Rotary International, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, held a massive street sensitisation campaign in Lokoja to mark the 2025 World Polio Day, with a renewed call to sustain immunisation efforts across the state.
Speaking during the rally themed “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere,” the Kogi State Rotary Polio Representative, Dr. Sam Alhassan, reaffirmed Nigeria’s remarkable progress in eradicating polio but warned against complacency.
He said the continued success of vaccination campaigns remains critical to keeping the disease at zero level. “The polio vaccination is very safe and remains the only protection for our children. We must not let our guard down; every parent should ensure their child is vaccinated,” he said.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the World Health Organisation in Lokoja, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, stressed the importance of sustained collaboration among international partners, government agencies, and community leaders in achieving a polio-free world.
He explained that WHO, Rotary International, and UNICEF are committed to ensuring vaccination reaches every child, regardless of location. “Our work goes beyond one day of awareness, it is a continuous effort to ensure no child is left behind,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr. Francis Akpa, Director of Public Health at the Kogi State Ministry of Health, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his support to the health sector.
He revealed that the World Health Organisation has established environmental surveillance teams to monitor water systems in major cities for early detection of any trace of the poliovirus, describing it as a vital step in preventing re-emergence.
President of the Rotary Club of Lokoja Metro, Rotarian Boniface Haruna, said the campaign represents Rotary’s enduring commitment to global health.
“Even with polio almost eradicated, these sensitisation drives continue because we want to guarantee that future generations never experience this crippling disease again,” he stated.
