By Asmau Ahmad
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight over Nigeria’s efforts in registering zero case of wild polio virus in the last two years.
In a statement issued in Abuja, President Buhari, commended stakeholders for making the historic achievement possible.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Buhari made the remark to mark Nigeria’s two years of zero wild polio virus reported case, adding that congratulated all those who had worked tirelessly to maintain the effort and permanently halt new polio cases in the country.
He added that the next major milestone for the country is the certification of polio-free status in 2017 by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“This administration remains firm in its commitment towards making this a reality by continuing to support in every way possible, routine immunisation and the revitalisation of primary health care system.
“As a nation, we are cooperating with international public and private partners to ensure that in our lifetime our children do not suffer from this crippling disease again. We recognise the power of global partnership to achieve a polio-free world and Nigeria will continue to honour its commitment to ensure that this disease is wiped off the face of the earth for good,” he said.
The president pledged to ensure that Nigerian children were protected against vaccine-preventable diseases in spite of the current socio-economic challenges facing the country.
He further assured that the Federal Government would continue to do its best to ensure timely release of funds required for polio eradication programme.
President Buhari applauded the immense support of religious and traditional rulers in making the country polio virus-free.
He also thanked the nation’s development partners, particularly WHO, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, USAID, US-Centre for Disease Control, Rotary International, and others, who contributed financially and materially to this effort.
