Health Care : FG Inaugurates Committee To Deepen Community Engagement

The Federal Government has inaugurated the Southern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care as part of efforts to deepen community engagement and improve healthcare delivery across Nigeria.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof Mohammed Ali Pate emphasised the critical role of traditional institutions in shaping health outcomes, noting that sustainable progress in Nigeria’s health sector depends on culturally grounded and community-driven approaches.

Professor Ali-Pate who said Nigeria’s diversity remains a major strength that must be harnessed to improve public health interventions stressed that policies and programmes are more effective when adapted to local realities and implemented with the support of trusted community leaders.

Describing traditional rulers as custodians of culture and “gatekeepers of trust,” the Minister said their influence often surpasses that of formal policy documents, making their involvement in primary healthcare indispensable.

He explained that, the newly inaugurated committee will serve as a coordinating platform for traditional leaders across southern Nigeria, working closely with zonal and state structures to promote key health priorities such as primary healthcare, maternal and child health, immunisation, and community-level advocacy.

Earlier in his remark, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Muyi Aina reiterated that engaging traditional institutions is central to achieving national health goals, strengthening healthcare systems, and expanding access to essential services.

Dr. Aina urged traditional rulers to use their influence to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve vaccine uptake, and ensure access to treatment for diseases such as malaria and pneumonia.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, appreciated the Federal government drawing from lessons of the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee and pledged the Southern Traditional Leaders Committee on Primary Health Care to provide a formal mechanism for aligning traditional leadership structures with national and subnational PHC
priorities.

In a Goodwill message, on behalf of the development partners, the representative of Bill Gates foundation, Dr. Aruwa Oteri said the initiative underscores the critical role of traditional institutions in advancing healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

He noted that traditional rulers remain trusted voices and key influencers who bridge the gap between communities and formal health systems and emphasized that effective primary healthcare depends not only on availability of services but also on community acceptance and trust.

Also speaking, Dr. Ben Nkechika representing the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, said the committee presents an opportunity to address poor health indices by leveraging the influence and grassroots presence of traditional rulers.

He assured that local government authorities are ready to collaborate with traditional institutions to improve health outcomes nationwide.

The event concluded with the formal inauguration of the committee and commendation of its leadership for bringing together traditional rulers to advance primary healthcare delivery in the region.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji