Niger govt, UNICEF, WHO organise inter-ward football competition

Niger State Ministry of Planning Commission with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) has organised an inter-ward football competition to promote immunisation awareness in communities with low coverage.

The football competition which was held at the Bako Kontagora Stadium in Minna will involve 48 wards from six local government areas of the state with low immunisation coverage.

The local government areas with low immunisation coverage are Tafa, Suleja, Chanchaga, Bosso, Borgu and Mashegu LGAs respectfully

The Director of Economic Cooperation and Development, Niger State Ministry of Planning Commission, Malam Yahuza Abdullahi, emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting health initiatives.

“The state government is allocating necessary resources to drive the state forward and ensure our people’s comfort and well-being,” he said.

He explained that the initiative aimed to leverage the popularity of football to educate communities on the importance of immunisation, antenatal care for pregnant women, child protection and nutrition.

Abdullahi noted that no fewer than eight wards were selected from each of the six local government areas due to their low immunisation coverage rates.

Abdullahi disclosed that by engaging youths in football matches was to inspire them to champion health causes in their respective communities.

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Primary Healthcare in Niger State, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, said the football competition was part of activities to commemorate World Polio Day.

He said part of activities to commemorate the world polio day this year was the inauguration of integrated measles immunisation of children under five years across primary healthcare facilities in the state.

“Nigeria achieved polio-free status in August 2020, thanks to dedicated healthcare workers.

“As long as one person harbours the wild polio virus, global eradication remains elusive,” he said.

He said in order to achieve effective immunisation requires collective action from mothers, caregivers, fathers and community leaders in promoting vaccine awareness and uptake.

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROMSPORTING TRIBUNE

Haaland, Gyokeres, Isak, other transfer stories