Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives under the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH), Community of Practice (CoP), to reduce the number of zero-dose children across the state.
The state’s Commissioner of Public Procurement, Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Comrade Nura Iro Ma’aji, stated this when he received members of the Kano CoP on the ZDLH project in his office.
He explained that the ministry will continue to collaborate with the State Ministry of Health to ensure effective healthcare delivery, adding that several Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state are currently undergoing upgrades.
Comrade Ma’aji emphasised that efficient procurement processes require active input from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stressing the importance of engaging relevant stakeholders to achieve meaningful development outcomes.
The commissioner stated that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf prioritises a citizen-centred budget, which necessitates stronger advocacy from CSOs to promote projects that directly impact citizens’ welfare.
Ma’aji assured the coalition that the Ministry would continue to monitor infrastructure projects to ensure compliance with quality standards and value for money.
“I assure you that top-level engagement at the state level will be step-down to the grassroots, where local government chairmen will be fully involved to achieve the desired results,” he said.
Leader of the delegation and state Focal Person for ZDLH, Dr Musa Bello, stated that the visit aimed to intimate the commissioner on the ZDLH project.
He presented the Accountability Scorecard, and seek his support in lending his voice at the State Executive Council to ensure the timely release and effective use of immunization funds.
Dr Bello also urged the commissioner to extend the ministry’s monitoring activities to track the implementation of immunization funds at Primary Health Care (PHC) levels, particularly in Sumaila LGA, one of the ZDLH focal LGAs.
Also speaking, Co-Chair of the Community of Practice (CoP), Mr Salisu Yusuf explained that since the project’s inception in 2023, AHBN has engaged a wide range of stakeholders to help bridge the immunization gaps in Kano.
He noted that, “Out of the 100 LGAs with high zero-dose burden in Nigeria, Kano alone accounts for about 15. This highlights the urgent need for a collective and coordinated response to reach every child.”
AHBN Consultant, Mr Aqibu Hamisu, added that the commissioner’s influence as a native of Sumaila LGA could further strengthen local commitment.
He called on the commissioner to encourage local government officials to take ownership in tackling the issue of unvaccinated children.
During the visit, the team presented copies of the 2024 Kano State Immunisation Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard developed by AHBN and the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET).
The scorecard outlines key achievements, existing gaps, and actionable recommendations, serving as an accountability tool for policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society groups to track progress and strengthen advocacy around routine immunisation.
The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of the Kano State Government and the ZDLH project to improving immunisation coverage and ensuring that no child is left behind.
Health Reporters Newspaper reports, that the Zero Dose Learning Hub (ZDLH) initiative, implemented by AHBN and AFENET with funding support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
The project is currently operational in Kano, Bauchi, Borno, and Sokoto States to boost vaccine uptake and reduce the number of unimmunized children.
The advocacy delegation to the commissioner includes; Sulaiman Jalo (AMG Knowledge Management Officer), Salisu Yusuf (Co-Chair, CoP), Aqibu Hamisu (AHBN Consultant), Zainab Nasir (Executive Director, YOSPOS), Nafisa Shehu (Executive Administrator, CHR), Khadija Aliyu from Radio Nigeria, and Aisha of Aminci Radio.
