Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has declared immunization a non-negotiable responsibility, urging residents to treat it as an urgent duty to protect every child and safeguard communities from preventable diseases.
Speaking through the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Muhammad Bagana, at the flag-off of the 2026 World and African Immunization Week at the Primary Health Care Centre along Peter Sarki Road, Tunga, the governor described the event as a decisive call to action rather than a routine ceremony.
“Behind every vaccination is a life protected and a future secured,” he stated, aligning with this year’s theme, “For Every Generation, Vaccines Work.”
Bago underscored the proven impact of vaccines globally, noting that they have saved millions of lives, eradicated smallpox, and pushed polio to the brink of extinction.
He stressed that these milestones represent real human stories—children who survived, families kept intact, and communities spared needless suffering.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, the governor said all 25 local government areas are fully mobilised for the exercise, assuring residents that vaccines are free, safe, and effective.
He charged parents and caregivers to ensure that no child misses out on routine immunization.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Chanchaga Local Government and former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mustapha Jibril, challenged community leaders to confront misinformation head-on and drive acceptance at the grassroots level.
He stressed that achieving the state’s target of vaccinating over 80 percent of children will require sustained efforts by the Ministry of Health and its development partners, particularly in reaching hard-to-access communities.
Dismissing widespread myths about vaccines, Jibril pledged that all 25 local government chairmen would align with the state’s health agenda to ensure every eligible child is immunized.
Delivering a goodwill message, UNICEF’s Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Team Lead, Grace Odeyemi, reiterated that vaccines remain one of the most effective tools in preventing childhood diseases.
She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting Niger State in identifying and reaching zero-dose children.
Voices from the community further highlighted the impact of immunization. An expectant mother, Aisha Isa, called on women to prioritise vaccination, noting that consistent antenatal care has provided her with guidance and confidence throughout her pregnancy.
A nursing mother, Katumi Aliyu, also shared her experience of regular clinic visits, describing how continuous medical support has strengthened her trust in the healthcare system.
