APC Chairman Marks 58th Birthday in Taraba, Flags Off Free Medical Outreach, Commissions Six Projects
By Aga Samuel Imoter
Jalingo
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has marked his 58th birthday anniversary in Taraba State with the flag-off of a free medical and surgical outreach expected to benefit more than 10,000 people across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The outreach, which began on August 3, 2026, is being conducted through selected health facilities across the state, with tertiary-level services provided by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jalingo.
The initiative is aimed at expanding access to medical and surgical care for residents, particularly vulnerable persons and families who may be unable to meet the cost of essential healthcare services.
The flag-off ceremony, held at FMC Jalingo, coincided with the commissioning of six major healthcare projects executed under the leadership of the Medical Director, Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu.
The newly commissioned facilities are the Accident and Emergency Complex, Auditorium, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Theatre Complex, High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Kidney Centre.
The event was attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas; members of the National Assembly; senior APC officials; Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors of federal health institutions across the North-East; members of the Taraba State Executive Council and House of Assembly, among other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda said he chose to mark his birthday through a humanitarian intervention designed to provide practical support to people facing healthcare challenges.
He thanked Governor Kefas for the reception accorded him and commended the management of FMC Jalingo for the transformation recorded at the institution.
The APC chairman also acknowledged the support of the Taraba State Government in extending the medical intervention to communities across the three senatorial districts.
He urged political leaders, public officials, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
Yilwatda also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the medical outreach and commended Prof. Pate for his efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Governor Kefas commended Yilwatda for choosing Taraba as the venue for his 58th birthday and for using the occasion to provide free medical services to residents.
The governor said the intervention would provide much-needed relief to beneficiaries, particularly people who might otherwise struggle to access medical and surgical care.
He also commended the medical personnel and frontline healthcare workers participating in the outreach for their dedication and commitment to serving residents across the state.
Kefas welcomed the Coordinating Minister and other dignitaries to Taraba, describing their participation as a demonstration of support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, congratulated Yilwatda on his 58th birthday and commended the decision to use the occasion to support healthcare delivery.
Pate stressed the importance of interventions that expand access to healthcare and improve the wellbeing of underserved communities.
He also commended Governor Kefas for his efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in Taraba and praised the Medical Director of FMC Jalingo for the transformation recorded at the facility.
The commissioning of the six projects represents a major addition to the healthcare infrastructure of FMC Jalingo.
The facilities are expected to improve the hospital’s capacity to provide emergency, critical, surgical and specialised medical services, including renal care.
The Medical Director, Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu, expressed appreciation to the APC chairman, the Taraba State Government, the Coordinating Minister and other stakeholders for their support.
Adamu said the projects formed part of the institution’s efforts to strengthen service delivery and provide a more conducive environment for patients and healthcare professionals.
She described the decision by Yilwatda to commemorate his birthday through a humanitarian healthcare intervention as worthy of emulation, urging individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support programmes that improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
As part of the event, Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors of federal health institutions across the North-East contributed ₦10 million towards the medical outreach.
The donation was made in support of the ongoing provision of free medical and surgical services to beneficiaries across Taraba State.
Earlier, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr Bodiya Buma, welcomed the APC chairman, the Coordinating Minister and other dignitaries to the state.
He commended the healthcare workers involved in the programme for their dedication and sacrifices towards ensuring the success of the outreach.
The ceremony also featured a birthday cake-cutting session in honour of Yilwatda and a cultural performance by the Taraba State Council for Arts and Culture.
The medical outreach and commissioning of the projects underscore the growing focus on expanding healthcare access and infrastructure in Taraba State, with FMC Jalingo reaffirming its commitment to improving specialised services and delivering quality, patient-centred healthcare.
The outreach is expected to continue providing medical and surgical interventions to beneficiaries across the state’s three senatorial districts.
