By Mustapha Salisu
The Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) has commemorated its 25th anniversary with a grand ceremony held on Saturday at the Tahir Guest Palace in Kano.
The event, supported by the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMG) and the Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN), brought together development partners, government officials, and health advocates to celebrate a quarter-century of CHR’s impactful work in improving healthcare delivery and community well-being across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Administrator of CHR, Nafisa Shehu Ibrahim, described the celebration as a moment of joy and reflection on the organization’s remarkable journey of “dedication, impact, and resilience.”
She expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the organization’s success, noting that CHR’s 25-year milestone stands as a testament to its commitment to advancing public health through evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, research, and community engagement.
According to Nafisa, the Initiative, founded in 2000 by Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, a renowned public health expert and advocate, CHR was registered in Kano in 2001 and incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2003. “Since inception, the organization has remained steadfast in promoting quality healthcare for women, children, and communities through innovative initiatives and policy advocacy” She noted.
The Executive Administrator hinted that over the years, CHR has implemented impactful projects across Kano and other Nigerian states, building a strong reputation for transparency and accountability in project management.
“The organization pioneered the use of scorecards by civil society groups to assess maternal, newborn, and child health budget performance, enhancing accountability in the health sector”
“Its advocacy efforts have contributed to the establishment of key health institutions, including State Contributory Health Management Agencies in Bauchi and Kano, the Private Health Institutions Management Agency in Kano, and the Kano State Ultra-Modern Specialist Hospital Board” She revealed.
Nafisa stressed that as part of the activities marking the anniversary, CHR organized a series of initiatives, including the unveiling of an anniversary banner, a special Hasken Matasa Radio episode dedicated to CHR’s 25-year journey, and a Policy and Budget Roundtable Discussion.
The celebration also featured a community outreach visit to VVF Center in Kano, where CHR provided health talks on hygiene and mental well-being and distributed sanitary items to patients.
Delivering the Founder’s address, Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba, who was represented by the Initiative’s Board Chairman, Dr. Musa Muhammad Bello, gave an overview of how CHR came into existence after the successful implementation of several projects and initiatives.
He explained that the anniversary celebration was organized to appreciate Allah for the journey so far and to honor individuals who have made significant contributions to CHR’s growth and achievements.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Ajingi Local Government, Prof. Abdullahi Zubair, stated that if indigenous NGOs in Kano State were to be ranked, CHR would stand out for aligning its activities with the developmental blueprint of successive governments.
He further commended Dr. Aminu Magashi Garba as a champion of leadership and human development in the state.
Highlights of the day’s ceremony, includes CHR presented awards to 25 distinguished individuals who have significantly contributed to the organization’s mission and inaugurated the CHR Steering Group, a body of experts from diverse sectors tasked with supporting CHR’s future engagements.