Sokoto Govt, UNICEF Launch New Campaign To End Polio In 2025
The Sokoto State Government, in partnership with UNICEF, has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to achieving a polio-free status by the end of 2025, in a renewed effort to eradicate the poliovirus and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
This pledge was made during a media roundtable with journalists on Thursday, where officials announced the commencement of the June round of the Outbreak Response (OBR 2) immunization campaign across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Faruk Umar Abubakar, revealed that over 2,709 vaccination teams have been deployed across the state’s 244 wards. This includes 2,057 house-to-house teams, 488 special outreach teams, 244 fixed-site teams for routine immunization, and community leaders embedded within each team.
He emphasized the importance of community involvement, particularly urging fathers to allow their children to be vaccinated at their doorsteps.
“There’s no justification for any vaccinator to enter homes without permission. All children should be brought outside to be vaccinated in full view. This ensures accountability and transparency,” he said.
Dr. Faruk issued a stern warning against manipulation of immunization data, stating that any healthcare worker found guilty of falsifying figures or skipping assigned households had been dismissed and replaced with competent personnel. “We are committed to integrity. Forced data entry and false reports will not be tolerated”
He extended special appreciation to the State Deputy Governor, Idris Muhammad Gobir, for his leadership in coordinating the state’s immunization task force. He also commended traditional and religious leaders, particularly His Eminence, the Sultan, whose advocacy has helped boost public confidence in the vaccination program.
Local government chairmen in Sokoto North, Wamakko, and Sokoto South were also recognized for their exceptional leadership in mobilizing resources and encouraging parental participation.
Despite recorded progress, Dr. Faruk noted that vaccine-preventable diseases, including variant strains of poliovirus and childhood illnesses, continue to persist, particularly in underserved and mobile populations. He cited poor sanitation, economic hardship, and limited access to healthcare as major barriers to full immunization coverage, especially in IDP camps and border communities.
“From 1988 to 2021, over 25 million cases of childhood paralysis were recorded globally due to polio. Despite the remarkable progress made, the job isn’t done until no child is left behind,” he said.
He assured the public of the state’s readiness to conduct the June round successfully and reiterated the ultimate goal stating that “Until the virus is completely eradicated here and globally, our fight continues. With political will, community participation, and partner support, we will achieve our goal.”
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Claude Kacil Monj, Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Polio Team Lead for the WHO African Region (WCAR), based in Dakar, Senegal, emphasized the critical role of journalists in sustaining momentum in the fight against polio.
He said when you compare what happened in 2024 to the last campaign cycle, it was a significant improvement, adding that during a recent global strategy meeting with the Polio Director, Nigeria’s progress was acknowledged and clarity is emerging in ongoing efforts.
“We believe that by the end of this year, we will be able to engage more effectively with our national districts in Nigeria”
Dr. Monj highlighted the need for more public engagement, especially in hard-to-reach settlements, and urged journalists to help reshape community perception of the disease.
Other UNICEF team in attendance at the media dialogue include Ibrahim Isa, Officer In Charge of
UNICEF Sokoto Field Office, Priyanka Khanna, Communications Specialist (Polio) UNICEF Nigeria, Abuja, and Ojei Ifeanyi, Health Specialist, UNICEF Sokoto.
Sokoto Govt, UNICEF Launch New Campaign To End Polio In 2025 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
