Nigeria News

13 March 2002 --For Nigeria to meet the global target of interrupting transmission of wild poliovirus by the end of this year, it has been recommended that the country conducts two rounds of Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs) in April and May. These will be done in the whole states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano and Jigawa as well as parts of Borno, Benue, Niger, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which are considered as high risk areas for polio transmission.

22 April 2002 -- Nigeria requires an estimated budget of about US$ 53.4 million to implement its polio eradication activities this year. The country and nine others, where wild poliovirus is still transmitted, have till the end of this year to stop its transmission, to pave way for eradication of polio and certification of a polio-free world in 2005.

However, of this amount, about US$ 38.4 million has been realised in actual funds and pledges from Government and its Partners in the Polio Eradication Initiative, leaving a funding gap of about US$15 million.

Kano, Nigeria: 2 October 2004-- The Executive Governor of Kano State, Nigeria, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has reiterated that the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) is safe for consumption by children. He has consequently directed all Kano indigenes and indeed all Nigerians to ensure that their children below five years of age are immunized during the forthcoming National Immunization Days (NIDs) scheduled for 9th - 12th October 2004, as well as in subsequent rounds.

10 October 2004  --Nigerians have been urged to stay indoors from 6.00 am till 1.00 pm on Saturday, 9th October 2004, to enable vaccination teams immunize children below five years of age with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), as they move from house to house during the forthcoming four-day National Immunization Days (NIDs) which starts on that day.

Abuja, 5 April 2005-- The developed countries of the world and Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) have been called upon to provide more resources for health, especially to African countries, so as to enable Africa achieve the health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo made the appeal in Abuja, Nigeria, at a joint Ministerial media briefing to mark this year's World Health Day in the country.

6 April 2005 -- They are both over 70 years of age, but for Adedehin Ebunolu Adefeso, past District Governor (PDG) of District 9110 (1995-1996), and Jonathan Majiyagbe, former President of Rotary International(2003-2004), polio eradication is such a strong unifying force for the club and they have devoted their lives to promoting its ideals.

6 April 2005  -- Enthusiasm and commitment for polio eradication was high at the flag-off of the second round of National Immunization Days at Talata Marafa local government area in Zamfara State. World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes Sambo, joined Professor E. Lambo, Federal Minister of Health and His Excellency the Executive Governor of Zamfara State Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura to launch the final push to stop polio for good in Zamfara state.

"Reach every country, district, woman with proven health interventions" - WHO Regional Director for Africa

On the sixth attempt, Mike Ajayi, teacher at Ajoke Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin, got through to one of the telephone numbers scrolled on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) station listed as open lines for parents of missed children to call during national polio immunization days. WHO Kwara State Coordinator, Dr. Omotosho Musa organized for a rapid response team to vaccinate Ajayi’s new born baby, as well as 19 of his neighbour’s children who were missed by the team.

Hamisu Ahmadu and Ahmadu Sani had no idea of a law making it compulsory for all children under five years to be vaccinated against polio when they came in their wheelchairs to the Katsina Central Market June 14. But they had a strong message - they didn't want others to become polio victims like them.