Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Mrs Zulaihat Radda, has expressed concern over recent discoveries of the type 2 variant of poliovirus (cVPV2) in some parts of the state.

Mrs Radda lamented that 17 cases of the new variant were discovered in the state in 2024, while two cases have been discovered in Danmusa Local Government Area of the state this year.

She made this known at a town hall meeting at the Banquet Hall, Government House, as part of activities commemorating the 2025 World Polio Day.

According to her, despite Nigeria being declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020, the new polio variant was threatening the laudable goal that had already been achieved.

The governor’s wife, therefore, called on stakeholders, including government and international organisations, to put their heads together and fight the new variant to a standstill in the state and the country at large.

“A new challenge stands before us – the circulating variant polio virus type 2 (cVPV2). It is silent, but dangerous. As of October 2024, the WHO confirmed 134 new cases across seven African countries, and Nigeria remains at the forefront of this challenge, with over 70 reported cases in 14 states and 46 local government areas.

“And here at home, Katsina State, our beloved state, has become the epicentre of transmission. In 2024 alone, we recorded 17 cases, and already two more have emerged this year from Danmusa LGA.

“The children who are unfortunately affected by this virus are children who deserve to run, to play, to grow up free from preventable suffering. The heartbreaking reality is that many of these cases could have been avoided.

“The barrier is not the absence of vaccines or health care workers to deliver the vaccines; it is vaccine hesitancy resulting from misinformation, fear, and mistrust, which continue to endanger the health of our children and the stability of our communities.

“That is why I have made this cause my personal mission, not just as the First Lady of Katsina, but as a mother, as a woman, and as a voice for the voiceless. As the state’s lead advocate for vaccination, I have sat with parents, walked with health workers, and engaged with traditional and religious leaders. I have listened. I have learned. And I have led.

“These vaccines that have been carefully formulated are safe, proven, and they are our most powerful weapon against diseases like polio that have no cure.

“We are not alone in this fight. We are grateful to our tireless partners —the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Rotary International, Gates Foundation, CDC AFENET, Core Group, Solina, Chigari, Sultan Foundation, and many others — who continue to walk this journey with us.

“Together, we are strengthening disease surveillance, mobilising communities, and rolling out door-to-door vaccination campaigns. And together, we will interrupt the spread of CVPV2 in Katsina, across Nigeria, and throughout Africa.”

Also speaking, Chief, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahamam Farah, warned against lukewarmness among stakeholders in the effort to eradicate the virus in the state.

Farah said much has been achieved over the years, but that much more needs to be done so that every child can become polio-free across the state.

“UNICEF calls on governments and partners to prioritise vaccination of all children against polio and strengthen immunisation systems to ensure all children receive essential, lifesaving vaccines.

“UNICEF also calls on governments to maintain and support surveillance systems to support faster detection, faster response, and ensure children are protected as quickly as possible from outbreaks,” he added.