In Memory of Ahmed Balarabe Hamzah

One of our staff members, Ahmed Hamzah, the MNCH2 State Team Leader in Jigawa, Nigeria, tragically died in a car accident on the night of Sunday, 7 August 2016.

He was on his way back to Jigawa after visiting his family in a neighbouring state for the weekend. He was alone in the car when the accident happened.

All of us at Options and the MNCH2 Programme are deeply saddened by the loss of Ahmed who, as Jigawa State Team Leader, was one of our most respected staff members, and one of the pioneer team who joined MNCH2 at inception.

We got to know Ahmed as a wonderful person with profound personal and professional dedication to improving health services for mothers and children in Northern Nigeria. He was an example to us all.

Prior to joining MNCH2, Ahmed had already established himself as a talented leader. He had worked in a senior capacity for various health projects in Nigeria, including Women for Health (W4H), Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Global Fund and a GlaxoSmithKline Malaria project.

Ahmed particularly believed in the need for closer involvement of communities in health care provision and had supported many Community Based Organisations across Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa and Jigawa States.

In addition to his professional service to the people of Northern Nigeria, Ahmed was a loving husband and father for his family who are living in Bauchi and Jigawa States. Our thoughts and prayers particularly go out to them during this difficult time.

During his life, Ahmed touched the lives of many people. His vision for and commitment to improving the lives of those less fortunate will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire us all. We shall not forget.