The United Nations Children’s Fund has commended traditional rulers in northern Nigeria for their active roles in the fight against polio.

UNICEF Nigeria representative Cristian Munduate gave the appraisal in Bauchi on Wednesday during the quarterly review meeting of the Northern Traditional Leaders’ Committee on PHC Delivery.

The UNICEF official called for more collaborations with all stakeholders to overcome the challenges,  stop the nomadic movement and low routine immunisation coverage and ultimately achieve zero dose and polio-free Nigeria.

The UNICEF representative called on the traditional leaders to continue to do more to strengthen routine immunisation and kick polio completely out of Nigeria, stressing that UNICEF is committed and dedicated to implementing approaches in close coordination with other stakeholders.

Also, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad III, lauded Gov. Bala Mohammed for hosting the meeting. He also thanked the development partners like the Bill and Melinda Gate Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, WHO, UNICEF, Rotary, etc.

Health minister Ali Pate explained that President Bola Tinubu was clear in his vision for the country to be better than it was. 

According to him, 8,800 primary healthcare facilities are now being reached on a regular basis with quarterly disbursement of resources through the basic care provision fund.

He said about 4,000 primary healthcare centres all over Nigeria were being revitalised with the federal government’s support.

(NAN)