Picture this: It’s early morning in Yamaltu-Deba, Gombe State. The sun is just peeking out, roosters are crowing, and instead of the usual quiet, there’s a vibrant buzz around the Kwadon Primary Health Centre. Mothers in bright wrappers are queueing with their little ones, fathers are looking proud and hopeful, and health workers—some in white, others wrapped in Rotary International vests—move from home to home, determined not to leave a single child behind. Omo, have you ever wondered what it truly takes to kick polio out of Nigeria once and for all?
The inside story is this: The war against polio is raging behind the scenes. According to officials, Rotary International, joining forces with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Gombe chapter, has rolled out an explosive community vaccination drive across 11 Local Government Areas. Their aim? Every eligible child in Gombe must be immunised—no exceptions, no excuses.
Gombe’s Massive Polio Vaccination Campaign: A Testimony To Community Spirit
E shock you? Over the years, Nigeria has faced relentless battles with polio outbreaks, but the determination this time around is unprecedented. The campaign, flagged off in conjunction with World Polio Day 2025, marks a turning point in Gombe’s polio eradication story. The opening ceremony in Yamaltu-Deba drew crowds: community leaders, religious clerics, and even local vigilantes all showed up to support the cause.
Health facilities and makeshift vaccination points sprang up everywhere—churches, mosques, market squares. Oga Ibrahim Aliyu, Immunisation Officer for Yamaltu-Deba, revealed, “We’re targeting about 120,000 children for vaccination within just 10 days. As of today, we’ve reportedly hit over 80% of that mark.” That’s more than 96,000 children protected against a crippling disease!
House-to-House: No Child Left Behind
Forget old school announcements alone; the team took it to the streets, literally. Volunteers, health officials, and community youth corps stood tireless under the Gombe sun, moving from compound to compound. According to Mrs. Zilfa Peter Guduba, Routine Immunisation Officer at Kwadon Primary Health Centre, the result was an “impressive improvement in turnout, thanks to awareness drives not just at the mosque and church, but also on the radio and social media.” These days, if you no hear the jingle for radio, you never start your morning well!
Gombe’s effort is a powerful example of grassroots public health action. The numbers speak for themselves: with over 114 vaccination centres across just one council, and at least 400 children brought in daily to be immunised at each centre according to Adamu Usman, Immunisation Recorder for the State Ministry of Health, the battle is fierce—and hopeful.
Why Polio Immunisation Still Matters in Nigeria
Some might ask, “Why all this energy again? Hasn’t Nigeria already been declared polio-free?” Well, according to the World Health Organization, Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020 (WHO News Release), but that status is fragile. Neighbouring countries and conflict zones occasionally witness fresh outbreaks. As long as one child is left unprotected, the risk lingers. Any backslide can be devastating for not just Gombe or Nigeria, but the whole of Africa.
- Polio is still considered a global public health emergency.
- Missed doses or gaps in community vaccination can lead to re-emergence.
- Children under five are most vulnerable, especially in hard-to-reach rural areas.
That’s why Mrs. Guduba warned, “No room for complacency. If we miss even one household, we risk undoing years of progress.”
Community, Local Government, and Tradition: United for a Cause
You know how Wahala no dey finish for Naija, but when the community stand up as one, nothing fit stop our progress. That’s the reality in Gombe right now. The collaboration between Rotary, ALGON, and the state government is changing the narrative. With local chiefs, ward heads, and women leaders all lending their voices, families who once resisted vaccinations—maybe due to rumours or fear—are now leading their children to vaccination sites.
Rotary International has a long history of supporting polio eradication in Nigeria (see their global campaign details on Rotary.org). According to Ibrahim Aliyu, “If not for the steadfast support and tireless advocacy from our partners, things no for easy. It’s because everybody dey involved—government, international bodies, our local volunteers—we’re seeing real impact.”
Overcoming the Challenges: Roadblocks and Triumphs
Let’s not pretend it’s all rosy. Gombe’s difficult terrain, combined with some pockets of vaccine hesitancy, occasionally threaten to derail the mission. Some families live in scattered hamlets only accessible by motorcycle or footpath. Heavy rains often wash out dirt roads, making transportation a nightmare. And yes, stories of misinformation (“dem say vaccine dey cause wahala,” as one parent claimed) still pop up.
But the commitment to transparency and consistent sensitisation efforts—radio programmes, door-to-door talks, testimonies from respected religious figures—has reportedly produced real change. According to Adamu Usman, “We’re seeing more open doors and fewer refusals compared to just two years ago. It’s proof that awareness works.”
What’s Next for Polio Eradication in Gombe and Nigeria?
All eyes are now on the momentum generated from World Polio Day 2025. According to experts, sustaining high coverage is the only way to crush polio for good. For other West African states facing similar insecurity or terrain challenges, Gombe’s model—based on unity, persistent outreach, and multi-sectoral partnership—offers a vital blueprint.
Public health observers say that if Gombe’s story continues to trend upwards, it could tip the scales for the entire region, making a polio-free Africa more than just a lofty dream. But, as Mrs. Guduba wisely puts it, “We must all remain vigilant. Routine immunisation is for life, not just for one day.”
What Can Everyday Nigerians Do?
- Spread the word in your community—debunk myths and advocate immunisation.
- Encourage friends and relatives to bring all eligible children for their doses.
- Support local campaigns as volunteers or donors, if possible.
- Contact the State Ministry of Health to clarify any concerns and stay informed.
Disease Eradication—A Nigerian Success Story in the Making
This is a call to all Nigerians: Let’s stay united in the fight for a polio-free Naija. Our children’s future depends on the decisions we make today. When we come together—mosque and church, city and village, young and old—no disease can stand in our path. Gombe’s story isn’t just about vaccination; it’s about hope, resilience, and the unbreakable Nigerian spirit.
What’s your take—do you think Gombe’s house-to-house strategy can work across Nigeria? Have you joined a vaccination drive or faced challenges convincing others? Drop your comments below and let’s keep this conversation going!
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