UNICEF has declared that Nigeria was on the verge of being declared polio-free.
Disclosing this in Sokoto on Friday, while addressing the planning meeting of the members of the Journalists Against Polio (JAP), for the September 2013 sub-polio immunisation plus days (SIPDs), UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Mrs Jean Gough said, “Nigeria is in the eyes of the world as we are close to the end of the last journey and it is the most difficult.
“More efforts should be in this direction to ensure the success of the last game. Polio is debilitating and it is a killer,” she said.
The UNICEF boss also maintained that polio eradication was possible in Nigeria.
“The media, government, communities and other stakeholders are crucial in ensuring the success of the fight against polio .
Gough also said UNICEF was determined to continue with its activities in other areas like tackling scourge of malnutrition, water and sanitation, among others.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, commended UNICEF for being a “dependable and worthy,’’ partner to Sokoto State. [NAN]
