World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Nigeria a polio free country, after three consecutive years of non record of outbreak.
The organisation on its Twitter handle said the devastating disease was at the moment endemic in only two countries, thereby bringing the world one major step closer to achieving the goal of ending polio for good.
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Nigeria was said to have received the status after completing documentation which was accepted by the African Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication.
It said, “The outstanding commitment and efforts that got Nigeria off the endemic list must continue, to keep Africa polio-free. We must now support the efforts in Pakistan and Afghanistan so they soon join the polio-free world.”
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WHO Nigeria Country office, in a tweet, on Thursday, said, “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!”
While reacting to the development, the Director of Media in National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mohammed Ohitoto, said that it was a form of joy to Nigerians and the agency.
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Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the documentation as historical.
“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.
“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts. I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here. Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr Aliko Dangote and Mr Bill Gates. “Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he said.