The Kwara government says it targets vaccinating 1.2 million children against poliomyelitis during the 2026 mass immunisation campaign in the state.

The state has intensified campaigns across rural communities for the mass immunisation of all eligible children aged zero to 59 months.

It will be recalled that the state recorded two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant of Polio Virus Type 2 (CvPV2) in December 2025 in Kiama Local Government Area, and an additional case in January 2026.

Nusirat Elelu, the executive secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, who spoke at the flag-off of the immunisation campaign in Afon, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara, restated the resolve of the Kwara government to ensure the protection of every child from poliomyelitis.

She said that the state government, in collaboration with all development partners, had put in place all necessary life-saving strategies and immunisation efforts aimed at protecting children in the state.

She recalled that members of communities in Asa LGA in the past were uncooperative and vaccine-hesitant, “but massive progress has now been recorded in the communities as they are supporting government healthcare intervention.”

Ms Elelu appealed to traditional, community, and religious leaders to continue to support government intervention on immunisation so as to achieve zero polio status in the state.

The executive secretary also pledged the government’s commitment to continue to revamp and renovate primary healthcare centres (PHCs) and general hospitals across the state.

Also, Lukman Ahmed, the health officer of the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), said that due to the efforts of the Kwara Government, the state ranked second in the just concluded “Identifying, Enumeration and Micro Plan” exercise across the nation.

He explained that vaccination was of utmost importance in ensuring that Nigeria returns to the list of countries certified polio-free.

Mr Ahmed pointed out that with the commitment of all stakeholders, all children would be protected from the disease.

“UNICEF will continue to give all the support including technical assistance, monitoring, mobilisation and countering disinformation,” he said.

The Health Officer enjoined community leaders to support the immunisation exercise across all LGAs in the state.

In his address, the chairman of Asa LGA, Shehu Amasa, appealed to all residents in communities in the LGA to support the vaccination exercise to protect children from the killer disease.

“We must not deviate from world class standard practice in administration of the vaccine and other drugs.

“Our healthcare officials must show high level of depth, commitment, perseverance and resilience in the discharge of their responsibilities to the people,” he said.

The District Head of Afon, Kolapo Hannafi, pledged to ensure all children in the community get immunised.

He also commended the state government for the life-saving intervention. 

(NAN)