BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
Sokoto State Government with support from United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) have officially launched a song aimed at strengthening the advocacy for routine immunization.
The powerful song, ‘No More Zero Dose’, unites 12 top musicians from the region, including 8 UNICEF champions from Nigeria, to advocate for a crucial cause. Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, and WAJE join forces with Swkouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, and Timi Dakolo to spread a vital message: every child deserves protection through vaccination.
The song sheds light on the urgent need to reach ‘zero-dose children’ – those who have not received any vaccinations – and safeguard them from preventable childhood diseases like polio, measles, and more. By raising awareness and promoting action, the song aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of children across the region.”
Addressing the crowd at the Maigero Theatre Sokoto, venue of the song launch, the acting Chief of Sokoto UNICEF Field Office, Dr. Shamina Sharmin, thanked the state for their continued support to issues of children.
Dr Shamina who is also the Health Manager, UNICEF Field Office Sokoto, further, appealed for wider circulation of the newly launch, “No More Zero Dose” song to help children get vaccinate against preventable diseases, polio inclusive.
Speaking on her part, Sokoto state Commissioner of Health, Asabe Balarabe, said Governor Ahmed Aliyu had given them a marching orders to ensure consistent vaccination that would make Sokoto completely polio free.
Asabe who appreciated UNICEF for their continued commitment to children health and wellbeing globally, further appealed to polio vaccine non compliant parents to consider the future of their wards above any consideration.
Backing the call of the Commissioner, Sokoto State Minister of Information Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Mohammed, appealed to the media to take polio as a fight to finish.
“”We in the media meant our words and we must put all necessary strategies in motion to ensure that the desired no more zero dose is achieved.
“And the Sokoto state ministry of information is ready to pass the newly launched polio song, “No More Zero Dose”, through various media platforms to all the nooks and crannies of the state and thus ensure effective mobilisation of parents to bring forth their wards for immunization”, Ibrahim assured.
Giving her closing remarks in the event that featured entertainment from polio survivors and Sokoto state Cultural Troupe, the Executive Secretary, Sokoto State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Larai Tambuwal said 24th October 2024 is yet another day that the world has dedicated to commemorating the world polio day.
While reemphasizing how dangerous polio is, Dr Larai said of the 116 countries affected with the polio disease before, it’s only Nigeria, Afghanistan and Afghanistan that are still suffering from the disease.
“We still have children in Sokoto between the ages of 0 to 5 that has never taken any dose of the vaccine, hence the resolve by the government to support development partners in ending the menace of polio.
“And, polio if contacted, it has no cure hence the need to embrace vaccination to avoid being survivor”, Dr Larai appealed.
