The Wife of the Governor of Niger State, Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Bago, has commended the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) for its significant contributions to improving healthcare delivery, particularly for women and children across the state.
She gave the commendation while receiving a delegation from PPFN on a courtesy visit in Minna. The delegation was led by the Regional Coordinator of PPFN’s North Central Region Office, Mr. Mohammed Muregi.
Her Excellency expressed delight over PPFN’s presence and interventions in Niger State and several Local Government Areas, noting that the organization’s programmes have continued to positively impact health outcomes, especially among underserved populations.
“I commend what PPFN is doing for women and children, particularly in the areas of family planning and cervical cancer screening through medical outreaches,” she said.
Hajiya Fatima Bago assured the delegation of her willingness to collaborate closely with PPFN and pledged to engage relevant state authorities to provide the necessary support that would enhance the organization’s outreach services. She also urged PPFN to strengthen its collaboration with the Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to further improve service delivery.
In appreciation of her appointment as Patron of PPFN in the North Central Region, Her Excellency formally accepted the role, pledging to mobilize both human and financial resources to support the organization’s mission.
As part of her commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery, the Governor’s wife also pledged the donation of a dedicated outreach vehicle to PPFN Niger State. The vehicle will facilitate access to healthcare services in rural and hard-to-reach communities across the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Mohammed Muregi stated that PPFN was eager to deepen its partnership with the Niger State Government to improve access to reproductive and primary healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
He explained that while PPFN initially focused on family planning services, its scope has expanded to include fully integrated healthcare services such as cervical cancer screening and other essential medical tests provided through its static clinics and community outreaches.
“On a monthly basis, PPFN conducts medical outreaches in collaboration with state governments to serve underserved communities,” Muregi noted.
He disclosed that in 2025 alone, PPFN delivered millions of healthcare services across the North Central Region, covering family planning, cervical cancer screening, and treatment of minor ailments.
Mr. Muregi explained that the visit was aimed at formally introducing PPFN to the Governor’s wife, inviting her to actively participate in the organization’s activities, and aligning its programmes with the New Niger Agenda of the current administration.
He further requested Her Excellency’s consent to serve as Regional Patron of PPFN for the North Central Region, citing her unwavering commitment to women, children, and persons with disabilities.
As part of the strengthened partnership, Mr. Muregi proposed the establishment of a “New Niger Safe Motherhood Initiative” aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes across the state. In addition, a strategic agreement was reached to conduct state-wide Community Service Provider (CSP) training for 50 nurses and midwives per Local Government Area, significantly strengthening family planning services at the grassroots level.
He also highlighted that PPFN is licensed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) to conduct reproductive health training for nurses, doctors, and midwives, further reinforcing its capacity to support health system strengthening in Niger State.
This partnership marks a significant step towards expanding access to quality reproductive and primary healthcare services and advancing the health and wellbeing of women, children, and families across Niger State.
