Two prominent traditional rulers in Niger State, the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Muhammadu Bara Muazu II, and the Emir of Kagara, Mallam Ahmed Garba Gunna Attahiru II, have pledged to mobilise their communities for the upcoming measles and rubella vaccination campaign.
The commitment was made during the launch of an advocacy and sensitisation exercise organised by the Niger State Ministry of Primary Health Care.
Both emirs assured that they will actively sensitise parents and guardians on the importance of immunisation while encouraging them to ensure their children are vaccinated.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Mohammed Gana, explained that the campaign—supported by the World Bank—targets the immunisation of children against measles, rubella, and polio. He described the programme as part of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s administration’s proactive public health measures.
The Project Manager of the IMPACT campaign, Hamza Tijani, emphasised that comprehensive immunisation remains key to reducing illness and deaths associated with vaccine-preventable diseases.
Also, health experts Dr Junaidu Innuwa and Dr Hauwa Nnatako stressed the seriousness of measles and rubella, while assuring parents that the vaccines will be administered free of charge to all eligible children.
