The colonial era was filled with different noble and honourable individuals who championed causes that redefine humanity. Among those individuals was Queen Amina of Zaria. Her historic life, predicated on her leadership qualities, were testimonials that there were times in the past when men did not feel threatened because women held positions of power. Her bravery and guts also proved that women deserved to lead because of age, kinship or merit. Women could even oust men who were not performing their duties effectively.
In the 21st century, another woman arrived to fill the void of great women who have graced our world. That woman is no one else other than Dr. Nusirat Elelu, one of those precious seeds planted in Africa to help human beings especially the plebs in the society. As a selfless individual, Dr. Nusirat Elelu works with a sincere heart and has a specific target to achieve with all her actions. Being a woman doesn't stop her from doing what is beyond the capacity of women in the society.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu trained as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maiduguri and obtained her PhD from the prestigious University of Bristol (UK) in 2016. She is a field epidemiologist with expertise studying vector borne pathogens of animals that cause serious public health diseases. Her choice of intellectual and academic sojourn have significant economic impacts on many nations, especially Africa. She lectured Veterinary Public Health at the University of Ilorin and is currently an Associate Professor.
In 2020, she was appointed as the Executive Secretary, Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KWPHCDA). Under her stewardship, the Agency met and surpassed the target to reach 6,700 pregnant women and launched a nutritional supplementation program aimed at accelerating nutrition results in Kwara State. The program provides, amongst other benefits, maternal infants and young child nutrition counseling, iron, folic acid and intermittent prophylaxis treatment for malaria for pregnant women, etc.
Being a passionate personality, her tremendous impact during the COVID-19 has saved the lives of many individuals in the State. She strategized how the COVID-19 vaccine campaign would be conducted in in the State. The first two phases of the campaign which was available at the designated primary, secondary and tertiary health facilities earned Kwara one of the best rated in terms of preparedness and coverage. Out of her selfless service, she urged citizens to take the COVID-19 vaccination via different social media platforms, community meetings, sensitization and others.
Gender has never made her think less of her capacity, abilities and functions in society. This year, polio campaign in Kwara was scored 100% by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, where all the LGAs of the State passed the Lot Quality Assurance Survey and a letter of commendation was given to the State.
Another quality campaign to reduce maternal and neonaral tetanus, such preventable deaths by vaccination of vulnerable women, a 'risk analysis' purposely to identify the LGAs with highest burden of maternal and neonatal tetanus and three round of tetanus campaign was carried out to reach each of the identified LGAs. This will in no small measure reduce the incidence of neonatal tetanus in pregnant women and women of childbearing aged 15 to 49 years. The 10 LGAs benefited from the Tetanus immunization include Asa, Baruten, Edu, Ilorin West, Irepodun, Moro, Oke-ero, Oyun, Ilorin East and Patigi. And over 500,000 women were vaccinated during the 3 rounds of the campaign.
Dr. Nursirat Elelu has shown and still shows excellence with the way and manner she carries on with her work. Commitment is one thing and sincerity of purpose is another. Dr. Elelu in her bid to deliver effectively married both together and her desire was inevitably birthed. Her dedication and commitment towards the wellness and health of women especially has vividly shown that she's leaving no stone unturned as the revitalization of our Primary Health Care system is concerned, especially at this trying time of health care deficit. So far, Kwara is one of the few states in the country that has operarionalised the Basic HealthCare Provision Fund (BHCPF) for 1 functional PHC in each of the wards. So far under the BHCPF, 158 PHCs have been revitalised to ensure quality services are available to the grassroot population. Additionally 200 CHIPS agents have been trained to provide emergency services in 4 of our poor performing LGAs and drive demand to PhCs.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu mentors several young female students to pursue medical related disciplines and serves as Academic Adviser to students of One Health Initiative, the first of its kind in Africa.
She is also Fellow Veterinary Surgeon of Nigeria, the highest professional qualification in Veterinary Medicine. She is also an Affiliate of the Africa Academy of Sciences. Furthermore, she is a member of several professional associations such as the American Society for Microbiology among other and a recipient of many awards and honours.
Leadership role is not by age, affluent or personality. It's by wisdom, sense of responsibility and perseverance which depicts Dr. Nusirat Elelu in discharging her duty distinctively with foresight that serves as limelight in the health system in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
Indeed, she's a distinguished leader in all ramifications.
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