SOKOTO STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION TO ACTIVATE MAMII IN HIGH-BURDEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

SOKOTO STRENGTHENS COLLABORATION TO ACTIVATE MAMII IN HIGH-BURDEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

The Sokoto State Ministry for Health, in collaboration with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, held a strategic stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Conference Hall to discuss the activation of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) in Goronyo, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas.

The meeting, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, and the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi Adare, focused exclusively on operationalising the MAMII programme in the three high-burden local government areas with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar explained that the MAMII programme is a Federal Government initiative introduced by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to address the alarming rate of maternal and newborn deaths in high-risk communities across Nigeria. He stated that the initiative targets 175 priority Local Government Areas nationwide, which account for approximately 55 percent of maternal deaths in the country.

The Commissioner further disclosed that only four Local Government Areas in Sokoto State were selected under the initiative, namely Dange Shuni, Goronyo, Isa and Sabon Birni. He noted that the programme had already been launched in Dange Shuni Local Government Area, where it has begun recording encouraging improvements in antenatal care attendance and health facility deliveries.

According to him, the activation of the remaining three Local Government Areas was delayed due to security challenges. He explained that the strategic meeting was convened to develop practical measures for commencing full implementation of the initiative in Goronyo, Isa and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas.

Dr. Faruk called on the Chairmen of the benefiting Local Government Areas to provide the necessary leadership and support by mobilising their communities as well as engaging traditional and religious leaders to promote the programme. He stressed that sustained community participation is essential to achieving significant reductions in maternal and infant mortality across the State.

In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Dadi Adare, commended the Honourable Commissioner for Health for maintaining close collaboration with his Ministry in implementing health programmes that directly impact local government communities. He assured that the Ministry and all Local Government Councils would continue to provide the required support for government policies and programmes aimed at improving health outcomes and strengthening healthcare delivery across Sokoto State.

Those in attendance included Chairman of Dange Shuni Local Government, Hon. Aminu Magaji Bodai; Chairman of Goronyo Local Government, Hon. Engr. Zubairu Yari Goronyo; Chairman of Isa Local Government, Hon. Sharifu Abubakar Kamarawa; Chairman of Sabon Birni Local Government, Hon. Ayuba Mallam Hashimu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alh. Lawwali Sada; Director Administration, Alh. Aminu Muhammed Binji; Director Planning, Alh. Altine Muhammad Yabo; Director Monitoring and Inspection, Alh. Ibrahim Ladan Dogondaji; and the Director of Medical Services, hi Ministry for Health, Dr. Adamu Abubakar.

Bashiru Garba
Public Relations OfficerMinistry for Health
Sokoto State