From Kamilu Lawal, Katsina.
As the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), joined Katsina People in celebration of 2025 Worl Polio Day, wife of the Governor, Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Umar Radda says the successes recorded in the elimination of polio in the state will not have been possible without the effective contribution of various stakeholders in the fight against the crippling disease.
Zulaihat Radda made this acknowledgement during the celebration of World Polio Day 2025 held at banquete hall, Katsina Government House.
“Today, as the world observe World Polio Day, we are reminded that our shared fight against this crippling diseases is still a pressing reality for many communities in Nigeria and especially here in Katsina.
“We have indeed come a long way, in 2020, Nigeria achieved a milestone by being declared free of the wild polio virus. This historic victory of certification by the World Health Organisation (WHO) was celebrated by the entire African region.
” These victorias were not accidental, they were the resuilt of collective and concerted efforts and commitments of all stakeholders which include the government, the traditional institutions, the development partners and the extra ordinary courage of frontline health workers and communities and care givers who never give up”, Zulaihat said.
She commended the traditional institutions for their role in countering misinformation which helped to overcome non compliance of the exercise.
She equally appreciated the vital role played by other government agencias, civil societies and partners, acknowledging the political will of the Federal government and the state toward achieving meaningful coverage of polio immunisation over the years.
The governor’s wife also urged parents and health workers to sustain the landmark eradication of polio in Nigeria.
She also revealed that, her foundation, Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHIN) in collaboration with partners had been working to ensure better life for children and mothers across the state.
The chief of UNICEF, Kano field office, Mr. Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah represented by Fatima Adamu, a UNICEF child protection especialist reiterated the commitment of UNICEF to continue to play its role as member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
and to support the Government to eradicate polio in Nigeria
“It is a profound honour for UNICEF to stand with you today on World Polio Day 2025, here in Katsina State, to reaffirm our commitment to a future free from polio for every child.
” On behalf of UNICEF, I congratulate Her Excellency, the First Lady of Katsina State; His Excellency the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, and the good people of Katsina State for organizing this Town Hall meeting as Kasina State joins the global community to commemorate the 2025 World Polio Day”. Mr. Farah stated.
The Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua similarly lauded the efforts of Governor Dikko Radda, his wife Zulaihat Dikko Radda, national and international partners for their individual and collective support for the fight to end polio in Katsina State.
Highlight of the event was a group picture between stakeholders and polio survivors stressing the need for immunization.
Similarly active stakeholders including the wives of the 34 local government Chairman and all those who made various contributions to the eradication of polio in the state were present at the event.
