Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has warned that strict measures will be taken against parents who resist the ongoing polio vaccination campaign in the state.
The warning comes after the detection of three new polio cases in Warawa, Bunkure, and Nassarawa local government areas. Represented by his deputy, Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, the governor issued the caution during the flag-off ceremony of the first round of the 2025 polio vaccination campaign in Warawa.
Governor Yusuf noted that investigations revealed some families in the affected areas refused to present their children for immunisation, putting others at risk. He urged parents to cooperate, stressing that vaccination is not against religious beliefs, citing examples from countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
He thanked development partners for their support and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare in Kano.
Also speaking, the state commissioner of health, Dr. Labaran Yusuf, highlighted the challenge of immigrant influx and emphasized that every child in the state must be vaccinated. He announced that four rounds of vaccination are scheduled for 2025.
The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Mr. Micheal Banda, reiterated Nigeria’s importance in the global fight against polio, stressing that “just one case can spark an outbreak.” He assured UNICEF’s continued support for Kano’s polio eradication efforts.
