President Muhammadu Buhari beats chest as he says he has fulfilled his promise of kicking out polio in Nigeria.
On Tuesday, the independent Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC) for polio eradication officially declared Nigeria and the rest of Africa free of indigenous wild.
According to WHO, this marks the eradication of the second virus from the face of the continent since smallpox 40 years ago.
Speaking at the event where the World Health Organisation declared Africa free of polio, Buhari said he promised Nigerians that he would not hand over a Nigeria with polio to his successor, and has achieved that word.
“This is indeed a truly historic event. I recall shortly after assuming office in 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor,” Buhari said
“This certification is, therefore, a personal fulfillment of that pledge, not only to Nigerians but to all Africans.”
“At a time when the global community is battling with the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement strengthens my conviction that the requisite political will, investments, and strategies, as well as citizens’ commitment, will flatten the pandemic curve.
“I can affirm the commitment of all African leaders in this course of action. We must guard this achievement jealously and ensure that we take all necessary steps to prevent the resurgence of this deadly disease”.
“Today, 25th of July, 2015, Nigeria has successfully completed one year without any case reported of the wild polio virus.
“Achieving this feat has placed us firmly on the path to eradicating this paralyzing disease from our land.
“I seize this opportunity to call on governors, our traditional and religious leaders, the private sector and our mothers and fathers to redouble their efforts to ensure that every child and every new born baby is vaccinated with the polio vaccine and other lifesaving routine vaccines,” he had
WHO officials present at the event include: Robert Redfield, director, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Rose Leke, chairperson, Africa Regional Certification Commission; Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; and some polio survivor.
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