Rivers State governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has flagged off the NGF quarterly  national crusade against polio.

In a special broadcast in Port Harcourt at the weekend, Governor Amaechi announced that the crusade is an initiative of the NGF geared towards eliminating the polio scourge.

“About a year ago, all the state governors in Nigeria signed an accord to create national awareness on the scourge and disability caused by poliomyelitis amongst our vulnerable children.”

“Nigeria is the only country in Africa still battling with preventable polio virus. The three others countries where polio is still endemic are Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

It’s in a bid to focus attention towards this debilitating disease that the Nigerian Governors Forum announced a schedule of national crusade to be led by the Governors’ against the disease.”Tthe governor said: “The first quarter of this campaign is targeted at men.

  It is code-named ‘Men Against Polio’ (MAP). This is because men wield tremendous influence in decision-making both at homes and in our communities, especially in matters of health.  The need for them to take responsibility for a polio free society must, therefore, be recognized.”

He assured the people of Rivers State of his administration’s commitment to the fight against polio and urged them to take advantage of the health facilities provided by government for the realization of increased success rate particularly in the fight against polio myelitis.

 In Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola joined the NGF campaign against polio, stressing that the state could not afford to stop the campaign against the deadly disease now.

Speaking at the programme  held at the Oshodi Sports Centre, he added that new babies are daily being born and therefore the immunization must continue to ensure that all children between the ages of 0 to five gets the immunization.

“What is more profound is that it is taking place simultaneously in all the 36 states which is a follow up to the resolve of the Governors’ Forum to lead from the front the campaign to eradicate Polio from Nigeria”.