Governor Mimiko to receive best award on immunization programme.

[FMINigeria]

                        The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has been nominated for an International Award as the best State Governor to have carried out immunization exercise on polio eradication programme in the country.

The Immunization Adviser for the Nigeria Leadership Challenge Grant Management (NGLCGM), Dr Sikirulai Giwa, disclosed this at the Governor's Office in Akure, when he led a team of his officials to Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his office.

Dr. Giwa explained that the entire country was divided into six zones, adding that Ondo State came first both in the South West and in the whole country, and that the award attracts five hundred thousand USD, he said.

While saying that the grant award is for the best State in the polio immunization programme and for the personal recognition of the Governor of the State, Dr. Giwa expressed the hope that Ondo State would sustain its commitment to the eradication of Polio Virus.

The Immunization Adviser, who lauded the Nigerian Governor's Forum for demonstrating enough commitment to the immunization programme across the country, also noted that the State Governors had been very remarkable in their support and contribution to the Society for Family Health in all its programmes.

In his response, Governor Olusegun Mimiko stressed the commitment of his administration to the eradication of polio virus in Ondo State, saying that focus on polio eradication means a renewed commitment at the leadership level.  According to him, the virus would not only be totally eradicated from the State, but his government would continue to make choices that will wipe out poverty from Ondo State.  He decried a situation where the level of poverty would deny someone from accessing quality health care delivery, and where giving birth to a baby becomes a matter of luck, as the pregnant woman is not sure of what will be the outcome of her labour.

While promising that Ondo State would pay its counterpart contribution to the immunization programme, Dr. Mimiko attributed the problem of health care delivery in the local government areas to lack of capacity in terms of funding qualified personnel to handle their health programmes.

He acknowledged the credible commitment of the Society for Family Health team in administering quality health care delivery to the people of the country.

Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria