The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has applauded the delisting of Nigeria from polio endemic countries by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In a statement signed by Lateef Shittu, acting NGF director-general, on Monday, he acknowledged the contribution of all stakeholders both at state and local government levels that played key roles that resulted in Nigeria achieving the feat.
The statement recalled the decision of the Forum in 2012 to have deputy governors take charge of the day-to-day running of the polio programme in their respective states and to report back to their governors.
The Forum remains committed to its earlier decisions and cautioned governors and their deputies “from accepting any mediocre performance and outcomes from the programme otherwise Nigeria risk losing its newly acquired global status on polio,” he said.
He called for continued commitment and concerted efforts to get Nigeria certified polio-free in another 24 months from now, while acknowledging the cooperation and support from traditional and religious institutions, health workers, volunteers, international development partners and the Federal Government.
Recall that the WHO DG, Margaret Chan, had last week announced the removal of Nigeria from the list of polio endemic countries at the Polio Oversight Board Meeting in New York, United States of America.
Prior to the announcement, Nigeria was the only remaining polio endemic country in Africa.
The announcement was made after the presentation by Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for the African Region, who updated the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Polio Oversight Board (POB) on the current status and challenges of the polio eradication programme in the African Region.
