The Sultan of Sokoto and President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Muahammad Sa’ad Abubakar has reassured of his support to the routine polio immunization, even as he appealed to parents to bring their children 0-59 months for polio vaccination.
Speaking through the District Head of Bodinga local government, Alhaji AbdulRauf Bello in his goodwill message during the flag off of the June, 2025 Outbreak Response Campaign on Immunization for Polio-Virus Type 2 (CVPV2) in Sokoto, the Sultan promised his support for any initiative geared towards ensuring wellbeing and good health for citizenry.
According to the respected traditional cum religious leader, it cost less to prevent than to cure hence urging parents to accept and comply with the polio vaccination to allow for a world where no child suffers consequences of parental neglect.
Before flagging off the National Immunization Day in the state, governor Ahmed Aliyu represented by his deputy, Mohammed Idris Gobir thanked donor agencies for their tremendous efforts to the healthcare service delivery in the state.
The governor who noted that the state is making steady progress in both healthcare delivery and immunization adding that they are also stepping up efforts to interrupt persistent transmission of circulating vaccine-derived polio-virus type 2 (cVPV2) in the state, appealed for continued collaboration to address not only the challange but also build a more resilient healthcare system.
“Let me assure that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto (FCNA) remain firmly committed to eradicating polio and strengthening primary healthcare services across the state.
“Polio remains a devastating disease that can lead to lifelong paralysis, but it is entirely preventable through timely and complete vaccination. The Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is safe, effective, and provided free of charge. To ensure full protection, children must receive multiple doses—even if they have been previously vaccinated – they must receive another dose during this campaign”, governor Ahmed Aliyu instructed.
Ealier in his welcome address, the chairman of Shagari local government, Hon Barrister Maidawa Kajiji
represented by his vice, Alhaji Mansur Rafi said flagging off the June round of 2025 polio in their domain was a great honour and a call to action for all of them, adding, they will ensure that all and sundry comply accordingly.
On his part, the state commissioner of Health, Dr Umar Faruk Abubakar said all neccessary logistics for hitch free excercise has been put in place.
In their respective goodwill messages, Dr Claude Kacil Monj the UNICEF
SBC Polio Team Lead, and the Sokoto State Coodnator of World Health Organization, Dr Yusuf Mohammed Argungu as well as the representative of Bill Gates Foundation, Dr Shazad Banj all expressed satisfaction with the development, adding they are committed to a universe without polio thus appealing to parents to ensure that their wards are immunized against killer diseases.
