The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and members of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central on Friday organized a walk to raise awareness about polio and commemorate World Polio Day 2025.
Participants included Polio Survivors Groups (PSG), Parents for Good Health (F4H), Mama2Mama, U-Reporters, volunteers and other community advocates.
The procession proceeded through the busy streets of Bakaro, Karofi and Kofar Dumi before ending at the Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Center amidst musical fanfare, drums and trumpets to draw the attention of the general public to the polio-free status of Nigeria.
Among the participants in the walk were polio victims who were in wheelchairs, while others walked with crutches to highlight the negative effects of not allowing children under five years of age to be vaccinated against polio and of the current vaccination campaign against measles and rubella.
At the end of the 4 kilometer walk, both UNICEF and the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central reaffirmed their joint commitment to maintaining Nigeria’s polio-free status through renewed collaboration with government and community stakeholders.
At an event held in Bauchi on Friday to mark World Polio Day, Dr Panchanan Achari, UNICEF Global Special Director for Behavior Change and Head of Global Polio Outbreak Response, said the organization remains focused on ensuring that all children, regardless of their location, have access to life-saving vaccines.
According to him, the theme of the 2025 celebration, “Ending Polio: Every Child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere,” reflects the global call to action to protect all children from preventable diseases.
Dr. Achari praised Nigeria’s progress in eradicating wild poliovirus, but stressed that collective action must continue until full eradication is achieved.
“We are closer than ever to ending polio, but we must not give in. We must reach all children, especially those in hard-to-reach communities,” he said.
He also noted that vaccination not only prevents polio but also strengthens health systems, contributes to the resilience of communities and helps combat other preventable diseases.
He called for greater investment in primary health care and the integration of services such as nutrition, maternal health and sanitation to ensure comprehensive child well-being.
“UNICEF will continue to work with the Nigerian government, Rotary International, WHO and community leaders to build confidence in vaccines and counter misinformation. The last mile is always the hardest, but also the most important,” said Dr. Achari.
In his address, the President of the Rotary Club of Bauchi Central, Adeyemi Adekunle, said Rotary International remains committed to ending polio and maintaining a healthy future for children.
According to him, “World Polio Day is not just a time to celebrate progress; it is a time to renew our resolve. Polio survivors remind us what is at stake. Their resilience inspires us to keep polio zero.”
He recalled the Rotary Club’s historic contribution to the global eradication of polio since its inception in 1905, and described the organization as a key driver of community health initiatives around the world.
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Rotary, he said, continues to mobilize resources and volunteers to support immunization campaigns, community education and healthcare outreach in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.
Adeyemi Adekunle added: “Rotary will continue to work hand in hand with our partners to ensure that no child is left behind. The fight against polio has brought the world together before and must continue to bring us together until the job is done.”
Both UNICEF and Rotary reaffirmed that sustained commitment, innovation and collaboration at all levels, from global organizations to local community groups, are critical to achieving a polio-free world.
In an interview, one of the polio survivors, Dahiru Abdullahi, thanked UNICEF and Rotary International for their care and support. He added that polio is real and urged people not to discriminate against survivors but to include them in all government programs.
He also called on citizens to accept the polio vaccine to help reduce the spread of the disease in society.