The United States has announced Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State and President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote as its Malaria Fight Ambassadors in Nigeria.
The recognition, bestowed on the recipients on Monday, was jointly organized by the United States International Development Agency (USAID), the US President’s Malaria Initiative in Nigeria and the United States Mission in Nigeria.
Yari was named along with Alhaji Aliko Dangote as the ambassadors of Malaria fight for 2016 in Public and Private Sectors respectively, at this Year’s World Malaria Day in recognition of their contributions to the fight against Malaria in Nigeria.
The event took place at the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja and was witnessed by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale; the Deputy Head of US Mission in Nigeria, Mr. David Young and Head of the USAID.
The recipients in separate goodwill messages, expressed their appreciation over the efforts of the United States Government, the USAID and the PMI in the fight against Malaria.
Yari urged President Trump of the United States to consider the American Interest in the Developing Nations as key and strategic to the US economic and other humanitarian development policies.
Yari said: “As leader of the world, there is greater need for the government of the United States of America and President Donald Trump to consider other countries, particularly countries with US interest in the US economic and humanitarian development policies.”
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum said the NGF will continue to collaborate with the US Government and other Donor Agencies in the fight against Malaria and other diseases in Nigeria.
Yari also expressed delight over an official declaration at the occasion that, Zamfara is 0.9% of HIV/AIDS Infection.
He said since he came on board as the Governor of the State in 2011, he adopted a holistic approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, involving Traditional Rulers, politicians, Government Officials, and Professionals.
Yari explained further that part of his administration’s strategy include adhering to the advice by the professionals, and the International Donor Agencies.