By Bala Dan-Akali

The June 2025 flag-off of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) campaign in Nasarawa State, launched by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NAPHDA) at the palace of the Aren Eggon in Nasarawa Eggon, last June was far more than a ceremonial event. It marked a decisive and aggressive step toward preventive healthcare, particularly for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

The campaign’s launch brought together key health leaders, including Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh, Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Commissioner for Health. Their presence was not merely symbolic, it reflected the deep commitment of the state government under the leadership of His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, to safeguarding the health of every child in the state.

In a world still reeling from pandemics and outbreaks of preventable diseases, NAPHDA’s proactive and community-driven approach to immunization was both commendable and worthy of replication across the country. By emphasizing routine immunization and the oral polio vaccine, delivered through door-to-door services, outreach campaigns, and fixed posts, serving as holistic strategy aimed at reaching every child, even in the most remote parts of the state.

Dr. Saleh’s call during the campaign launch, urging parents and caregivers to ensure that every child under five is vaccinated, has yielded tangible results. Where misinformation, apathy, and logistical barriers once allowed vaccine-preventable diseases like polio to gain a foothold, the story is now changing. Thanks to the campaign’s core strength: a community-centered approach adopted by NAPHDA.

By partnering with traditional rulers, religious institutions, and local stakeholders, NAPHDA has wisely mobilized trusted voices to reinforce the message that immunization is safe, vital, and non-negotiable.

It is important to remember that while Nigeria was declared polio-free in 2020, the threat of a resurgence remains real if vigilance lapses. That’s why sustained campaigns like the NIPDs are essential. They protect individual children and preserve broader public health through herd immunity, preventing future outbreaks.

The 2025 campaign was not just about health, it was about equity. Every vaccine dose administered in a remote village, every child immunized against polio, represented a step toward bridging the health disparities that have long existed in rural and underserved communities, especially prior to the appointment of Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh as head of NAPHDA.

As the immunization ended across Nasarawa’s 13 Local Government Areas, its true success will not be measured solely by the number of vials distributed, but by the number of lives improved, disabilities prevented, and futures secured.

Through the unwavering support of Governor Abdullahi Sule, NAPHDA has made commendable progress. Now, the onus is on all of us, parents, community leaders, and citizens to rise to the occasion and ensure that no child is left behind in future immunization efforts.

The successes recording in the last June polio immunization would surely mark a turning point.
Kudos to Dr. Usman Iskilu Saleh.