By: Olufadi Balarabe Ayuba.
The colonial era was full of noble and honorable people who championed causes that redefined humanity. Lioness of Lisabi was one of those people. Her historic life, built on her leadership qualities, demonstrated that there were times when men did not feel threatened because women held positions of power. Her bravery and guts also demonstrated that women deserved to be leaders regardless of age, kinship, or merit. Women could even oust men who were not carrying out their responsibilities effectively.
Another woman arrived in the twenty-first century to fill the void left by the great women who have graced our world. That woman is none other than Dr. Nusirat Elelu, one of the those priceless seeds planted in Africa to benefit humans, particularly the plebs in society Dr. Nusirat Elelu, as a selfless individual, works with a sincere heart and has a specific goal in mind with all of her actions. Being a woman does not prevent her from doing things that women in society are not capable of doing.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu received her DVM from the University of Maiduguri and her PhD from the prestigious University of Bristol (UK) in 2016. She is a field epidemiologist who specializes in animal vector-borne pathogens that cause serious public health problems. Her intellectual and academic journey has had a significant economic impact on many nations, particularly in Africa. She gave a veterinary public health lecture at University of Ilorin. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Ilorin.
She was appointed Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWPHCDA) in 2020. Under her leadership, the Agency met and exceeded its goal of reaching 6,700 pregnant women, as well as launching a nutritional supplementation program aimed at accelerating nutrition outcomes in Kwara State. The program offers, among other things, nutrition counseling for mothers, infants, and young children, iron, folic acid, and malaria prophylaxis for pregnant women.
Her tremendous impact during the COVID-19, as a passionate personality, has saved the lives of many individuals in the State. She planned how the COVID-19 vaccine campaign would be implemented in the state. The campaign's first two phases, which was available at designated primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities. Kwara was rated as one of the best in terms of preparedness and coverage because it was available at designated primary, secondary, and tertiary health facilities. She urged citizens to get the COVID-19 vaccination through various social media platforms, community meetings, sensitization, and other means as part of her selfless service.
Through various skill acquisitions, she has empowered over 100 people in the Ilorin metropolis.
Gender has never diminished her capacity, abilities, or social functions. This year, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency gave Kwara a perfect score for its polio campaign, and all of the state's LGAs passed the Lot Quality Assurance Survey, earning the state a letter of commendation.
Another quality campaign was carried out to reduce maternal and neonatal tetanus, such preventable deaths by vaccination of vulnerable women, a 'risk analysis' to identify the LGAs with the highest burden of maternal and neonatal tetanus, and three rounds of tetanus campaign to reach each of the identified LGAs. This will significantly reduce the incidence of neonatal tetanus in pregnant women and childbearing women aged 15 to 49 years. Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Moro, Oke-ero, Oyun, Ilorin East, and Patigi are among the ten LGAs that benefited from Tetanus immunization. Moreover, over 500,000 women were vaccinated during the campaign's three rounds.
Dr. Nursirat Elelu has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate excellence in the way she conducts her work. Commitment is one thing, but sincerity of purpose is something else entirely. Her dedication and commitment to women's wellness and health, in particular, has clearly demonstrated that she is leaving no stone unturned in the revitalization of our Primary Health Care system, especially in this trying time of health care deficit. Kwara is currently one of the few states in the country that has operationalized the Basic HealthCare Provision Fund (BHCPF) for one functional PHC in each of the wards. So far, 158 PHCs have been revitalized under the BHCPF to ensure that quality services are available to the grassroots population.
In addition, 200 CHIPS agents have been trained to provide emergency services and drive demand to PhCs in four of our low-performing LGAs.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu mentors several young female students interested in medical fields and serves as Academic Adviser to students of the One Health Initiative, Africa's first of its kind.
She is also a Nigerian Fellow Veterinary Surgeon, the highest professional designation in Veterinary Medicine. She's also a member of the Africa Academy of Sciences. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society for Microbiology, and has received numerous awards and honors.
Leadership is not determined by age, wealth, or personality. Dr. Nusirat Elelu exemplifies wisdom, sense of responsibility, and perseverance in carrying out her duties distinctively and with foresight in the health system of Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
She is, indeed, a distinguished leader in all aspects.
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