The wife of Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, has attributed the successful elimination of Polio in Nigeria to effective contribution of our traditional leaders.
She made the statement at the occasion of the 2020 World Polio Day, which held at the Emirs palace, Argungu on Wednesday.
Dr Bagudu expressed the wise counsel of traditional rulers in Kebbi state and other parts of the country, individually and collectively through the Northern Traditional Leaders Committee (NTLC).
She commended the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera for his role, acclaimed internationally to countering misinformation, which helped to overcome boycott of the exercises.
She equally appreciated the vital role played by other government, agencies, civil societies and partners.
Bagudu commended the governor, Abubakar Bagudu for prompt release of funds and provision of necessary support that made it possible to attaining 80 percent coverage of polio immunization in Kebbi state, as well as acknowledged the political will of President Muhammdu Buhari.
She urged parents and health workers to sustain the landmark eradication of polio in Nigeria.
On cancer, the Director of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), Dr Bagudu said that 26 women die of cervical cancer daily and “As it stands, Nigeria has the highest cancer death rate in Africa. Cervical cancer can be eliminated by a simple vaccine against the human papilloma virus- HPV”, she counseled
Recently elected as the Director of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), she used the occasion to announce that the country is set to commence the vaccine against the disease in 2030 sequel to the adoption of a global strategy by World Health Organization (WHO), to eliminate the cervical cancer by 2030.
She stressed the need to learn from the polio experience of ensuring adequate enlightenment campaigns in communities in order to achieve success of the exercise.
She also revealed that, her foundation, Medicaid Cancer Foundation in collaboration with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), have been working with local and international partners to ensure the vaccination became a reality for women.
“In Yauri, Kebbi state, with funding from Jaiz Foundation, we pioneered a pilot vaccination study for 100 girls, the findings will be published soon in a peer review journal.
“Thus, it is my prayer that the fight against cervical cancer, using the HPV vaccine receives the same momentum that polio has received in Nigeria,” she said.
In his remarks, Dr Razi Muktar, representative of WHO, acknowledged the role played by the traditional institution in the fight against the disease, especially the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera.
Muktar assured of continued support to Kebbi State in implementing all intervention programs in order to improve its health indices, especially routine immunization.
“We shall also support the state government to deliver an integrated service delivery and strengthen primary health services,” the representative assured.
A representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Alhaji Shehu Abdul-Ganiyu stressed the need for continued polio immunization in spite of polio free certification indices of the country.
He also tasked traditional and religious leaders as well as other stakeholders to sustain advocacy and mobilization of women to attend ante -natal care facilities nearest to their communities.
The Chief of Field office UNICEF Sokoto, Muhammadeen Fall represented by Mustapha Illo, said the organization was always glad to be associated with Kebbi government and acknowledged the strong leadership role played by governor Bagudu with traditional leaders in the elimination of Polio in the state.
“Eventually we have succeeded after 30 years of struggle and battle to end polio”, he averred.
On his part, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Mera commended all those in position of authority and development partners for their support to end polio in Nigeria.
He particularly commended the commitment of Bagudu for his unrelenting efforts and for giving the traditional and religious leaders opportunity to contribute in the fight to end polio in state. Disclosing that other state have since come to study the experience.
“The fight to eradicate polio is a collective one, hence the need to appreciate all for their wonderful contribution.”
Mera also assured of the readiness of all traditional rulers across the state to continue to support and sustain the fight against poliomyelitis and other policies and programmes of the government.
The Commissioner for Health, Jafar Mohammed similarly lauded the efforts of Governor Bagudu, Dr Bagudu, national and international partners, for their individual and collective support for the fight to end polio in the state.
Highlight of the event was a drama by polio survivors stressing the need for immunization, followed by exchange of awards and presentation of certificates between Bagudu and his royal Highness, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera.
Similarly active stakeholders who made various contributions to the eradication of polio in the state were presented with awards of appreciation.
They include, Dr. Abubakar Kaoje, Gulman Gulma, Muhammdu Bashar, Mai Arewan Gabas Yeldu, Alhaji Lawal Kakubu, Muzan Bayawa, Murtala Muhammed Kaka, Sarkin Shikon Kamba, Alhaji Muhammd Zarumai .
Others were, Muhammedeen Fall, Chief Field Office Unicef Sokoto, Alhaji Yusuf Sauwa, State Health Educator , Limamin Kabi, Muhammdu Tukur and Dr. Abubakar Muhammd Wali.
