Date: 2016-09-21

Mrs Zahra Omar, Head of Service (H0S), Kwara, said the recent discovery of Polio outbreak in Nigeria is a disappointing development, despite all efforts to eradicate the disease.

She made the remarks on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to her office in Ilorin by the Rotary Club of Ilorin. Omar, however, expressed optimism in the eradication of Polio in the country.

She also commended the efforts of Rotary for assisting the state government in the areas of provision of water and eradication of polio.

According to her, the state government is having a feel of Rotary's humanitarian activities in the area of health and provision of basic amenities in some communities.

Earlier in his address, the leader of Rotary group's, Olorunisola Julius said the NGO is committed to complete eradication of polio in Nigeria. He noted that the Club is embarking on vaccination and massive sensitisation programme.

"Rotary Club of Ilorin will be willing to assist the state government in the areas of health, potable water supply and education, especially supply of laboratory equipments to schools in the state," he said.

Julius, who noted that the visit was to further cement the relationship between Rotary and the state government, added that Rotary will complement government's efforts and partner with it in some key areas.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that August 11, 2016 was supposed to be a historic day for the global effort to eradicate the polio virus. It would have been two years since someone on the African continent last contracted the wild-polio virus; if the continent had made it without a case for a third year.

The World Health Organisation could have certified it as polio-free, and Africa would have joined four other WHO regions – the Americas, Europe, the Western Pacific, and South-East Asia – in eradicating wild polio.

However, Nigerian health officials announced on Thursday, Aug. 11 the same day they expected to celebrate the anniversary; that two children have been paralyzed by wild polio in Borno.

"It has set us back," said Isaac Adewole, the Nigerian health minister, saying Borno will now undergo three rounds of emergency immunisations.

NAN