UNICEF has declared that Nigeria was on the verge of being declared polio-free. UNICEF Nigeria Country Representative, Mrs Jean Gough, disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday.
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Gough spoke when she addressed the planning meeting of the members of the Journalists Against Polio ( JAP), for the September 2013 sub-polio immunisation plus days ( SIPDs).
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"Nigeria is in the eyes of the world as we are close to the end of the last journey and it is the most difficult.
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'' More efforts should be in this direction to ensure the success of the last game. Polio is debilitating and it is a killer,'' she said.
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The UNICEF boss also maintained that polio eradication was possible in Nigeria.
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" The media, government, communities and other stakeholders are crucial in ensuring the success of the fight against polio .
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Gough also said UNICEF was determined to continue with its activities in other areas like tackling scourge of malnutrition, water and sanitation, among others.
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Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, commended UNICEF for being a "dependable and worthy,'' partner to Sokoto State.