Pres. Buhari Applauds Nigeria’s Removal from List of Polio-Endemic Countries

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed Friday’s announcement by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria.

The President’s reaction to the development was contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

The president expressed delight over the announcement, which followed the absence of any case of the wild polio virus in Nigeria since July 24, 2014.

He applauded the concerted efforts of government officials, health workers, volunteer groups, civil society, religious leaders, traditional rulers and international partners, which resulted in this historic achievement.

Buhari, who joined other Nigerians and the global community in celebrating Nigeria’s removal from the list of polio-endemic countries, urged continued vigilance to ensure that “Nigeria maintains this new status.’’

The President directed all government ministries, departments and agencies involved in the polio eradication effort, to remain proactively engaged and on guard against the re-emergence of the polio virus in Nigeria.

He assured the WHO and the global community that the Federal Government would ensure that immunisation and surveillance activities continued across Nigeria, to keep the country polio-free.