The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has called on traditional rulers and local government chairmen in Kano State to increase their support for routine immunisation, particularly against polio, to safeguard children from preventable diseases.
During an orientation session held in Kaduna for 44 local government chairmen and district heads, Priyanka Khanna, UNICEF’s advocacy specialist, emphasised the importance of immunisation in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.
She warned that polio, which affects young children, can lead to lifelong paralysis or death if left unchecked.
Khanna stressed that traditional rulers and local government officials play a critical role in encouraging communities to prioritise childhood vaccinations, given their trusted status within the community. Their involvement is seen as key to overcoming existing barriers to vaccine acceptance and ensuring every child receives the necessary immunisations.
Kano State has faced challenges in achieving high vaccination rates, with some areas lagging.
Khanna highlighted the need for stronger engagement from local leaders to address these gaps and help sustain Nigeria’s polio-free status.
Mr Rahama Farah, Chief of UNICEF’s Kano Field Office, echoed the concern, revealing that Kano has the highest number of unvaccinated children in Nigeria, putting public health at significant risk.
He described the situation as a “stark reminder” of the urgent need for collective action to close the immunisation gap and protect the lives of children in the state.
Kano’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Abdulsalam, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to improving immunisation coverage and reiterated the importance of collaboration with UNICEF, local leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that all children are protected from preventable diseases.
