From Maiharaji Altine
The District Head of Gagi in Sokoto state, Alhaji Sani Umar Jabbi has commended the UNICEF for enlightening the public on the importance of immunization and vaccination for their children against child-killer diseases.
Speaking to journalists in an interactive session held at Gagi Primary Health Care center during the Media tour, the District Head said, the UNICEF’s intervention has greatly assisted in enlightening the public on the importance of vaccination for their children.
He disclosed that he was amongst the sceptics of immunization but by the power of sustainable sensitization by the UNICEF through the media he has now become an advocate of the programme.
He maintained that, as a result of the UNICEF’s Media campaign he was able to record tremendous successes in his domain.
“I was strongly opposing the immunization exercise carried out by the UNICEF because I was thinking that it had an ulterior motive, but through adequate awareness campaign, I come to understand that, it is for the well-being of our children”.
“I did not only accept the exercise but I am currently one of its advocates in my domain”.
“I use to go from house to house in order to properly enlighten my subjects on the importance of allowing their wives to go for antenatal care and also allow their children to be immunized”.
“As a leader, I take my children to health care center for immunization just to show my people that the vaccines are safe so that they could imitate me”.
“As I am speaking to you now, my domain has the highest number of immunized chicken and has also the highest number of pregnant women that deliver in the hospital”.
“Our Primary Health Care Center is the best in the state in terms of health facilities, as a result of this thousands of women both from within and outside the local government patronize the center for medical treatment and delivery”.
“We really recognize the huge investment done by the UNIICEF and we are looking forward for the Federal and the government to make more commitment in the protection of lives of our society”.
Alhaji Sanu Umar Jabbi also urged both the Federal and state governments to focus more attention in saving lives through support to the immunization and vaccination to checkmate the problem of zero dose in the society.
Jabbi explained that, it was high time for the government at various levels to commit resources and necessary requirements for the successful campaign on immunization and vaccination against killer diseases.
The monarch reminded the Federal and the state governments that the role being played by the UNICEF was just a complementary to what they should do to their people.
He stressed that, the lives of the children ought be protected through immunization and vaccination by the government.
“Let’s understand that, UNICEF and other International donors are only supporting the government in rendering health related services”.
Several women were present during the media tour to Gagi Primary Health Care Center where many of them expressed their minds on issues related to immunization and vaccination.
