Niger State Planning Commission, UNICEF, WHO uses football to promote immunisation awareness

Niger State Planning Commission, UNICEF, WHO uses football to promote immunisation awareness

Niger State Ministry of Planning Commission with support from UNICEF and WHO, has organised an inter-ward football competition to promote immunisation awareness in communities with low coverage.

The football competition which was held at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna involves 48 wards from six local government areas with low immunisation coverage.

The local government areas with low immunisation coverage are Tafa, Suleja, Chanchaga, Bosso, Borgu and Mashegu.

The Director of Economic Corperation and Development, Niger State Ministry of Planning Commission, Malam Yuhuza Abdullahi, emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting health initiatives.

“The state government is allocating necessary resources to drive the state forward and ensure our people’s comfort and well-being,” he said.

He said the initiative aimed to leverage the popularity of football to educate communities on the importance of immunisation, antenatal care for pregnant women, child protection and nutrition.

Abdullahi disclosed that the eight wards were selected from each of the six local government areas due to their low immunisation coverage rates.

Abdullahi noted that by engaging youths in football was to inspire them to champion health causes in their communities.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Primary Healthcare in Niger State, Dr Ibrahim Dangana, said the football competition was part of activities to commemorate World Polio Day.

He said part of activities to commemorate the world polio the inauguration of integrated measles immunisation of children under five years across primary healthcare facilities in the state.

“Nigeria achieved polio-free status in August 2020, thanks to dedicated healthcare workers.

“As long as one person harbors the wild poliovirus, global eradication remains elusive,” he said.

He said to achieve effective immunisation requires collective action from mothers, caregivers, fathers and community leaders in promoting vaccine awareness and uptake.