Nasarawa Advances Public Health Security as Attorney General Hosts Federal Ministry, RTSL Delegation
Commends Strong Collaboration, Highlights Progress of Public Health Security Bill at Assembly
The Nasarawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening public health security through sustained legal and institutional reforms, as the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Barr. Isaac Danladi, hosted a joint delegation from the Federal Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL).
The visit formed part of the annual international non-governmental organisation (iNGO) compliance engagement by Resolve to Save Lives in Nasarawa State.
Welcoming the delegation, Barr. Danladi commended Resolve to Save Lives for its strong partnership with the State Government, particularly in advancing sub national health security legal reforms.
He described the progress recorded on the Nasarawa State Public Health Security Bill as a major milestone, noting that the bill has passed second reading at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and is currently at the committee stage, awaiting final passage into law.
The Attorney General reiterated the State Government’s resolve to continue strengthening its health security architecture through comprehensive legal frameworks and effective institutional collaboration.
Speaking during the visit, Ms. Nanlop Ogbureke, Executive Director of RTSL Nigeria, explained that the engagement had two key objectives: the annual iNGO compliance review of RTSL-supported programmes in the State and the formal introduction of an additional workstream on lead poisoning prevention.
She disclosed that Nasarawa State was selected for the intervention based on national data and desk reviews, adding that the RTSL team had earlier met with the State Ministry of Environment, which expressed readiness to partner in ensuring sustainable implementation.
Ms. Ogbureke outlined RTSL’s core workstreams, including Prevent Epidemics and Cardiovascular Health, the latter covering hypertension control, nutrition interventions focused on trans-fat elimination and sodium reduction, and now lead to poisoning prevention. She noted that RTSL currently operates in States such as Kano, Ogun and Kwara, with plans to expand to Lagos and other States.
Also speaking, Mr. Emmanuel Achibong, Team Lead from the Federal Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning, expressed satisfaction with RTSL’s implementation model in Nasarawa State, describing the collaboration between the organization and the State Government as effective and impactful.
Providing further insight, Danjuma Jenom, Principal Advisor and Manager for Prevent Epidemics at RTSL Nigeria, highlighted Nigeria’s gradual progress in global health security, referencing improvements in the World Health Organization-led Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of the country’s International Health Regulations capacities—from 39 per cent in 2017 to 54 per cent in the 2023 assessment.
He stressed that health security challenges are most evident at the subnational level, making the strengthening of state capacities imperative.
He disclosed that Nasarawa is among 13 States that have conducted sub national JEE assessments with RTSL and NCDC support.
In her remarks, Barr. Justina Allu, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice and State Focal Person for Sub national Legal Reforms, expressed appreciation to Resolve to Save Lives for its sustained technical support.
She reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the successful passage and effective implementation of the State’s public health security legal framework.
Resolve to Save Lives is a global health organisation founded by former US CDC Director Tom Frieden, working with governments and partners worldwide to design and scale proven solutions to major public health threats.
