The foundation of Anambra born billionaire, Sir Emeka Offor, says no less than $10 million has been committed to the eradication of polio in Nigeria.
In a statement, the foundation says the effort was possible with assistance from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The statement was in commemoration of Nigeria’s World polio-free status which the Africa’s Regional Certification Committee (ARCC) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared.
“I am delighted with the great news and I join millions of Nigerians in celebrating this great achievement.
“For more than a century, Polio has continued to ravage the whole world.
“In 1988 alone, about 350,000 cases of polio were estimated in 125 countries.
“Today, history has been made in our Country, with this pronouncement.
“I am happy to see that this promise is beginning to materialise.
“At the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, we have made concerted efforts in partnership with Rotary International to drive public awareness campaigns, immunisation outreaches, advocacy and successful fundraising within Nigeria and abroad, for polio eradication.
“We appreciate our great partners, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation as well as the Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee.
“We appreciate the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Andrew Young Foundation.
“We equally appreciate the traditional institution especially the Sultan of Sokoto; the Nigerian Rotary Family, all health workers, volunteers and supporters of this commendable cause.
“While we rejoice, we must continue surveillance, advocacy, routine immunisation, field supervision and maintenance of personal hygiene.
“Notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic, we must do our best to sustain the momentum and keep polio at zero level, as we await the regional certification of Africa in August 2020,’’ he said.