The Kwara State Government has expressed displeasure over the lackadaisical attitude of some council chairmen toward routine immunisation of children in their areas.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, expressed the government’s concern at the first quarterly meeting of the Kwara State Taskforce on Immunisation on Tuesday in Ilorin.
Alabi, reacting to reports of poor support from the councils, said the government would not tolerate such an attitude from any quarter.
He said the state would continue to give routine immunisation and primary healthcare the highest priority.
The deputy governor commended the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for its activities, particularly in routine immunisation and strengthening primary healthcare services at the grassroots.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the state had made significant progress in routine immunisation, with over one million children vaccinated in 2025.
Elelu said that in response to the polio outbreak in the state, over one million children were immunised across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
According to her, Moro LGA recorded the highest coverage at 91 per cent, adding that all wards in the state were reached despite security challenges in some areas.
She said that due to insecurity in some communities, including Kiama LGA, supplementary immunisation activities were carried out to quickly boost children’s immunity.
Elelu added that the security challenges led to two confirmed cases of Circulating Variant Poliovirus Type 2 (cVPV2) in December 2025.
She raised concerns over increasing insecurity spreading to more communities.
Elelu also cited the non-release of LGA counterpart funds in some areas, attributing it to a lack of political will.
She appealed to local government leaders to provide more support for primary healthcare (PHC) activities.
Elelu reiterated the state government’s resolve to strengthen security architecture to protect communities and healthcare workers, enabling comprehensive immunisation coverage.
She described the quarterly meetings as a statutory engagement between the agency and key stakeholders for high-level decision-making.
“The National Immunisation Plus Days targeting children aged zero to nine months will commence soon,” Elelu said.
Also, the Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, emphasised the critical role of vaccines in preventing diseases.
El-Imam, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, said progress had been made in reducing child mortality through immunisation.
She, however, urged more efforts to ensure that no child is left behind.
“We will continue to strengthen immunisation and enhance engagement to address vaccine hesitancy,” the commissioner said.
Also speaking, Mr Seun Ogunniyi, Chairman, House Committee on Health and Nutrition, Kwara State House of Assembly, emphasised the importance of primary healthcare services in the state.
He reiterated that the legislature would continue to support the agency’s efforts to strengthen immunisation.
Ogunniyi noted that the agency is performing well, judging by health indices in the state.
