NIGERIA'S President, Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) has reached a laudable milestone as the World Health Organisation (WHO) certifies Nigeria a polio-free country yesterday in a virtual conference with top African leaders.
PMB made this known last night in a statement where he shared his joy on the certification.
Buhari said: "I recall that shortly after assuming office in May 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor. Today’s certification of our Wild Polio-Free status is in fulfilment of that pledge to not only Nigerians but to all Africans."
"We must guard this achievement of the eradication of the Wild Polio Virus in Africa jealously and ensure that we take all necessary steps to prevent a resurgence of this disease", he said
Commending the hard work and resilience of health workers and volunteers, he said: "I commend the decades of hard work and resilience of health workers and volunteers across Africa, and Ministers of Health and other stakeholders- political, traditional, religious and community leaders who provided the required support and leadership."
Showing his gratefulness to organisations, foundations and nations, he said: "Let me also appreciate the invaluable support of our donors, development and local partners: WHO, the United Nations Children's Funds, (UNICEF), the Bill Gates Foundation, the Aliko Dangote Foundation, The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Union, (EU), Emeka Offor Foundation, Japanese and German Governments, numerous Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and faith-based organizations."
"These are truly the heroes and heroines of many battles that have made us triumphant in the war against polio," Buhari said.
"We must continue to build trust between Government institutions, leaders, and citizens so that we can unite as a people and confront the health and socio-economic challenges we face together," he concluded.
