The United Nation International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) have declared that Plateau State has remained polio free for a long time, which according to them is a significant milestone as a result of the State government unwavering resilience, prompt response, and intervention to eradicate the menace.

UNICEF also appeal to Governor Caleb Mutfwang not to rest in his oars and continue channelling resources in healthcare system and advocate for the right of children. 
A health specialist from UNICEF, Dr. David Audu while speaking during the official commencement of oral polio vaccination campaign for children between 0-5 years, held over the weekend in Naraguta Primary healthcare (PHC), Rigiza district of Jos North local government area.

He acknowledged the role of traditional rulers, religion leaders and other stakeholders to sustain the push by encouraging all the people within their jurisdiction to not only take volume of vaccines but also go out for routine immunization.

The representative of world health organisation (WHO), Pharmacist James Ocheh, applauded the authority of Jos North local council commitment towards the actualisation of the exercise noting that, "we want to believe that this commitment will be translated into a polio-free community in Jos not local government and a local government that is also free of all vaccine-preventable diseases.
"We want to encourage every woman to please present their children and let no child be missed because the federal government is doing its best to make sure that Nigeria is free from polio. And we have made available polio vaccine for most of the rounds that we have been taking place and that have been implementing this campaign and it has always been enough of polio vaccines.

"We also want to encourage women to make sure that their children also take their routine vaccines that are supposed to be given to all the children that are giving birth to make sure that their walls are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases."

He also encouraged women to present their daughters  who are between the age of nine
to take  human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that is also going on now along with this campaign. "This is very critical because all children, all our girls child will have to be protected against cervical cancer."
Performing the symbolic administration of the vaccines, wife of the Jos North local government chairman, Mrs Tina John Christopher expressed optimism that the vaccines will go a long way in boosting the immune system but women and children, especially pregnant women.

While calling on UNICEF and WHO to keep doing more, she urged women to avail their children as the vaccines are  free, safe, and effective.

Director of health, Jos North local government, Martha Kummiap, revealed the exercise supposed to last for 3 days but they extended it to 5 days including 2 days mup up exercise.

"I want to inform our caregivers that the immunization we are having today, we have that of the children, which is the polio.
We also have maternal and child health vaccine, not vaccine, but in form of tablets and supplements that will be given to the children, and we also have that of the pregnant women", she added.

The exercise heralded with the free distribution of diapers to nursing mothers by the wife of Jos North local government chairman Mrs Tina John Christopher.