By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has lamented that Plateau State has Five LGAs that are highly risk for Polio having a disturbing number of Zero dose children U-5.
The assertion was made by the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique when She paid an advocacy visit to the Gbong Gwom of Jos, Da Jacob Buba in his palace in Jos.
She stressed that it is a development that must be corrected with the next rounds of Polio immunization campaign exercise taking place between 24th and 30th of April, 2025.
Nuzhat Rafique stated that, “I am not very old here in Nigeria, I am only about 5 to 6 months now, but I feel honoured to work here in Bauchi Field Office of the UNICEF.”
According to her, “Today I am here on an advocacy visit for a very important event but first, let me drop my sincere condolences over the lives lost most recently in the state.”
“As you know, UNICEF is always working for the rights of the children, here I am humbly requesting that we take care of the children who have been affected by the unfortunate event and UNICEF is always ready to assist the Government with technical support for the good of the people of the state,” She added.
Nuzhat Rafique stated further that,”I will like to appreciate Your Majesty for effective and excellent leadership and the Governor of the state for good leadership of the Citizens. As well as the leaders that are committed to the good of the children in Plateau State.”
The CFO added that,”We are basically here for the forthcoming Polio campaign from 24th to 30th of April. This is to emphasise that this is the last year and opportunity for Nigeria to eradicate Polio.”
She stressed that, “It is very very significant for us that every child is immunized during this campaign for Polio because the eyes of the whole world are now on Nigeria, this is one of the country that has to make efforts towards eradicating Polio.”
She expressed optimism that,”By the grace of God, I am really hopeful that we will get it right, that is my request and especially in Plateau State, we have some high risk Polio LGAs especially Jos North, Jos South, Shendam, Quan Pan and Wase.”
“We need your leadership, we need the commitment of every individual in order to reach the unreah children who have never been vaccinated before,” She concluded.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, told the Royal Father that, “She is here with other management staff of UNICEF on an advocacy visit in preparation for a very important event coming up that concerns health of the citizens of the State.”
According to him, “We have 5 LGAs in the state that are hard hit by the Polio virus and you know that all attention are on Nigeria because this is of the only three countries that are left for Polio to be completely eradicated in the world.”
He stressed that, “So, we have a big responsibility, one of the things we are trying to say is that you, as the head of the traditional institutions in the State, we are soliciting for mobilization of the traditional rulers so that we can actively participate in the upcoming programme, so that at the end of it all, our children would have been reached, immunization would have gone very far.”
The Commissioner added that, “Because some of the LGAs mentioned have zero doses, which means, there are so many children that have never taken a dose of the vaccine and it is not very good.”
He assured that, “We are going to join hands together with the traditional institutions, the other stakeholders that are also involved are the Councils Chairpersons, when the campaign kicks off, we coming to you again so that you will be with us, if possible demonstrating.”
“Because there are a lot of cultural differences that a lot of people try to shy away from immunization, but when they see prominent people like you taking the lead, they will oblige,” he added.
He concluded saying, “We thank UNICEF for providing the vaccines that will be administered and the resources they are bringing to ensure that the campaign was total.”
Also speaking, UNICEF Health Officer, Dr Oluseyi Olusunde, disclosed that, “Nigeria is not the only country, there are 3 countries in the world now, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.”
He added that, “But if you remember, 3 years ago, Nigeria was declared free but after that declaration, there have been so many outbreaks, the last one was in Yobe State and a local government bordering Gombe and Bauchi. It is so bad that just one case is bad enough.”
In his remarks, the Gbong Gwom,Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba said that,”We sincerely welcome you and your team to Plateau State and let me congratulate you for your coming to Nigeria. The support too.”
The traditional ruler added that, “We want to sincerely appreciate you for commiserating with us over the very unfortunate acts of man inhumanity to man, we pray that God in His infinite mercy will take control and that sanity will reign.”
According to him, “When we see some of you leaving your own countries to come and do advocacy in our own country, we appreciate the fact that God created us all humans and that you recognize any other human beings that God created.”
He added that, “We thank you for leaving your dear country and come here to work so that we can all enjoy the benefits of health. Let me inform you that we already have one of our traditional rulers who is representing us in the Taskforce Committee on Primary Healthcare all over Northern Nigeria. He is away now, but as soon as he comes back, I will call you with the Commissioner maybe you put heads together.”
The Gbong Gwom declared that,”It is very unfortunate that Plateau is one of Polio high risk states in the country but I assure you that we will overcome the situation by working with all of you accordingly.”
