Haj. Zulaihat Dikko Radda Calls for Renewed Commitment to Eradicate Polio in Katsina State
— First Lady urges stronger collaboration as Katsina marks World Polio Day 2025
From Mu’awuya Bala Idris Katsina
The Wife of the Katsina State Governor, Her Excellency Hajiya Zulaihat Dikko Umar Radda, has called for greater collaboration and renewed commitment toward the total eradication of polio in Katsina State and across Nigeria.
Speaking at the World Polio Day 2025 Commemoration held at the New Government House, Katsina, Mrs. Radda expressed concern over the recent detection of two cases of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (CVPV2) in Danmusa Local Government Area, describing it as “a serious threat to the remarkable progress achieved so far.”
“A new challenge stands before us—the circulation of variant Polio Virus Type 2 poses a danger to the survival of our children,” she emphasized.
While commending all stakeholders for their collective efforts in reducing reported polio cases from 17 to 2, Mrs. Radda attributed the success to the joint commitment of traditional rulers, donor agencies, health workers, and government institutions.
“These victories were not accidental; they were the result of collective and concerted efforts from all stakeholders—the government, traditional institutions, development partners, and the extraordinary courage of frontline health workers and caregivers who never gave up,” she said.
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Mrs. Radda also acknowledged the role of traditional rulers in combating misinformation and resistance to immunization, which has helped improve compliance and coverage across communities.
She further expressed appreciation to the Federal and State Governments, civil society groups, and development partners for their continued support in sustaining Nigeria’s gains toward a polio-free future.
Highlighting her personal contribution, Mrs. Radda revealed that her foundation, the Safe Space Humanitarian Initiative (SASHIN), has been actively partnering with local and international organizations to improve the wellbeing of children and mothers across Katsina State.
Representing the Chief of UNICEF Kano Field Office, Mr. Rahama Rihood Muhammad Farah, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Fatima Adamu reiterated UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
“It is a profound honour for UNICEF to stand with Katsina State on World Polio Day 2025 to reaffirm our shared vision of a future free from polio for every child,” she said.
She congratulated Her Excellency Zulaihat Dikko Radda, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, and the people of Katsina State for their leadership and commitment to public health.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Musa Adamu Funtua, commended Governor Radda, the First Lady, national and international partners, and frontline health workers for their dedication to the fight against polio.
The event featured goodwill messages, group photographs with polio survivors, and recognition of active stakeholders, including the wives of all 34 Local Government Chairmen and representatives of partner organizations working to eradicate polio in the state.
