President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that that the Presidential Taskforce on Polio will soon be reconstituted an expanded. He made the disclosure yesterday at the signing of the updated Abuja Commitment on Polio Eradication at the Presidential Villa.

“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 immunisation programmes,” Buhari said.

He praised the roles played by Microsoft Chairman, Mr Bill Gates, and Nigerian business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, in the fight against polio endemic in the country.

According to him, “The issue of polio eradication in Nigeria has been a matter I, and my predecessors, have given the highest priority. It is this continuous prioritisation 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 seized the opportunity to reaffirm his “continued commitment and support to various health care causes in Nigeria especially through maternal and child healthcare programmes. You should be rest assured of the Government of Nigeria’s support as we continue to work together for the betterment of all Nigerians in particular, the vulnerable ones.”

While commending other actors in the polio eradication drive such as 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 organisations, traditional rulers, vaccinators and caregivers; he stated that the Federal Government will continue to provide strong oversight and funding for polio programme.

Buhari also informed that, “The 6 states mostly impacted by polio have signed an MoU on routine immunisation. 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 sensitisation and support programmes.”

He, equally, urged all state governors, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and the Federal Ministry of Health to sustain the momentum to ensure that Nigeria maintain the zero polio case status.

•Photo shows Bill Gates and President Buhari exchanging pleasantries while Aliko Dangote watches . . . yesterday at the signing of the Updated Abuja Commitments on Polio Eradication and Routine Immunisation at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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