Mr Rahama Rihood Mohamme during the launching of World Polio Day, the #NoMoreZeroDose Immunization Song at Tahir Guest Palace Kano.

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has declared that Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states have about 556, 750 zero dose children for polio meningitis and other related diseases vaccination.

Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Kano, Mr Rahama Rihood Mohammed, stated this during the launching of World Polio Day, the #NoMoreZeroDose Immunization Song at Tahir Guest Palace Kano.

Giving the breakdown,  Rahama hinted that Kano has 280,281; Katsina-171,491; and Jigawa-104,978, zero-dose children.

He lamented that:  “These are children who should be vaccinated but have never received Penta 3 or one single dose of vaccination.”

According to him: “Nationally, Nigeria, has an estimated two million million zero-dose children. Unfortunately, Zero-dose children are at substantial risk of many diseases, including polio.

” We therefore need to spread the message, through this song, of the importance of Immunization and the imperative of getting every child under five fully immunized!

” Besides the importance of awareness creation, to save lives it is also critical to put efforts into strengthening the healthcare system, including routine immunization and extending basic healthcare services to every ward.

” This, of course, requires strong commitment and leadership from everyone: Government, traditional, religious and community leaders; health workers, influencers, actors, and the media!”

Rahama said the essence of the gathering was to raise awareness of the importance of Immunization, which remains the most cost-effective intervention to confront vaccine-preventable diseases, especially in children under 5 years of age.

He further stated that the #nomorezerodose song was launched in Nigeria, and across West African and Central States, fittingly, on World Polio Day.

“This song epitomizes the strong commitment of UNICEF and partners in the West and Central African subregion, including of course Nigeria, to improving Immunization coverage.

“But the song reminds us of the job that we all must do to improve immunization coverage in Nigeria and the sub-region.

” The #NoMoreZeroDose song sheds light on the urgent and critical need for increased immunization coverage in West and Central Africa, a region that has had multiple outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles, polio, yellow fever, cerebrospinal meningitis, just to name a few,” he said.

Rahama added that: “The anthem features top music stars and UNICEF Champions from Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Cameroon and Guinea, namely, Cobhams, WAJE, Master Soumy, Sekouba Bambino, Stanley Enow, Mawndoe, Spyro, Timi Dakolo, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Kate Henshaw, and our very own, Ali Nuhu.

“For Nigeria, this song is significant because, despite the progress made in improving Immunization, Nigeria continues to face challenges in getting all eligible children vaccinated.”

“As I look across this hall, I am pleased at the realization that we have the right mix of audience, who will support the promotion of the #NoMoreZeroDose Song.

” I  therefore urge the traditional and social media, Kannywood, Singers and influencers, to deploy their channels and platforms effectively to ensure that this song goes viral and is widely disseminated.

” The message of ensuring that all children get vaccinated must reach everyone. #NoMoreZeroDose!

” I commend the efforts of the governments of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states in improving immunization in recent times but more needs to be done.

“Immunization activities and the health sector must be adequately funded, especially before and during polio vaccination campaigns.

” I urge that Local Government Chairmen to get actively engaged and support Immunization activities including their supervision of polio eradication efforts and their participation in Review meetings during vaccination campaigns to ensure every child is vaccinated in their respective Local Government Areas.

“UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government and collaborating with all partners and stakeholders in ensuring the health and well-being of children and women in the northwest and Nigeria,” Rahama said.

Among the dignitaries who attended the launching include the Kano State  Commissioner of Health, Kano State, and the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Immunization Task Force Committee, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf; the Director-General, Kano State Health Care Management Board, Dr Nasir Muhammad Mahmoud; the Managing Director of Kano Radio Corporation, Comrade Abubakar Adamu Rano; traditional and religious leaders; Social Media Influencers and members of the Kannywood industry.