By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, Bauchi Field Office, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, has commemorated the 2025 World Polio Day with an awareness walk aimed at reinforcing public commitment to routine immunization and sustaining Nigeria’s polio-free status.
The colorful walk, which commenced at the Bauchi Emir’s Palace, attracted a large turnout of participants clad in branded T-shirts bearing advocacy messages encouraging parents and caregivers to continue immunizing their children.
Participants included Polio Survivors Groups (PSGs), Fathers for Good Health (F4H), Mama2Mama, U-Reporters, volunteers, and other community-based advocates. The procession moved through the busy streets of Bakaro, Karofi, and Kofar Dumi before terminating at the Bayan Fada Primary Healthcare Centre amid musical fanfare, drumming, and trumpeting.
Delivering a goodwill message, Mr. Pachanan Achari, UNICEF’s Social and Behavioural Change Manager for Polio Outbreak Countries, commended the dedication of government officials, health workers, caregivers, and partners for their steadfast efforts in keeping Nigeria polio-free.
He urged all stakeholders to sustain the gains achieved so far by ensuring that no child is left unvaccinated—particularly those in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
“Let us amplify the message that vaccines are safe, effective, and essential for every child,” Achari said. “Every dose not only prevents polio but strengthens our health systems and protects children from other preventable diseases. We have made remarkable progress here in Bauchi and across Nigeria, but this is the time to accelerate, not retreat.”
Achari further called on governments and partners to prioritize polio eradication and strengthen primary healthcare systems to deliver integrated child health services.
There were additional goodwill messages from the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central.
This year’s World Polio Day is themed “End Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere,” underscoring the global call to ensure that no child, regardless of location, is left unprotected.
