JUST IN: WHO declares Nigeria Polio free

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Nigeria is now free of Polio, following the completion of documentation for the free status. It added that the devastating disease only exists in two Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The UN health agency disclosed this on Thursday via the Twitter handle of the regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo.

According to WHO, the documentation has been accepted by the African Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication.

“Today, Nigeria’s complete documentation for Wild Polio virus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC). “It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme,’’ WHO said.

Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the documentation as historical.

“Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by (ARCC); the Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.

“Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.

“I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here.

“Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr Aliko Dangote and Mr Bill Gates.

“Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria,’’ he said.