2004 was a period of uncertainty, but at the height of the controversy over the oral polio vaccine (OPV), the wife of the Governor of Yobe State, Hajia (Dr) Maryam Abba Bukar Ibrahim, braved the odds on March 2, by publicly supporting her husband and the deputy governor, declaring that the vaccine is safe. By January 2005, she appeared on national breakfast television to further affirm her support for polio eradication

According to Alhaji Mamman Musa, chairman of the Social Mobilization Committee Technical Committee (SOMTECH), a series of events led by the First Lady followed in quick succession in July 2004, as part of efforts to convince all stakeholders. First was a meeting of 220 Ulamaa and religious leaders, also attended by key religious leaders from Kano and Borno States, followed by another with all LGA chairmen and their wives, and Primary Health Care Coordinators (PHCC). SOMTECH is the operational arm of the State Social Mobilization Committee chaired by the governor’s wife and having top level stakeholders as members. Apart from the governor’s wife, Musa estimates that close to half of those involved in mobilization in the state are women, with groups like National Council for Women Societies, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, Widows Association of Nigeria, Police Wives Association and the Red Cross being in the vanguard.

Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (MWASD) Commissioner, Hajia Hauwa Abdul, speaks of an existing arrangement where the three lady commissioners in the state are deployed to the district level during immunization days. There is also a working relationship between the MWASD, Ministry of Health and other ministries and stakeholders. This is impacting in areas where there are cases of non-compliance, for instance, among the Takaris who are known to be anti-anything government, “We go there to interact with their women to assure that OPV is safe. They accept us, knowing that we cannot deceive them,” said Hajia Abdul

Hajia Bukar Abba Ibrahim confesses her bias for issues affecting women and children and knows that the women appreciate her visits. She is planning visits to Local Government Areas (LGAs), especially the non-compliant communities, and is determined to work through the governor to secure support for social mobilization activities in all LGAs. This will be good news to the wives of LGA chairmen who chair their respective social mobilization committees. In Potiskum LGA, Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim, wife of the chairman, is already looking forward to receiving the promised financial support for activities, including those of the women’s mobilization group of 15. Hajia Bukar Abba Ibrahim urges the women mobilizers to continue with the good work despite occasional discouragement.

The Damaturu LGA women mobilization group which started with 10 members in 2002 under the leadership of Fati Ibrahim, the Mother’s Club Coordinator, looks forward to being supported, though willing to continue working in spite of it. The group educates women and their husbands about the polio campaign during NIDs, and other health concerns. Hauwa Maina, one of the members, recounts how she is sometimes tossed between husbands and wives to frustrate attempts to vaccinate their children, while Binta Kachallah tells of how she has to plead with reluctant parents, letting them know the dangers of not vaccinating their children. Zarah A’Walu remembers the day a father tried to physically attack the ward head who tried to mediate when he did not cooperate. Despite the challenges, all the women remain committed to promoting the health and welfare of children. Amina Mahdi, 73 and the oldest in the group, now used to the antics of some parents, says she is quick to tell those who ask if she is the mother of the children she wants to give polio drops, by answering that she is actually their grand-mother. An inner drive urges her and the other women on.