NIGERIAN President, Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday identified the downturn in the nation’s economy and insecurity in some states as some of the challenges facing the nation’s desire to completely eradicate wild polio virus.
He however promised that his administration will continue to ensure timely release of required funds for the eradication of the disease.
This was contained in the President’s statement on the second anniversary of the last time the polio virus was recorded in Nigeria.
The last case was reported on July 24, 2014.
Buhari congratulated all stakeholders that have made the achievement possible and those who he said have worked tirelessly to maintain the effort and permanently halt new polio cases in the country.
He said the next major milestone for the country is the certification of polio-free status in 2017 by the World Health Organisation.
He said his administration remained 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.Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, USAID, US-Centre for Disease Control, Rotary International, and a host of others who contributed financially and materially to this effort. Together we can achieve our vision to make polio a thing of the past,” the President concluded.
