The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Nasir Sanni Gwarzo, has received the -WHO Regional Director Award, for his exemplary contribution to improving immunization in the African region.
Speaking at the ceremony, recently in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Emmanuel Osagie Ehanire, said that he was not surprise at the recipient’s achievement, considering his diligence, dedication, sincerity and devotion to his duties while as a Director in the Minister’s office.
Describing Dr. Gwarzo as one of the best officers from the Federal Ministry of Health, the Minister congratulated Dr. Gwarzo, for the Award and urged him not to rest on his oars in giving his best wherever duty calls, for the benefit of Nigeria and humanity at large.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnimbe Mamora, on his part, appreciated the WHO for recognising the recipient for his service while with the organisation.
Also describing Dr. Gwarzo as calm, cool headed, good hearted and one of the brightest and best officers, Dr. Mamora said that the Award is not only to encourage him but to prove to others that ‘’if you do well, you stand a chance of being recognised.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Abdulaziz M. Abdullahi, the Director Special Project, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh, the Director, Human Resource Management, Mr. Mohammed Aliyu and key  management staff of the Health Ministry, took time to applaud Dr. Gwarzo for the indelible mark he has left behind in the health sector which they maintained, would be celebrated not only in Nigeria but in Africa.
Presenting the Award earlier, the WHO Officer – In – charge (OIC), Dr. Clement Peter, said that much was not known about community health, before Dr. Gwarzo joined the WHO.
According to the OIC, it is the recipient’s ingenuity that brought about the involvement of faith based organisations, community leaders, women leaders and opinion moulders in immunization campaigns which he said, is the basis of vaccines acceptability, particularly at conflict zones, in Africa.
Dr. Nasir Gwarzo is a Public Health Physician with in-depth knowledge and skills in diverse areas of public health, particularly in areas of policy, strategy, leadership, management, partnership, as well as health and risk communication.
As a medical officer in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Gwarzo served as Chief Epidemiologists of Nigeria, Director, Port Health Services, Coordinator of National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme and Coordinator National AIDS/STDs Control Programme.
At the international front, Dr. Gwarzo served as the Medical Epidemiologists of the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and as a focal point person for Polio transition and Vaccination in Humanitarian Emergencies in WHO headquarters in Geneva, in 2017.
Enefaa Bob-Manuel
Head Media and Public Relations
