The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, has disclosed that Kebbi State has recorded no new polio cases since 2011, noting that the state would not allow complacency.
Mera, who is the Chairman of the Traditional Leaders Council Against Polio and Co-Chairman of the Kebbi State Task Force on Immunisation, stated this during the flag-off of the Polio Outbreak Response Immunisation Campaign in Birnin Kebbi.
On behalf of traditional rulers, the Emir thanked Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering support in keeping polio out of Kebbi. He affirmed the traditional institution’s commitment to sustaining cooperation and mobilising their subjects to achieve full-scale coverage of the immunisation exercise.
While flagging off the campaign, Governor Nasir Idris said the incumbent administration would reinvigorate the fight towards ensuring a polio-free society.
“Kebbi State Government is wholly committed to the healthy well-being of the people.
“We shall continue to collaborate with partners and stakeholders to reach every child in remote communities and difficult terrain to administer immunisation to eliminate polio. We must safeguard the health of our next generation.
“Kebbi is polio-free, but the administration will sustain the necessary immunisation campaign to protect our children from afflictions that might come from neighbouring states.
“This crippling disease is real. All parents must ensure that their children and wards receive the vaccine. The vaccine is absolutely safe,” the Governor assured.
Comrade Nasir Idris urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, local government officials, and community heads to lend their support to the exercise to achieve the target objective.
“Your endorsement of the immunisation programme will help ensure that every child is vaccinated.
“We thank healthcare workers for their professional commitment to service. With combined support and unity of purpose, we shall sustain a polio-free Kebbi,” Comrade Nasir remarked.
The Governor donated ₦5 million cash to district heads who mobilised parents and children to attend the flag-off campaign and receive immunisation.
The Commissioner for Health, Comrade Yunusa Isma’ila, said the administration of Governor Nasir Idris has prioritised the health of the people and the improvement of the health sector.
“The flag-off of the immunisation programme is a significant step towards eliminating polio entirely. The exercise is to protect every child from the disease,” the commissioner affirmed.
In a goodwill message on behalf of other partners, the representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Nasir Zurmi, commended the Kebbi State Government for its robust response to polio elimination.
“Kebbi is the only state that has recorded 100% success in this direction. We shall continue to offer valuable support to uphold the trend,” Dr Zurmi said.
Apart from being administered the anti-polio vaccine, all the children immunised at the flag-off ceremony went home with various gift items donated by the government.
The Sun Nigeria
