Promise kept, I have kicked polio from Nigeria, Buhari says

President Muhammadu Buhari says he has satisfied his promise to kick polio out of Nigeria, DAILY TIMES gathered.

This assertion was made in an online occasion across the continent, the World Health Organization declared Nigeria and the rest of Africa polio-free on Tuesday.

Buhari said at the event that he had guaranteed Nigerians that he would not hand over a Nigeria with polio to his successor, and he has fulfilled the promise to the fullest.

“After assuming office in 2015, I made a pledge to Nigerians that I would not  bequeath a polio-endemic country to my successor,” Buhari said

“This certification is, therefore, personal fulfillment of that pledge, not only to Nigerians but to all Africans.”

Buhari congratulated the entire continent and the African Union leadership for reaching this landmark.

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“At a time when the global community is battling with the COVID-19 pandemic, this achievement strengthens my conviction that the requisite political will, investments, and strategies, as well as citizens’ commitment, will flatten the pandemic curve.

“I can affirm the commitment of all African leaders in this course of action. We must guard this achievement jealously and ensure that we take all necessary steps to prevent the resurgence of this deadly disease”.

The president appreciated the partnership among all African nations towards this success.

He guaranteed that the global community that Nigeria will “sustain the energy and learn from the lessons gained from the polio annihilation to fortify our wellbeing frameworks, particularly primary healthcare, and organize wellbeing security”.

Present at the occasion was a longlist of WHO authorities; Robert Redfield, chief, United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Rose Leke, administrator, Africa Regional Certification Commission; Seth Berkley, CEO, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance; and some polio survivors.