In commemoration of the World Polio Day, the Kwara State Government has called on parents and guardians to always present their children for immunisation against polio and other preventable diseases that may cause death or lead to permanent disability in children.
The Commissioner for Social Development, Hajia Mariam Nnafatima Imam, PhD, made the call recently during the 2025 World Polio Day celebration organised by the state government in collaboration with the National Association of Persons With Disabilities (NAPWD), held at the Ministry of Social Development.
While reassuring that there is no harm in immunisation, the Commissioner urged parents and guardians to dispel misconceptions about vaccines and ensure their children receive all necessary immunisations to protect them from life-threatening and disabling diseases such as polio.
She said immunisation against diseases, like polio, is given to children up to the age of five to strengthen their immune system and give best possible protection against dangerous diseases that could result in death or permanent disabilities, appealing to parents and caregivers to save their children’s lives by preventing serious illnesses.
Hajia Imam commended the members of NAPWD and polio survivors for not relegating themselves by begging for alms, appreciating them for not allowing their disabilities to have negative effect on their lives.
The Commissioner assured them of the state government’s continued support through inclusion, skills acquisition, in addition to various initiatives by the federal government aimed at improving their daily lives.
Earlier, the NAPWD’s Chairman, Kwara State Chapter, Comrade Muftau Ibrahim Olesin, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Maryamu Nnabadan John, appealed to the Kwara State Government for the establishment of a commission for persons with disabilities in order to promote and implement policies in favour of PWDs to ensure equal opportunities and eliminate all forms of discrimination against them.
He also appealed to the state government to construct a secretariat for persons with disabilities in the state to facilitate their administrative activities and enhance coordination among them.
The event was rounded off with the presentation of an Award of Excellence to the Commissioner in recognition of her support for the polio eradication in the state.
Janet Bogunjoko,
Press Secretary,
MOSD.
