The acclaimed richest man in the world, Bill Gates and the richest man on the African continent, Alhaji Aliko Dangoted were in the Aso Presidential Villa today to witness the signing of the re-commitment by the Nigerian government for the eradication of polio.
Also at the Villa for the same purpose were seven governors from seven states in Nigeria.
Bill Gates reminded the Nigerian government that it had no excuse not to succeed in attaining the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard on the eradication of polio so as to make Nigeria truly free of the disease in 2017.
“We cannot afford to lose focus. I look forward to come back here and celebrate with Nigeria in tow year’s time as polio free nation.
This was even as Dangote warned that Nigeria cannot afford to backslide now in its quest to make the country polio free in 2017.
After signing the ‘Abuja Commitment ‘with the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’Forum cum Zamfara state governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed satisfaction with what has so far been achieved.
“The issue of polio eradication in Nigeria has been a matter I, and my predecessors, have given the highest priority. It is this continuous prioritization that has gotten us, as a nation, to where we are today.
“The successful de-listing of Nigeria as a polio endemic country is an enormous achievement for our country that should not be understated. It clearly shows that through sheer commitment, hard work and having the right partnerships, we can succeed.
The President expressed appreciation to Mr. Gates for his continued commitment and support to various health care causes in Nigeria, especially through maternal and child healthcare programs. Buhari assured Bill Gates of his Government’s support as the country continued to work together for the betterment of all Nigerians in particular, the vulnerable ones.
“I am very encouraged by the progress we are making on the immunization front. This gives me comfort that we are on the right track to ensure our children and grand children will never know of polio and its adverse impacts on lives and livelihood. Here, I will commend and thank all our partners, including both Mr. Gates and Alhaji Dangote for their personal commitments to this worthy cause.
“Of course, I also recognize the heroics of our polio eradication team under the National Primary Health Care Development Agency of the Federal Ministry of Health as well as the WHO, UNICEF, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CDC, USAID, Rotary, Faith based organizations, Traditional Rulers, vaccinators and caregivers.
“I would like to assure you that the Federal government will continue to provide strong oversight and funding for polio program. To this effect, we will reconstitute an expanded Presidential Taskforce on Polio which will include the 36 states’ Governors to sustain the successes of our current polio eradication activities such as surveillance and routine immunization programs.
“I am pleased to inform you that the 6 states mostly impacted by polio have signed an MoU on routine immunization. This MOU is a commitment by the State Governments, namely Kano, Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Sokoto and Yobe, to strengthen Primary Health care system through community sensitization and support programs.
“Based on this, I will take this opportunity to call on all state governors, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health to sustain this momentum to ensure we maintain the zero polio case status.”
President Buhari called on all the friends of the country, and partners, locally and abroad, to continue to supporting his government on this very worthy task even as he insisted that Nigeria would succeed.
“On the matter of preventable diseases, failure is not an option.” [myad]
