UNICEF engages Sokoto, Zamfara religious, district heads on Polio free future 

BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has engaged Sokoto state local government chairmen, religious and traditional leaders on steps towards permanent eradication of polio.

The event, which was was held at the 8 Division Army Officers Mess and Suite, had as its theme: “Accelerating Progress Towards Eradication of Polio Virus in Sokoto state”

Speaking in his welcome address, Sokoto state Commissioner of Health, Dr Umar Abubakar decried the fact that the attitude of some people towards vaccination is retarding the intended progress towards polio eradication in the state.

“It is so disturbing to note that Sokoto is still the second largest state with polio in Nigeria. And the reasons are simply because of
false or poor data collection or non compliance”.

While noting that efforts are seriously on to change the narrative for good, Dr Umar appealed to all to collaborate with the state government towards ending the menace of polio resurgence in the state.

Giving her address, UNICEF Country Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Christian Munduate appealed to all to see polio as a preventable ailment but not a curable one.

According to her, despite tremendous efforts being put in place by the state government towards total eradication of the virus, it is disheartening to note that local governments within the metropolis (Sokoto North and Sokoto South) are still not giving the needed cooperation.

Corroborating the position of the state’s health Commissioner, Mrs. Munduate added that fake finger print marking by some parents and even the vaccinators remained another great threat to polio eradication efforts in Sokoto state.

Addressing the gathering in his opening remarks, Sokoto state deputy governor and chairman of the state’s Task Force on Polio and Routine Immunization Exercise, Dr Idris Muhammad Gobir stressed that the already established state standing committee and sub-committees at the local government and wards levels will be asked to redouble their efforts towards the total eradication of polio in Sokoto.

Continuing, Dr Gobir re-affirmed that Sokoto has the personnel, resources and capacity to end polio permanently.

He therefore appealed to all participants and critical stakeholders in the state to join hands with the state government to ensure that Sokoto becomes polio free.

On his part, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Mohammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111 represented by the district head of Wurno, Alhaji Kabir Cigari Alhassan appealed to all to see themselves as ambassadors of free polio society campaign.

The Sultan further urged religious and traditional leaders in the state to dispel and correct any false narratives that the polio vaccine is not safe, adding that it is safe and necessary for a healthy future for any generation.

Participants at the programme also included the state House of Assembly Health Committee Chairman, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, state ALGON chairman, and many others who collectively indicated their commitment towards achieving a polio free state.