Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has described Nigeria’s Wild Polio Virus (WPV) eradication as a journey of purposeful leadership, hard work, passion and commitment. 

He stated this on the agency’s verified account, @NphcdaNG on Wednesday. 

The African Regional Commission for Certification of Polio Eradication, ARCC), earlier certified Nigeria’s Wild Polio Virus Free Documentation after 30 years.

Nigeria attained wild polio-free status after meeting all the criteria for certification, which include three years of non-detection of any wild polio virus case in the country.

”The leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari and  traditional leaders, completed the success story.

“Achieving the eradication of the WPV is a story of triumph.

“Mr President vaccinated his grandchild in the public glare added value to the credibility of the vaccine. Many people took a cue and were prepared to have their own children immunised.

”The greatest life changing moment towards polio eradication in Nigeria was when the agency began leveraging on technology,” he stated. 

He said that the agency made used of Geographic Information System (GIS), at the Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) to capture settlements and ensure that no child was left behind.

“Since bringing the traditional institution on board, the polio programme grew in leaps  and bounds. Learning what works and what doesn’t was critical,” he explained.

“By this milestone, we hope their families know their loved ones did not die in vain. We appreciate their selflessness and have them in our thoughts always,” he further stated. 

With the certification, Nigeria has pulled out of other countries which were globally identified as wild polio endemic countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.