Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has warned parents against resisting polio vaccination, saying, serious measures would be taken against any parent who resist the ongoing polio vaccination exercise in the state.
This warning is coming following the discovering of three new polio cases in Warawa, Bunkure and Nassarawa Local Government Areas of the state.
Gov. Yusuf, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, gave the warning during the flag off ceremony of the fitst round of the 2025 polio vaccination campaign in Warawa Local Government Area of the state.
According to the governor, investigation has revealed that some families in the affected local government areas have refused to present their children for any immunization, raising the risk to infecting others, stressing the need for parents to present their wards for the vaccine to boost their immunity.
He cited islamic countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Kuwait, Iran, Tunisia Mecca and Indonesia among others who either produce the vaccine or have taken it to become polio free, saying religion has nothing to do with it, but lack of love for a child.
The governor therefore urged them to present their children for the exercise to ensure a healthy growth and also put an end to the disease before the December dateline.
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While thanking the development partners for their support, the governor reiterated the state government committment to the development of the health sector and welfare of its citizens.
Speaking also, the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Labaran Yusuf, explained that the state is being challenged by the influx of immigrants but would ensure that any child coming into the state or is been given birth to are vaccinated.
While noting that the number of cases recorded in 2024 has reduced, he said in 2025, there would be four rounds of immunization campaigns, as such, parents should ensure their children are vaccinated.
Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Mr. Micheal Banda, said Nigeria remains central to the global efforts to stop the circulating variant polio virus, noting that Kano is a high priority state.
“The polio vaccine is safe, effective, and has reduced polio cases by 99.9 perc since 1988. But polio is still a threat – just one case can spark outbreaks. To eliminate it, we must vaccinate all children under the age of five years in every round,” Banda said.
He however, restated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state government’s efforts in reaching every child and strengthening community engagements.
