By Murtala Muhammad
Bauchi State Government and development partners have reaffirmed commitment to expanding the Community Reorientation Women Network, CRoWN, as a sustainable model for community-led healthcare and women’s empowerment.
They made the commitment during the 2026 CRoWN Stakeholder engagement held at Government House, Bauchi, attended by the First Lady, top government officials, traditional leaders, development partners and community ambassadors across the state.
The annual gathering reviews achievements, strengthens partnerships and promotes sustainability.
Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, described CRoWN as a successful community engagement initiative that enhaces trust between communities and healthcare providers across the state.
Dr Mohammed said the programme has supported routine immunisation, maternal and child healthcare, nutrition and other primary healthcare services.
The First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, praised CRoWN Ambassadors for connecting health facilities with communities through advocacy for antenatal care, immunisation, skilled childbirth, nutrition and healthier lifestyles.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Almuhibba Foundation towards supporting medical outreaches, maternal and child healthcare, girls’ education, prevention of gender-based violence and women’s economic empowerment across communities in the state.
Speaking virtually, Chief Executive Officer of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Dr Zouera Youssoufou, described CRoWN as a successful community-led development model driven by local leadership, partnerships and strong community ownership.
She disclosed that Bauchi hosts 622 CRoWN Ambassadors serving 211 settlements, while the initiative has expanded to over 7,900 ambassadors, reaching more than 900,000 households across northern Nigeria.
Representative of the Solina Centre for International Development and Research, Dr Rihanna Ibrahim commended the state government and Primary Health Care Board for sustaining CRoWN and expanding its reach.
She explained that the stakeholder engagement reviewed implementation progress, shared lessons, highlighted community impact and promoted CRoWN as a credible platform for improving healthcare demand and women’s economic empowerment.
The State Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, traditional leaders and other partners described community participation as essential to improving healthcare delivery and reaffirmed support for strengthening referrals, accountability and volunteerism across the state.
The event featured goodwill messages from health partners, cultural performances and an exhibition where CRoWN Ambassadors displayed agricultural produce, crafts and businesses that reflects the programme’s growing socioeconomic and community health impact.
