The Kwara Government says it targets to vaccinate 1.2 million children against poliomyelitis during the 2026 mass immunisation campaign in the state.
The state has intensified campaign across Kwara rural communities for mass immunisation of all eligible children from zero to 59 months old.
It will be recalled that the state recorded two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant of Polio Virus 2 (CvPv 2) in December 2025, in Kiama Local Government area and an additional case in January 2026.
Prof. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency who, spoke at the Flag-off of the Immunization Campaign in Afon, Asa Local Government Area of Kwara, restated the resolve of Kwara Government to ensure 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 immunization aimed at protecting the children in 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.”
Elelu appealed to traditional, community and religious leaders to continue to support government intervention on immunisation so as to achieve zero status of polio in the state.
The executive secretary also pledged government’s efforts to continue to revamp and renovate Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and General Hospital across the State.
Also, Dr 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 scored second in the just concluded “Identifying, Enumeration and Micro Plan” across the nation.
He explained that vaccination was of utmost importance in the country in ensuring that Nigeria gets back to be among the number of countries certified polio-free.
Danlami pointed out that with commitment of all stakeholders, all children would be protected from the diseases.
“UNICEF will continue to give all the support including technical assistance, monitoring, mobilisation and countering disinformation,” he said.
The Health Officer enjoined the community leaders to support the immunisation exercise across all the LGAs in the state.
In his address, the Chairman of Asa LGA, Alhaji Shehu Amasa appealed to all residents in communities in the LGA to support the vaccination exercise to prevent 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, Alhaji Kolapo
Hannafi pledged to ensure all children in the community get immunised.
He also commended the State government for the life saving intervention.
