NEWISSUES
By Ankelli Emmanuel
Polio: Sokoto, UNICEF Launch Song, Advocates For Collective Efforts
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
As the world Observes Polio Day, the Sokoto state government with support from United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has officially launched a song aimed at strengthening the advocacy for routine immunization.
The song titled, “No More Zero Dose”, brought 12 celebrities 8 whom are UNICEF Champions on the same page, with the simple striking message of every child deserves vaccination.
Addressing the crowd at the Maigero Theatre Sokoto, venue of the song launch, the acting Chief of Sokoto UNICEF Field Office, Dr. Shamina Sharmin, thanked the state for their continued support to issues of children.
Dr Shamina who is also the Health Manager, UNICEF Field Office Sokoto, further appealed for wider circulation of the newly launch, “No More Zero Dose” song to help children get vaccinate against preventable diseases, polio inclusive.
Speaking on her part, Sokoto state Commissioner of health, Asabe Balarabe divulged that the state governor, Ahmed Aliyu had given them a marching orders to ensure consistent vaccination that would make Sokoto completely polio free.
Asabe who appreciated UNICEF for their continued commitment to children health and wellbeing globally, further appealed to polio vaccine non compliant parents to consider the future of their wards above any consideration.
Backing the call of the Commissioner, Sokoto state Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed
appealed to the media to take polio as a fight to finish.
“”We in the media meant our words and we must put all necessary strategies in motion to ensure that the desired no more zero dose is achieved.
“And the Sokoto state ministry of information is ready to pass the newly launched polio song, “No More Zero Dose”, through various media platforms to all the nooks and crannies of the state and thus ensure effective mobilisation of parents to bring forth their wards for immunization”, Ibrahim assured.
Giving her closing remarks in the event that featured entertainment from polio survivors and Sokoto state Cultural Troupe, the Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Larai Tambuwal said 24th October 2024 is yet another day that the world has dedicated to commemorating the world polio day.
While reemphasizing how dangerous polio is, Dr Larai said of the 116 countries affected with the polio disease before, it's only Nigeria, Afghanistan and Afghanistan that are still suffering from the disease.
“”We still have children in Sokoto between the ages of 0 to 5 that has never taken any dose of the vaccine, hence the resolve by the government to support development partners in ending the menace of polio.
“And, polio if contacted, it has no cure hence the need to embrace vaccination to avoid being survivor”, Dr Larai appealed.
It will be recalled that the newly launched polio song, “”No More Zero Dose”, featured 8 celebrated celebrities from Nigeria, who are also UNICEF Ambassadors, namely, Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Swkouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo and WAJE and 4 others from the affected countries sending sober appeal on why every child must be vaccinated to protect them from those preventable diseases.
