Rotary, ALGON Partner To Promote Polio Vaccination In Gombe

By Najib Sani, Gombe

As the world marks World Polio Day 2025, Rotary International in partnership with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe State chapter, has mobilised communities in the 11 local government areas of Gombe State to avail their children to be vaccinated against the disease.

Our correspondent who monitored the campaign in Yamaltu-Deba local government area, reports that there was massive turn out of parents with their children at health facilities and designated vaccination centres across the local government area.

While at Kwadon Primary Health Centre, the Routine Immunisation Officer in charge of the facility, Mrs Zilfa Peter Guduba praised the high level of community cooperation.

“Parents are cooperating. We have seen a noticeable improvement in turnout, thanks to awareness drives in mosques, churches and media,” she said.

In Deba, Immunisation Officer of Yamaltu-Deba local government, Ibrahim Aliyu, revealed that the vaccination team is targeting about 120,000 children within the 10 days of the exercise.

“So far, we have covered more than 80 % of our target. We have 114 vaccination centres across the council, and our officers are also moving house‑to‑house to ensure no child is left out,” he explained.

He thanked the state government, development partners, and Rotary for their support and relentless campaign.

According to him, the collaborative effort underscores Gombe’s commitment to eradicating polio and protecting its youngest citizens.

“With community leaders, health workers, ALGON, Rotary and volunteers all on board, the state is poised to make World Polio Day 2025 a resounding success”, he stated.

Immunisation Recorder with the Gombe State Ministry of Health, Adamu Usman, added that the turnout has been impressive, with at least 400 children vaccinated in each centre per day.