By Danhassan Abubakar
As the World marks the 2024 World Polio Day, World Health Organisation (WHO) have hailed the work of community mobilizers on Polio and other routine immunization, saying that the successes recorded in kicking the Wild Polio Virus out of Nigeria could not have been possible without their support in creating awareness on the dangers of Polio.
This was part of the goodwill message the WHO Coordinator in Bauchi, Dr Mustapha Mai’Iyali, gave on Thursday 24th October, 2024, shortly before embarking on an awareness Walk alongside other partners in Bauchi.
Mustapha Mai’Iyali said that the day should be seen as an avenue to raise more awareness so that families can allow their children to receive the vaccination in order to fortify their children against the scourge of Polio.
While appreciating the large turnout of the people that cane out to mark the day, Dr. Mai’iyali said, “all of you are polio Heroes. You are helping us to reach families, to mobilize families, to raise awareness and to increase the need for more support so that we can protect our children for a better future.”
“So, I call on all of us to please continue in mobilizing our families and our communities so that we can have more healthier children who can thrive to their full potential in life.
He explained that the occasion was also set aside to celebrate the survivors of poliomyelitis the world over in order to give them a sense of belonging.
The Bauchi WHO Coordinator also pointed out that, the essence of Polio day is a day to bring to light the devastating effects of the disease and to take action and spread the message of awareness.
Our correspondent reports that UNICEF, Rotary International Club, AFENET, NGOs, CSOs, Media, Community Mobilizers and Polio Survivors Association participated in the walk amidst drum beats and songs.