Esther Salifu
Katsina State Government, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has reiterated its commitment to eliminating preventable childhood diseases particularly polio across the state.
Speaking at an event to commemorate the 2025 World Polio Day in Katsina on Friday, the First Lady of Katsina State, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko-Radda, reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to ensure that no child is left behind and no life is lost to diseases that can be prevented through vaccination.
“Our promise remains the same: every child in Katsina must be protected. No child should suffer or die from a preventable disease. Together, we can make the dream of a polio-free world a reality,” she said.
Mrs. Dikko-Radda emphasized that the major challenge confronting the fight against polio was not the availability of vaccines or trained health workers, but rather vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and fear.
“Vaccine resistance continues to endanger the health of our children. A new threat the circulating Variant Polio Virus Type 2 (cVPV2) is silent but dangerous. The vaccines are safe, effective, and remain our strongest defense,” she cautioned.
The First Lady called on mothers and caregivers to play a pivotal role in the campaign by ensuring that all eligible children are taken to health centers for routine immunization.
In his remarks, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr. Rahama Mohammed-Farah represented by the organization’s Child Protection Specialist, Ms. Fatima Adamu commended the progress made in Katsina State, noting a remarkable drop in polio cases.
“In 2024, Katsina recorded 17 cases across eight Local Government Areas. This year, only two cases were reported in Danmusa LGA. This is a clear sign that our collective efforts are paying off,” Mohammed-Farah stated.
He, however, warned against complacency, stressing that the final push to eradicate polio requires sustained collaboration and vigilance.
“Polio has no cure, but it is entirely preventable. With vaccines, we can protect every child from paralysis and death. We must not relent until polio becomes a disease of the past,” he urged.
UNICEF further appealed to wives of Local Government Chairmen and community leaders to intensify grassroots sensitization and encourage caregivers to vaccinate their children.
