By Musa Ubandawaki
SOKOTO: The Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, has declared that Nigeria’s successful eradication of the wild polio virus demonstrates that even the most difficult public health challenges can be overcome through strong political leadership, community participation and sustained partnerships.
Russell made the remark on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Sokoto State Government as part of her mission to Nigeria. She was received on behalf of Governor Ahmed Aliyu by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Idris Muhammad Gobir.
The UNICEF chief noted that Nigeria’s certification as free of the wild polio virus in 2020 remains one of the country’s greatest public health achievements and a clear indication that coordinated action can deliver transformative results.
“Today, our task is to protect these gains by ensuring that every child receives routine immunisation, every missed child is reached, and disease surveillance remains strong,” she said.
