The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on parents and stakeholders in Jigawa State to take urgent action to eliminate the remaining traces of the polio virus. The appeal came during a one-day Mass Mobilisation Dialogue with journalists and social media youth influencers, organised by UNICEF’s Kano Field Office in collaboration with the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHCDA) on Monday.
UNICEF Jigawa State Team Leader, Jibril Shu’aibu, stressed the critical role of the media in mobilising communities for polio vaccination. “The media plays a vital role in disseminating accurate information about polio vaccination, and we urge them to support our efforts in reaching every child in Jigawa,” he said. Shu’aibu noted that UNICEF has deployed facilitators, volunteers, and community mobilisers to support the immunisation exercise.
Dr. Sabiu Muhd, WHO Cluster Consultant, provided an update on Nigeria’s polio situation, highlighting that although the country was declared polio-free in August 2018, efforts continue to eliminate the virus completely. “We have made significant progress, but we must not be complacent. Every child must be vaccinated to prevent a resurgence of polio,” he said. The upcoming nationwide campaign will target 42 million children across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Health Education Officer of JSPHCDA, Sani Yusuf, explained that the immunisation exercise will involve house-to-house visits and fixed posts, aiming to reach over 1.5 million children under five. He urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccine, reassuring that “Polio vaccines are safe and effective.”
Media representatives at the dialogue pledged to support the campaign by sharing accurate information, countering misinformation, and mobilising communities to ensure every child in Jigawa State is vaccinated against polio.
