delivery.
In a statement, Onaiwu said the recognition reflects Governor Lawal’s strong commitment to grassroots healthcare development, particularly the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres and the expansion of access to quality medical services for women, children and rural communities.
According to him, the administration’s deliberate focus on Primary Health Care has translated into visible improvements in service delivery and health outcomes, positioning Zamfara as a reference point for health sector reforms in the North West.
He congratulated the government and people of Zamfara State on the achievement, describing the award as a proud moment and clear evidence that purposeful leadership, backed by clear priorities, can deliver meaningful and sustainable change.
Onaiwu expressed confidence that Governor Lawal would consolidate the gains already recorded and continue to strengthen the health sector for the overall wellbeing of citizens across the state.