By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, says the successful elimination of polio from Nigeria would not have been possible without the effective contribution of traditional fathers.

She made the acknowledgement at the celebration of World Polio Day 2020 at the Emir’s Palace, Argungu, on October 28, 2020.

The paediatric consultant is happy about the wise counsel by traditional rulers in Kebbi State and other parts of the federation individually and collectively, such as through the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC).

Dr. Bagudu commended the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammdu Mera, for his role, acclaimed internationally, in countering misinformation which helped to overcome boycott of the exercise.

She equally appreciated the vital role played by other government agencies, civil societies and partners.

Dr. Bagudu commended her husband, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, for prompt release of funds and providing necessary support that made it possible to attaining 80 percent coverage of polio immunisation in Kebbi State while also acknowledging the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari in achieving the feat.

She urged parents and health workers to sustain the landmark eradication of polio in Nigeria.

On cancer, Dr. Bagudu, who was recently elected a Director of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), lamented that 26 women die of cervical cancer daily. “As it stands, Nigeria has the highest cancer death rate in Africa. Cervical cancer can be eliminated by a simple vaccine against the human papilloma virus – HPV,” she said.

She used the occasion to announce that the country is set to commence the vaccine against the disease in 2030 sequel to the adoption of a global strategy by World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate the cervical cancer by 2030.

She stressed the need to learn from the polio experience of ensuring adequate enlightenment campaigns in communities in order to achieve success of the exercise.

Dr. Bagudu also revealed that her foundation, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) had been working with local and International partners to ensure the vaccination became a reality for women.

“In Yauri, Kebbi State, with funding from Jaiz Foundation, we pioneered a pilot vaccination study for 100 girls, the findings of which will be published soon in a peer review journal.

“Thus, it is my prayer that the fight against cervical cancer using the HPV vaccine receives the same momentum that polio has received in Nigeria,” she said.

In his remarks, Dr Razi Muktar, representative of WHO, acknowledged the role played by the traditional institution in the fight against the disease, especially the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera.

Muktar assured of continued support to Kebbi State in implementing all intervention programs in order to improve its health indices, especially routine immunisation.

“We shall also support the state government to deliver an integrated service delivery and strengthen primary health services,” the WHO representative assured.

On his part, a representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Alhaji Shehu Abdul-Ganiyu, stressed the need for continued polio immunisation in spite of polio free certification indices of the country.

He also tasked traditional and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders to sustain advocacy and mobilisation of women to attend ante-natal care facilities nearest to their communities.

The Chief of Field office UNICEF Sokoto, Muhammadeen Fall, represented by Mustapha Illo, said the organisation was always glad to be associated with Kebbi Government and acknowledged the strong leadership role played by governor Bagudu with traditional leaders in the elimination of Polio in the state.

“Eventually we have succeeded after 30 years of struggle and battle to end polio,” he said.

Speaking, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammdu Mera, commended all those in positions of authority and development partners for their support to end polio in Nigeria.

He particularly commended the commitment of Governor Bagudu for his unrelenting efforts and for giving the traditional and religious leaders opportunity to contribute in the fight to end polio in state. Disclosing that other state have since come to study the experience, he said that “the fight to eradicate polio is a collective one, hence the need to appreciate all for their wonderful contribution.”

Mera also assured of the readiness of all traditional rulers across the state to continue to support and sustain the fight against poliomyelitis and other policies and programmes of the government.

The State Commissioner for Health, Jafar Mohammed, similarly lauded the efforts of Governor Bagudu, his wife, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, national and international partners for their individual and collective support for the fight to end polio in Kebbi State.

One of the highlights of the event was a drama by polio survivors stressing the need for immunisation. This was followed by exchange of awards and presentation of certificates between the wife of the governor Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu and his Royal Highness, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammdu Mera.

Similarly, active stakeholders who made various contributions to the eradication of polio in the state were presented with awards of appreciation.

They included Dr. Abubakar Kaoje, Gulman Gulma, Muhammdu Bashar, Mai Arewan Gabas Yeldu, Alhaji Lawal Kakubu, Muzan Bayawa, Murtala Muhammed Kaka, Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Alhaji Muhammd Zarumai.

Others were Muhammedeen Fall, Chief Field Office UNICEF Sokoto, Alhaji Yusuf Sauwa, State Health Educator, Limamin Kabi, Muhammdu Tukur and Dr. Abubakar Muhammd Wali.