World Polio Day: Bauchi First Lady Urges Vaccination as UNICEF, Rotary Renew Eradication Call

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Hajia Aisha Bala Mohammed, wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are vaccinated against polio to protect them from the devastating effects of the disease

The governor’s wife, who was represented by Hajia Talatu Musa, Permanent Secretary, Bauchi State Ministry for Women Affairs and Child Development, gave the charge on Saturday during an event to commemorate the 2026 World Polio Day, held at Government House, Bauchi. 

Polio Survivors in Bauchi during the 2026 World Polio Day marked every October 24

The event was organised by the Bauchi State Governemnt in collaborarion  with Rotary Bauchi District 9127 with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office.

The Bauchi State First Lady, used the event to honour polio survivors for their courage and resilience , saying their presence serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of the disease and the importance of preventing other children from experiencing similar challenges.

“I wish to specially recognise and celebrate our polio survivors who are part of this gathering,” the First Lady  stated.

“Your presence reminds us of the devastating effects of polio and the importance of preventing other children from experiencing similar challenges.

“You are valued members of our society, and your courage, resilience and determination deserve our respect and admiration.

“We must continue to promote inclusion, protect your rights and ensure that persons living with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate fully in society.”

According to the First Lady, the commemoration was a reminder that collective efforts must continue until polio is completely eradicated.

“It is also an opportunity to renew our commitment to ensuring that every eligible child receives life-saving vaccines, regardless of where they live or their family’s circumstances,” she said.

She said government efforts alone could not achieve total polio eradication, urging parents to ensure that eligible children were vaccinated.

“Every community must support immunisation teams, and every stakeholder must help dispel rumours and misinformation about vaccines.

“Let us remember that every child vaccinated brings us closer to a polio-free Bauchi State and a polio-free world.

“As a government, Bauchi State remains committed to strengthening routine immunization, supporting supplementary immunization campaigns, and improving access to quality primary healthcare services.

“Under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, our administration continues to prioritize maternal, newborn and child health, recognizing that healthy mothers and children are essential to the development and prosperity of our state.

“We will continue to support healthcare workers, strengthen service delivery at our primary healthcare facilities and encourage parents and caregivers to ensure that their children receive all recommended vaccines at the appropriate time. We also recognize that immunization must go hand in hand with quality antenatal care, safe delivery, proper nutrition, breastfeeding, and access to essential healthcare services for mothers and children.

I commend the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board and our dedicated health workers for their tireless efforts in reaching communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas. 

“I equally appreciate our traditional and religious leaders, community volunteers, women’s groups, and the media for helping to address misconceptions and promote confidence in immunization.

“I extend our sincere appreciation to our development partners, particularly UNICEF, Rotary International and the World Health Organization (WHO), for their continued technical, financial and advocacy support towards polio eradication and the strengthening of primary healthcare services. Your partnership with the government and our communities remains invaluable in protecting the health and future of our children.

In his remarks, Patrick Akor, Health Officer at the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said polio was a highly infectious viral disease that could cause permanent paralysis or death, particularly in children under five.

Akor said safe and effective vaccination prevented polio and protected vaccinated children from its devastating effects.

“Vaccination has saved millions of lives and brought the world closer to ending polio,” the UNICEF health officer stated.

“Yet outbreaks, conflicts, weak health systems, immunisation gaps, misinformation and inadequate funding threaten these gains.

“Until polio is eradicated everywhere, children everywhere remain at risk.”

Akor called for the strengthening of routine immunisation and vaccination campaigns to ensure that every eligible child received life-saving vaccines, with particular attention to zero-dose children and underserved communities.

“We also recognise frontline health workers, vaccinators, volunteers, community mobilisers and partners whose dedication helps reach every child, often in difficult conditions,” he stated.

In her remarks, Dr Comfort Attah, President of Rotary Club Bauchi Central, District 9127, said that although the world had made remarkable progress towards polio eradication, outbreaks and transmission persisted in some areas.

“Through the extraordinary leadership of Rotary International and the strength of global partnerships, polio cases have declined by more than 99.9 per cent since the global eradication initiative began,” Attah disclosed.

She said the achievement demonstrated what was possible when governments, communities, health workers and development partners worked together towards a common goal.

Attah called for the strengthening of immunisation, disease surveillance, community awareness and outbreak response to ensure that no child was left behind.

She urged all stakeholders to become active champions in the fight against polio and encourage parents to ensure that every eligible child received the recommended polio vaccines.

“Let us confront misinformation with accurate information, build community trust and support immunisation teams in reaching underserved populations,” she stated.

Attah thanked UNICEF, the Bauchi State Government and other partners for their contributions towards sustaining efforts to eradicate polio.

The highlight of the event was a Road Walk organized by the Bauchi State Governemnt in collaborarion  with Rotary Bauchi District 9127 with support from  UNICEF Bauchi Office Field Office and drew participants and representatives from, the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, Rotarians, Rotaractors, polio survivors, development partners and the media practitioners from the Emir’s Palace in Bauchi to Government House to raise awareness about polio prevention and eradication.