Stakeholders in Niger State have reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating poliomyelitis and improving child immunisation coverage in the state.
Speaking at an event to mark the 2025 World Polio Day, themed “End Polio: For Every Child, Everywhere,” the Health Education Officer, Ministry of Primary Health Care Development Agency, Usman Alhaji Mohammed, said the government remained dedicated to supporting logistics, manpower development, and other critical areas to ensure no child is left behind in the fight against the disease.
He explained that the state’s 25 local government areas, in collaboration with partners such as UNICEF, Rotary International, and the Polio Survivors Group, among others, are working closely to raise awareness and mobilise communities against the disease.
According to him, a “hit-and-run strategy” is being adopted to deliver vaccines to children in hard-to-reach areas, including communities affected by insecurity in the state.
In an interview, the State Woman Leader of the Polio Affected Persons Association, Habiba Garba, called on mothers to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, stressing the importance of immunisation in preventing polio, which can affect a child’s physical development and mobility.
She warned, “mothers who refuse to vaccinate their children may face difficulties in the future if their child contracts polio.”
Garba also encouraged people living with polio to ignore stigma and remain confident, advising them not to let negative comments affect their self-esteem.
“People will always stigmatize, but the best thing to do is to ignore them and move on,” she said.
Also, the State Chairman of the Polio Affected Persons Association, Mallam Awwal Ahmed, stated that marking World Polio Day helps to assess progress in the fight against polio and to plan for its total eradication in Niger State and across Nigeria.
Ahmed disclosed that the association has over 100 members across the 25 local government areas, all working to support efforts to end poliomyelitis in their respective communities.
