Date: 2009-02-28

Courtesies,

I am highly delighted to be here today to personally do the official flag-off of the National Immunization Plus Day in Kwara State , organized by the State Ministry of Health. I understand it is the second round of the exercise in 2009. I, therefore, thank Almighty God for gathering us all here and indeed all Kwarans, to witness yet another historic event in the Medicare development of Kwara State .

Perhaps, I should remind this gathering of the importance attached to health issues by this administration since its first inauguration. If we would vividly recall, in my inaugural address on 29th May, 2003, I did not hide the interest of the then embryonic administration in health care delivery. That enthusiasm informed the articulation of our policy thrust for health in the Kwara State Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (KWASEEDS) developed in 2005, as "provide effective/efficient health care delivery to the people of Kwara State ". One of our strategies for realizing this vision was the radical eradication of polio meletius, triggered by the deadly wild polio virus, from our State.

Almost six (6) years on, an unprecedented success story in the fight against the menace has been recorded. Available current statistics, after the first round, in 2009, put the current immunization coverage in Kwara State at a weighted average of 95%. A weighted average of 66% was recorded for 2006. Compared with the 36.2% figure for 2004, you will agree with me that Kwara State is progressively addressing the menace, with a view to bring it to a halt.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is however sad to note that Nigeria ranks low globally in immunization coverage. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 report, this country belongs to the five worst afflicted nations. Others in her category include India and Pakistan to mention a few. No wonder, experts’ opinion has advised that 90% of all children in Nigeria would have to be reached and vaccinated, for transmission of polio to be grounded to a standstill in Nigeria . What this scenario means for the State Government and Local Governments is that much is yet required to be done, to avoid the negative devastating implications of the past neglect by successive administrations.

I should inform this gathering that all the Governors in Nigeria are not folding their arms or keeping their fingers crossed on the issue. Our forum is more determined than before to root the disease out of the Nigerian soil, with its devastating and paralyzing effect on innocent children. As such, no stone is being left unturned to reverse the trend and actualize our desire to have a healthy population. No amount of resources should be too much for this. As responsive and responsible administrations, therefore, the Nigeria Governors Forum has initiated some critical bailout strategies to address the menace. Some of which include the following:

 i.  Providing active leadership of polio eradication activities (including routine immunization) and primary health care, in general, in the State and directing Local Government Council Chairmen to ensure that all children under 5 years are reached and vaccinated during any polio eradication activities in the State;

ii.  Improving the operational quality at the Local Government Area level in our States by chairing quarterly meetings with all the Local Government Council Chairmen to closely review the planning, implementation, and results of polio eradication activities, routine immunization/primary health care and identify remedies for poor-performing Local Government Areas;

iii. Allocating additional financial and human resources to strengthen Primary Health Care so that it can sustain routine immunization services and improve implementation of campaigns (Immunization Plus Days) in the State;

iv. Reporting back to His Excellency, the President through NEC on a quarterly basis on the status of polio eradication efforts, including routine immunization, in the State;

v.  Improving Primary Health Care as a more holistic plan to addressing the issue of immunization through Community Health Insurance Scheme.

As the arrow head of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Kwara State Government embraces the strategies in toto and has already instituted a framework for adopting them forthwith in Kwara State .

Let me seize this opportunity to stress that all Kwarans and Nigerians in general should cooperate with Governors’ Forum to combat this disease. We must regard the extermination of the World Polio Virus (WPV) as an honest task that must be accomplished and promptly too.

Ladies and Gentlemen, before I end this address, it is necessary to allay the fear of Kwarans and indeed all Nigerians, on the distortion making the round on the immunization vaccines. The vaccines are safe and religion â€" and custom â€" friendly. The type of vaccines used in Nigeria equal those used in these other countries that have experimented the eradication of the disease. Our collective struggle in Nigeria will certainly stem the crippling effect of this disease on the future human capital development of this great nation. The fight against polio should therefore be by all; and we should all stand up for that war. Accordingly, I appeal to all stakeholders, especially International Donor Agencies, traditional rulers, market women and the entire civil society organizations to come up and ensure the success of this immunization exercise as they usually do.

For the current National Immunization Plus Days in Kwara State , a resounding awareness is desirable. But this is only feasible, with intensive mobilization of our people. For effective mobilization, all Government functionaries must participate actively. Consequently, all members of the State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries and Special Assistants are hereby directed to carry the campaign to their various Local Government Areas/constituencies.

With these remarks, I therefore have the singular honour and privilege to flag off the Kwara State National Immunization Plus Days. Wishing Kwara State successful immunization exercise.

Thank you all and God bless.