Stakeholders and development partners in the country's health sector celebrated the outstanding progress made under Shuaib's leadership in routine immunization, COVID-19 response, vaccine uptake, and other primary health care services at the dinner hosted by the Forum of CEOs of State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Representative for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Nigeria, recalled that Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus under Dr. Shuaib's leadership. He also added that Nigeria became a reference point for effective COVID-19 response and routine immunization due to his expertise during the pandemic.
Mulombo said that Shuaib had put forth a lot of effort to see that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine was introduced to Nigeria and included into routine immunization, and he added that the world will gain from his knowledge.
Dr. Mohammed Adis, the Forum Chairman, also spoke during the event and noted that Shuaib's innovative approach to healthcare delivery resulted in the implementation of ground-breaking initiatives that have improved the lives of millions of Nigerians, from the introduction of creative immunization programs to the revitalization of primary health care centers.
Under Shuaib's direction, the NPHCDA saw tremendous growth and change, he noted, and his commitment to enhancing the health of our people has been absolutely admirable.
"Your leadership style has been characterized by transparency, inclusivity, and a sincere desire to collaborate," he stated. You have continuously promoted solid collaborations with a range of stakeholders, such as the SPHCDA forum of EA/CEOs, to guarantee a well-coordinated and efficient method of providing primary healthcare.
"Your ability to actively listen, interact, and take into account the viewpoints of various stakeholders has been crucial in advancing the cause and producing observable outcomes."
Shuaib responded by saying that the occasion was not a farewell but rather a fresh start, emphasizing that the Executive Secretaries form the cornerstone of basic healthcare and have demonstrated the efficaciousness of teamwork.
"I am proud of the milestones we have accomplished together and the resilient spirit we have shown in the face of difficulties," the speaker declared. I will always carry the connections made, the knowledge gained, and the accomplishments commemorated in my heart.
It is impossible to overstate how much they are contributing to the ongoing battle against diphtheria and how well they are performing at delivering routine vaccinations. Finding leadership in others requires leadership itself.
Shuaib claims that the advancements in the implementation of the Primary Health Care Under One Roof Policy, along with the actions taken to enhance routine immunization campaigns, the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine, and other PHC services, are evidence of the community's collective commitment and dedication to health and well-being.
He continued, "I urge you to sustain this momentum, to keep putting our people's needs first and attending to them, and to uphold the values and ethos we have worked so hard to instate."