Date: 2017-10-24

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Sulu Gambari, has promised to lead the campaign on immunisation in partnership with other traditional rulers in Kwara.

The Emir stated this on Monday when he received members of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) who paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Ilorin.

Gambari dismissed the rumour against immunisation currently circulating in the country, describing it as not only unfounded and baseless, but barbaric, saying it was poor people that would fall prey to such speculations.

He added that "we all know the importance and relevance of doctors in the society; they are irreplaceable, therefore government must ensure prompt payment of their salaries."

The Emir appealed to the medical practitioners to stop the idea of embarking on strike and instead, seek amicable ways of resolving issues with government.

Earlier, the National Chairman of NMA, Dr Mike Ogirima, had told the Emir that the country was witnessing a decline in immunisation, which he said would mean danger to the nation's children.

He appealed to the monarch to reach-out to those that matter in the state with a view to sensitising their subjects on the need for them to be immunised.

He said "your voice counts a lot; we count on royal fathers to tell the mothers that there is no need for fears on immunisation."

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Yahaya, who was at the Emir's palace during the visit, also promised to join hands with Gambari on the campaign. NAN