States declare war against polio

Many states on Saturday expressed their commitment to eradicating polio by sustaining the campaign against the deadly disease.

Some of the states — Lagos, Rivers, Oyo and Anambra — made this known in separate statements after the launch of the quarterly Polio Eradication Sensitisation Campaign organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum, which chose August 13 as the Polio Eradication Day.

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the anti polio crusade was an initiative geared towards eliminating the scourge from the country.

He said, “About a year ago, all the state governors in Nigeria signed an accord to create national awareness on the scourge and disability caused by poliomyelitis amongst our vulnerable children

“Nigeria is the only country in Africa still battling with this preventable polio virus. The three other countries where polio is still endemic are Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It’s in a bid to focus attention towards this debilitating disease that the NGF announced a national crusade to be led by the governors against the disease.”


Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who spoke at the sensitisation programme in Oshodi, said, “What is more profound about this programme is that it is taking place simultaneously in all the 36 states which is a follow up to the resolve of the NGF to lead the campaign to eradicate polio from Nigeria.

“It is not just going to be Lagos and a few other states that are polio free but we intend to ensure that the whole country is too.”

Oyo State governor, Mr. Abiola Ajimobi, in a live broadcast on polio eradication, pledged that his administration would commit financial, human and material resources to implement free immunisation for children in the state.

He said, “We are ready to back up our plan with adequate resources and committed political leadership.”

Also, Mr. Peter Obi of Anambra State, who spoke through his Commissioner for Health, Prof. Amaobi Ilika, said the state had remained polio-free for five years due to the continued immunisation programme.

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