Shettima Tasks Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers, On Polio

GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State has berated council chairmen over inability to kick out the Wild Polio Virus (WPV1-3) from the state after regular immunisation. The virus has continued to spread to neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroun in the northeast sub-region of Nigeria. .

The scourge has also remained a health risk to northern Borno, comprising 10 council areas including Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere councils.

Speaking yesterday at flag off of the July 2012 polio immunisations and sensitisation of traditional leaders at Government House, Maiduguri, Shettima said chairmen and traditional leaders must rise to the challenges of immunisation of all children below the age of five. He warned that upon failure to achieve 100 per cent immunisation before the end of this year, the performance of council chairmen would be assessed.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr. Salma Anas Kolo, in her remark, said there was a polio outbreak in Konduga council area in the second quarter of the year. She noted that despite the efforts of government and other partner agencies, there is much to be done, as Maiduguri, Jere, Monguno and Konduga are still prone to the virus.