Polio Day: Bauchi Govt Sustains Polio Virus-Free Status.

By Murtala Muhammad

Bauchi State Government has pledged to maintain its position in the fight against Polio as the state clocks eight years without any reported case of Wild Polio Virus.

The Wife of the State Governor, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed gave the indication while addressing a group of volunteers who were out on a rally in commemoration of World Polio Day, which is being celebrated annually on the 24th October.

Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed said since 2012 the state has consistently been achieving Surveillance Indicators and Oral Polio Virus Type Three vaccine of ninety five percent which had been optimally administered on children under the ages of five.

The Wife of the Governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Asma’u Ahmed Giade attributed the successes recorded to efforts of all stakeholders who were working round the clock towards achieving polio-free state.

Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed who called for sustenance of the efforts put in place by all and sundry, urged parents to present their children for routine immunisation to prevent them from Wild Polio Virus threatening many talented and ambitious children.

The Executive Chairman of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Rilwanu Mohammed represented by the Agency’s Director, Disease Control, Malam Dahiru Mahmood expressed commitment to sustain the gains recorded in the last eight years.

President Rotary International, Bauchi State chapter, Nwobi Chukwunoso, assured the state government of his organisation’s commitment to offer the needed humanitarian support towards maintaining the country’s polio free status.

The group of volunteers together with Polio Survivors carrying banners with the message of ending polio in Nigeria, walked from the Bauchi Emir’s Palace through Yakubun Bauchi road to Kofar Nasarawa and culminated in the state Government House.