Following the successes recorded so far in the fight against Wild Polio Virus (WPV) in Nigeria, the Founder, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), Sir Emeka Offor, has applauded the contributions of Rotary International (RI), World Health Organisation (WHO), the Nigerian government and other stakeholders who have contributed in the fight against the WPV.
Withing the past three years, Nigeria has not recorded any case of WPV. In the next few months, Nigeria will join the league of polio-free nations.
In a statement in Abuja, Sir Offor charged stakeholders in the fight against the WPV to remain focused and increase their surveillance and vigilance profile.
He applauded international partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for what he described as “their generous interventions towards the eradication of polio in Nigeria.”
Sir Offor, who is a RI Polio Ambassador in Nigeria, however, expressed the commitment of his foundation to partner with relevant stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria is certified polio free in the next couple of months.
“At Sir Emeka Foundation, we have committed expertise, resources and time in support of this noble, worthy and humanitarian course. Our resolve is irrevocable, our determination strengthened as we look into the future to achieve the second milestone which is the certification of Nigeria and Africa as Wild Polio Virus free.
“I encourage all of us to stay focused while we rejoice. Our surveillance and vigilance profile must be raised now. Our activities of advocacy, routine immunisation and field supervision must continue with alacrity as we approach the final line,” he said.
While commending the federal government and other stakeholders who have contributed immensely in the fight against the WPV and ensuring that Nigeria gets to this final stage, the philanthropist said: “I salute the hard work, passion and commitment of all health workers, volunteers and supporters who were driving the wheel of immunization as we sojourned through the polio pathway.”
By Hassan Zaggi
