By Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has flagged off the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDs), assuring the public of his administration’s zero tolerance for polio.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, at the State Specialist Hospital (Mother and Child Hospital) in Akure on Friday, the governor stated that the exercise aims to engender wider coverage of the Oral Polio Vaccination across the state.

He explained that although Nigeria was declared polio-free in August 2020, there has been wide circulation of the vaccine-derived virus, which has led to the continued spread of Polio Type 2 (cVDPV2), particularly in security-compromised areas and hard-to-reach settlements.

According to Aiyedatiwa, his administration has continuously supported the NIPDs and other Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs), noting that Ondo has consistently ranked among the best-performing states — not only in the South-West zone but also among the Non-High Risk (NHR) states nationwide.

He said, “This unquantifiable support is in line with our health policy, which mandates that Routine Immunisation (RI) activities in all our health facilities must be fortified — to improve not only the coverage of Oral Polio Vaccination in our state but also the delivery of all other antigens given as part of the Routine Immunisation schedule at birth, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, and 9 months after birth.

“The state government has ensured consistent funding of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency to stimulate the 18 Local Government Primary Healthcare Authorities towards fulfilling their responsibility of effectively curtailing vaccine-preventable diseases in the state — to reduce neonatal as well as under-one-year morbidity and mortality rates.

“Furthermore, I am aware that demand creation for Routine Immunisation among our people in the rural communities is regularly promoted through several strategic immunisation outreach sessions conducted by each of the 586 Primary Healthcare Facilities across the 18 LGAs of Ondo State.”

The governor assured continued support for routine immunisation and the protection of children under five, noting that the government has made massive investments to maintain the potency of vaccines at the state cold chain store.

While appreciating frontline health workers for their dedication to keeping children healthy and communities safe, he urged all stakeholders not to relent in their efforts to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu, stated that the exercise aims to ensure children are given life-saving vaccines to protect them against preventable killer diseases.

He revealed that the state ranks high in most immunisation activities in the country due to the unwavering support of Governor Aiyedatiwa.

The exercise, he stated, would involve health workers moving from house to house and visiting markets, churches, schools, and rural communities to reach every eligible child. He called for the cooperation of all parents, caregivers, and community leaders.

Speaking on behalf of partners, a representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Adebayo Ibrahim, noted that the event symbolised the shared commitment of partners to safeguarding the health of every Nigerian, particularly children.

He commended both Federal and State Governments, partners, healthcare workers, and communities for the remarkable progress made in the fight against polio and malaria, as well as in strengthening routine immunisation across the country.

Dr. Ibrahim said: “Despite Nigeria’s polio-free certification in 2020, there has been a resurgence of circulating Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus Type 2 (cVDPV2), which remains a serious public health threat. In 2024, Nigeria recorded 122 cVDPV2 cases, and as of week 15 of 2025, 21 cases have already been confirmed across nine states, adding, “Oyo State has also been affected, with a confirmed case in Ogbomoso North.”

He stressed the need to urgently interrupt cVDPV2 transmission nationwide and achieve a cVDPV2-free status by December 30, 2025.

“Stakeholders should sustain and scale up high-quality polio vaccination campaign. There must be increased domestic funding for immunisation and malaria control efforts.

“Governments should also integrate vaccination into essential health services, expand equitable access, strengthen primary healthcare, and ensure the availability of proven malaria interventions — including next-generation nets, chemoprevention, effective treatment, and vaccines,” he added.

He called for collaboration among stakeholders to secure the future of children in the country.

Also speaking, Zonal Coordinator, Zone IV, Rotary International, Rotn (Dr.) Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare, assured of the organisation’s commitment to eradicating polio and ensuring that no child is ever crippled or killed by the disease again.