Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Alarmed by the growing threat of polio resurgence and other preventable diseases, the Community Re-orientation Women Network (CROWN) has unveiled a grassroots initiative to mobilise thousands of female volunteers to combat the spread of the virus in Kano State.
The foundation, supported by Dangote and Gates Foundations, disclosed on Friday that it had identified 558 zero-dose children in Zango community, Ungogo LGA of Kano—children who have never received any form of immunisation.
This figure aligns with a recent UNICEF report which estimated that about 250,000 children in Kano lack routine vaccinations.
Speaking at a press conference, Zouera Yousouffou, CROWN Board Chair and Managing Director of the Dangote Foundation, said the campaign will empower 5,000 trained women across 39 wards in Kano, Sokoto, and Bauchi to conduct door-to-door outreach on immunisation, hygiene, nutrition, and birth spacing.
“CROWN is a volunteer-based women’s collective advancing human development in underserved communities,” she said. “We are addressing vaccine resistance through trusted voices—women from the same communities—while also supporting them economically.”
Violaine Mitchell of the Gates Foundation reaffirmed support for the initiative, saying CROWN gives women a voice and drives improvements in health, education, and nutrition.
The CEO of SciDaR, CROWN’s technical partner, Dr. Uchenna Igbokwe lauded the ambassadors’ dedication and promised to scale up support.
Traditional leaders were also commended for backing the program, which aims to deliver sustainable, community-driven solutions to health challenges in northern Nigeria.
