The United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF has said the media is a critical stakeholder in Polio eradication in Nigeria.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Rahama Rihood Farah disclosed this at a Media Dialogue on Polio and Routine Immunization held in Dutse, the state capital.
Farah, represented by Dr Serekeberehan Seyoum Deres, Health Manager, UNICEF Kano Field Office said the Media Dialogue is to solicit the support of the media in raising awareness and mobilizing parents, caregivers, communities, stakeholders, the public and everyone about the Polio Vaccination Campaign which Nigeria has scheduled to implement from 24-30 April 2025.
He said the campaign also coincides with the World Immunization Week scheduled for the same period.
According to him, “Polio is a highly infectious disease with potentially deadly consequences for young children. It has been the leading cause of paralysis among children and can cause death”
He called on parents and other stakeholders to make sure all children have been vaccinated against the dream killer.
He urged the media to deploy their various channels to share information about the polio vaccination campaign and mobilize parents and caregivers to bring out their children massively for vaccination during the campaign.
Shehu Ibrahim programme, manager State Emergency Routine Immunization coordination centre, SERICC, said in Jigawa, a total of 1.9m was targeted for the polio immunisation exercise.
According to him ” In February 2025, immunisation exercise a total of seven children were missed in Garki, Kaugama and Maigatari Local Government area ”
He said the state government has introduced various measures to ensure no single child is left behind during the upcoming immunisation campaign.
He noted that immunisation teams would be deployed to markets and boarders to ensure full coverage and to ensure no zero child is recorded.
