The United Nations Children’s Fund has called on parents and stakeholders in Jigawa State to take immediate action towards eliminating the remnants of the polio virus in the state.
The appeal was made during a one-day Mass Mobilisation Dialogue with journalists and Social Media Youth Influencers organised by UNICEF Kano Field Office, in conjunction with the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, on Monday.
PUNCH Online reports that the meeting, which aimed to mobilise support for the upcoming polio immunisation exercise, comes barely four days before the nationwide campaign kicks off on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the UNICEF Jigawa State Team Leader, Mr Jibril Shu’aibu, emphasised the crucial role of the media in mobilising communities for immunisation.
“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.
“The dialogue meeting aimed to engage media practitioners and social media influencers in promoting polio vaccination and addressing misconceptions about the vaccine,” he added.
The team leader also highlighted that UNICEF has been supporting Jigawa State in its efforts to eradicate polio, including deploying facilitators, volunteers, and community mobilisers to support the immunisation exercise.
He urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that every child in the state is protected against polio.
He reaffirmed the commitment of UNICEF towards supporting Jigawa State and Nigeria in eradicating polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
On his part, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Cluster Consultant, Dr Sabiu Muhd, provided an update on the polio situation in Nigeria, noting that although the country was declared polio-free in August 2018, efforts are ongoing to eliminate the remnants of the virus.
“We have made significant progress, but we must not be complacent. We need to ensure that every child is vaccinated to prevent the resurgence of polio,” he said.
According to the WHO Cluster Consultant, the polio immunisation exercise is part of a nationwide campaign targeting 42 million children across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He further explained that WHO remains committed to supporting the deployment of vaccination teams, health workers, and community mobilisers to ensure the success of the upcoming exercise.
Earlier, the Health Education Officer of the JSPHCDA, Mr Sani Yusuf, explained that the immunisation exercise would involve house-to-house visits and fixed posts, targeting over 1.5 million children under the age of five.
He urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated, saying, “Polio vaccines are safe and effective, and we are committed to reaching every child in Jigawa.”
Other speakers at the meeting emphasised the importance of community engagement and participation in polio eradication efforts.
Representatives of the media organisations present at the dialogue vowed to lend their support to the success of the polio immunisation exercise, pledging to disseminate accurate and timely information to the public, counter misinformation, and mobilise communities to ensure that every child in Jigawa State is vaccinated against poliovirus.
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