Polio: Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, others in “No More Zero-Dose” music campaign in N/East

According to her, with a version of the song in Hausa, voiced by respected thespian, Ali Nuhu, UNICEF believes that  the song will boost vaccination rates in the Northeast region and become a popular anthem…..

By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri.

As part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Polio Day, Popular  Nigerian movie star, Ali Nuhu led music legends including Kate Henshaw, Spyro, Timi Dakolo, Waje, Cobhams, Omawumi, Qing Madi, and Master Soumy in a song titled “No More Zero-Dose used as  campaign to boost vaccination rates in North East.

The music album which was officially launched on Thursday at the UNICEF Maiduguri Office also has a version in Hausa that was voiced by Ali Nuhu.

During the album lunch, the UNICEF Chief of Maiduguri Field Office, Dr Gerida Birukila said the song highlights the need to protect children and boost vaccination rates in the region.

“As we commemorate the Word Polio  Day today, it is an opportunity to reiterate the importance of routine immunization to the wellbeing of children. UNICEF has collaborated with Nigerian and International superstars to produce a song underscoring the neccesity of immunization for new Borns and under-five children against childhood diseases Including polio, measles, tetanus and other life-threatening diseases” she said.

According to her, with a version of the song in Hausa, voiced by respected thespian, Ali Nuhu, UNICEF believes that  the song will boost vaccination rates in the Northeast region and become a popular anthem.

She said “while Borno state recorded 28.5 per cent of fully vaccinated children with basic antigens, 21.2 percent of children have reported to have no vaccination according to NDHS  2023 data. We need atleast 85percent of children to be vaccinated, but now, we have just around 28 percent who are fully immunised in Borno state

The UNICEF boss listed the zero-dose local government areas in Borno to include MMC, Mafa, Konduga, Jere, Gubio, Monguno, Ngala and Damboa 

However, Birukila that UNICEF has been providing advocacy support to the government for increased funding for health and Immunisation activities

In her words  “we have worked with the government and partners for targeted Zero-Dose intervention which is ongoing across prioritised local government

“We have facilitated community engagement with both traditional and religious institutions and ensured availability of vaccines across all 27 Local Government Areas of the state with no stock out recorded at the LGA level for all vaccine. she added.