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Katsina State's First Lady and leading advocate for polio eradication, Zulaihat Dikko Radda, has launched a renewed campaign to eliminate the deadly disease across the state.
Speaking at an event held at Government House in Katsina to mark World Polio Day, Radda called for stronger collaboration between families, community leaders and health officials to continue the fight against polio and other preventable childhood diseases.
“As the world comes together to celebrate World Polio Day, we are reminded that our shared fight against this horrific disease remains an urgent reality for many communities in Nigeria, especially here in Katsina,” Radda said.
He urged parents to ensure that their children receive full vaccination, calling vaccination “a gift to the future they deserve.” He also appealed to traditional and religious leaders to leverage their influence in motivating communities for complete vaccine coverage.
Highlighting the emerging threat of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (CvPV2), Radda revealed that Nigeria has recorded over 70 cases across 14 states and 46 local government areas in 2024, with Katsina now identified as the epicenter of transmission.
“In 2024 alone, Katsina recorded 17 cases, with two more cases reported in Danmusa local government area this year,” he said. “These are children who deserve to run, play and grow up free from preventable trauma.”
He reiterated his commitment to ensure that no child in Katsina is left behind in the state’s vaccination drive.
Rahma Mohammed Farah, Head of UNICEF Field Office, Kano, lauded the state's new efforts, noting that the goal of a polio-free Nigeria can be achieved through sustained community participation and political will.
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“Polio eradication is indeed within our reach, but success depends on our collective resolve to maintain momentum,” Farah said. “Every child deserves a life free from the devastating effects of polio.”
He said UNICEF, in partnership with government agencies and local stakeholders, has mobilized thousands of vaccination teams in Katsina to ensure that no child is left behind.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Katsina State Primary Health Care Agency, Shamsuddin Yahaya, pledged to intensify awareness campaigns against polio and other child-killing diseases in the 34 local government areas of the state.
The event was attended by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), polio survivors, UNICEF officials and the wives of all the 34 local government chairmen in the state.
