By Haruna Yusuf
Dr Abubakar Yakubu, Executive Directortator, Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), has solicited the support of the traditional rulers and other stakeholders for effective polio vaccination in the state.
He made the call when he paid advocacy visit to the Attah of Igala,Dr Michael Idakwo, Ameh-Oboni 11 at his palace in Idah, Idah Local Government Area of the state.
Yakubu commendedthe role of the traditional rulers in ensuring that people were well sensitised to participate in all routine immunisations in the state.
Yakubu noted that they were in the palace in respect of the Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV) which kicked srarted on Tuesday Jan. 21 to 26 in the nine local government areas (LGAs) of Kogi East.
”This is another opportunity for us to put a final nail to the coffin of polio in Kogi, and we want everybody to be involved.
”We have had series of advocacy visits to the stakeholders for support on the ongoing campaign on FIPV, to be carried out in nine Local Government Areas of Kogi East.
”It is very important for us to see his royal majesty, to see that this exercise enjoys atmosphere of his goodwill and to seek his support, so that the people can be vaccinated.
‘He described the visit ad part of the efforts the agency put in place to kick out poliomyelitis out of the state completely.
He noted that similar campaign was carried out in July, August, September and October 2019, response against polio.
He said that the agency had also visited the Commissionerbof Police in the state to ensure security beefing around the officials charged with the responsibility of carrying out the vaccine against the disease.
Responding, the Attah commended the agency and the dtate government for ensuring polio eradication in the state.
The Attah was represented by Alhaji Adama Sule, the Secretary of Igala Area Traditional Council.
The monarch,who said he had partnered to ensure the success of all the healthcare programmes in the state, lauded donor agencies for contributing to the success of the programme.
”He promised continued support to sensitisation of members of the traditional council in the area and send messages across the nooks and crannies of Kogi for the success of the programme.
‘We pray that polio would be kicked out finally in Kogi State,” the traditional ruler said.
The team also paid visit to the Onu of Ibaji, Chief John Egwemi, Oyinedega in Ibaji Locsl Government Area of the state.
”I am very delighted to see you, because it is very embarrassing that after all the efforts to kick polio out, polio is still found in Igala land in Ibaji.
”Our efforts now is to ensure that it is finally kicked out as planned by the entire world.
Egwemi gave kudos to the agency for its efforts during the flood season for taking the pain to come to his people, even on canoe, in spite the difficult terrain.
”I am happy because it is well programmed and that you are taking trouble to reach out to us.
”From what I have seen now and what I have heard before, I know it is a serious programme to kick polio out of Igala land, Kogi State, Nigeria and the world at large,” the monarch said.
Earlier, Alhaji Yusuf Acheku, Kogi State Health Educator, said that the team had embarked on pre-social mobilisation activities for the ongoing FIPV, to ensure that people were adequately informed.
He commended the executive director for the creating the enabling environment, to ensure that adequate sensitisation was carried out for the FIPV programme.
