Zamfara State Government commends Sultan Foundation, as it partners UNICEF on integrated vaccination
By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
Dr. Anka’s appreciation of it among donor agencies underscores that the “Sultan Foundation has been playing a significant role in mobilising religious, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders for the success of the integrated vaccination for the benefits of the overall interest of the society.”
The Zamfara State Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that it is targeting 1.3 million children for its routine integrated vaccination campaign across the 14 local government areas, 147 wards of the state starting from Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 December 2025.
The DEFENDER, on the partnership, reports that although UNICEF was originally formed as the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund in 1946, it has since been rejigged to stand for the United Nations Children’s Fund, keeping the acronym after dropping “International” and “Emergency” in 1953 to reflect its broader, permanent mission of aiding children worldwide.
UNICEF is a global UN agency focused on protecting children’s rights, providing aid, and supporting health, nutrition, education, and disaster relief, hence the worthy partner in the Zamfara State’s ongoing effort to advance the cause of the Nigerian children of its own extractions.
The latest development was disclosed by the Executive Secretary, Zamfara State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr Hussaini Yakubu Anka, during a media dialogue with Journalists and media executives at the Emergency Operations Centre in Gusau, the state capital, on the preparation of routine integrated vaccination campaign, which started on Saturday December 6 as scheduled.
Dr. Hussain Anka said that the state government, in collaboration with other donor agencies, has made adequate preparation to cover all the targeted areas to ensure success of the routine vaccination exercise.
He said, “The integrated exercise is aimed at covering wide range of vaccine-related diseases amongst which Polio virus, Rubella and other diseases have been identified,” saying that, “The campaign will also cover nutritional related issue among pregnant women and children.”
Dr. Anka further stated that, in an effort to ensure that no area is left behind in achieving the aims, a total of 1,997-member well trained team has been formed for the coverage of 147 wards across the 14 local government areas of the state.
He, however, expressed dismay that the campaign was facing rejection by some communities including private schools in the state following lack of adequate information and awareness on importance of the exercise.
Dr. Anka commended Governor Dauda Lawal, UNICEF, Sultan Foundation and other partnering donor agencies for providing enabling environment and total support for the exercise.
Dr. Anka’s appreciation of it among donor agencies underscores that the “Sultan Foundation has been playing a significant role in mobilising religious, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders for the success of the integrated vaccination for the benefits of the overall interest of the society.”
