World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of wild polio as at Friday, June 19th.
This comes after the completion of documentation for the free status by the Nigerian government.
The WHO Nigeria made the announcement via its Twitter handle on Friday morning, saying;
Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus-free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC). It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme.
Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for #WildPoliovirus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).
It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme! pic.twitter.com/h2mEngkKXv
— WHO Nigeria (@WHONigeria) June 18, 2020
Reacting to the news, Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at described the documentation as historical.
He said;
Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by (ARCC); the Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.
Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by the African Regional Certification Committee (ARCC). The Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status. pic.twitter.com/B9nplm7whV
— Dr. Faisal Shuaib (@drfaisalshuaib) June 18, 2020
The Director of NPHCDA stressed that;
This claim was accepted and will be officially announced next month at a meeting of Ministers of Health.
We stand on the shoulders of many heroes who sacrificed their time and lives for this incredible feat.— Dr. Faisal Shuaib (@drfaisalshuaib) June 18, 2020
He appreciated President Buhari and other partners for the constant driving force and motivation behind the effort of frontline workers.
The leadership provided by Mr President, our traditional and religious leaders, our indefatigable partners, past Presidents, Ministers, ED/CEOs of NPHCDA/NPI, leaders in the public health space, the media, polio victims, parents and many too numerous to mention
— Dr. Faisal Shuaib (@drfaisalshuaib) June 18, 2020
…has been the constant driving force and motivation behind the efforts of frontline workers.#EndPolio
— Dr. Faisal Shuaib (@drfaisalshuaib) June 18, 2020
