Former Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Earl Osaro Onaiwu, has commended the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, over his recognition for outstanding achievements in transforming the state’s health sector.

Governor Lawal recently emerged as the Best Governor in the North West for Health Sector Transformation, following significant improvements in Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery across Zamfara State.

The award, which comes with a cash prize of $500,000, was presented by the Gates Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Reacting to the development, Onaiwu described the recognition as a testament to Governor Lawal’s strong commitment to healthcare reform, particularly at the grassroots level. He noted that the administration’s deliberate focus on upgrading primary healthcare centres and expanding access to quality medical services has positively impacted women, children, and rural communities across the state.

According to him, the emphasis on Primary Health Care has translated into measurable improvements in service delivery and health outcomes, positioning Zamfara as a reference point for effective health sector reforms in the North West region.

Onaiwu congratulated the Zamfara State Government and its people on the achievement, describing the award as a proud milestone that underscores the value of purposeful leadership and clear policy priorities.

He expressed optimism that Governor Lawal would sustain the momentum and continue to strengthen the health sector, ensuring lasting benefits for citizens of the state.