…as west, central African celebrities release new song to drive immunization
By Gloria Ikibah
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that as of 22 October 2024, there have been 138 polio cases in Africa, and nearly half of infected children came from Nigeria.
As a result of this, leading music stars and celebrity actors from across West and Central Africa have come together to release a new song titled No More Zero Dose to help bring childhood immunization back on track.
The song which was released on World Polio Day, brings together 12 of the region’s top musicians and UNICEF Champions – Cobhams, Ali Nuhu, Kate Henshaw, Master Soumy, Mawndoe, Omawumi, Qing Madi, Sekouba Bambino, Spyro, Stanley Enow, Timi Dakolo and WAJE to send a clear message: every child deserves to be protected by vaccines.
It focused on the urgent need to reach zero-dose children, those who have not received any vaccinations, and protect them from preventable childhood diseases like polio, measles and more.
UNICEF, in a statement made available to Naijablitznews.com reveals that West and Central Africa is the region with the lowest immunization coverage in the world.
The statement reads: “Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) coverage for the region was 69 per cent in 2023, down from 72 per cent in 2019.
“The region has also experienced multiple vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks in recent years, including polio, measles, diphtheria and yellow fever.
“So far this year (as of 22 October 2024), there have been 138 polio cases in Africa, and nearly half of infected children were in Nigeria. In 2023, there were 506 polio cases in Africa.
“With nearly 4.3 million children across the region not receiving vital vaccines, ‘No More Zero Dose’ delivers a call to action through music. By fusing vibrant sounds with a message of hope, love, and protection, these artists hope to inspire listeners to join the movement to protect every child.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Gilles Fagninou, restated the commitment of UNICEF to ensuring that no child is left behind, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.
“Zero-dose children are the most vulnerable, and ensuring they receive life-saving vaccines is critical for their future. This song amplifies that message. We can and must reach every child and eradicate polio.
“As a UNICEF Champion, I urge everyone to join us in the fight against preventable diseases like polio. Together, we have the power to protect every child’s future and eradicate these diseases for good,” said Nigerian music producer Cobhams Asuquo, who spearheaded the collaboration. “Let us work to ensure that every child receives the vital vaccine they deserve, protecting their future and our world. Join us in this mission—let’s spread hope and health across Africa.”
UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, said the project is significant for Nigeria, a country still facing a high number of under vaccinated children.
“The release of the No More Zero Dose song featuring 12 talented artists from across West and Central Africa, eight of whom are from Nigeria, reflects the deep commitment to ensuring that every child receives life-saving vaccines. Music is a powerful tool for change, and through this collaboration, we are amplifying the message that no child should be missed”, she said.
No More Zero Dose has been launched on YouTube and will soon be available on popular streaming platforms. As the region marks World Polio Day, this collaborative effort serves as a reminder that while progress has been made, the fight to end zero-dose cases continues.