Germany commits N12.7bn to fight polio

Germany has signed an agreement to support polio eradication efforts in Nigeria with 29.9 million (about N12.7 billion).

It is the ninth financial support Germany has extended to Nigeria’s effort against polio in hopes of seeing the country rid of the virus.

Only three countries still record infections around the world. Nigeria’s two-year streak with a new infection was set back after the disease emerged in communities newly liberated from Boko Haram, where health care services have not reached due to insurgency.

It has since then marked a fresh year without a new recorded infection.

Nigerian government commitment to polio has dropped in naira numbers in the past two years: from N9.8 billion in 2016 to N4.2 billion in 2017, and an allocation of N4.1 billion in 2018.

Deputy head of mission for Germany in Nigeria, Regine Hess, signed for her country at a ceremony in Abuja, while foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Onyeama and executive director of the National Primary Development Agency, signed for Nigeria.

Onyeama commended Germany’s support in polio eradication, noting “Age-long, warm relationship” between both countries and their leaders.

Hess said Germany hoped Nigeria would soon become a polio-free nation.

Reacting to the agreement, Shuaib highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to the fight against polio over time and commended continued international support. Health Care Faisal Shuaib,

Office Photo: of President’s Wife From left: Former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen; Representative of Wife of the President, Mrs. Gimbiya Dogara, wife of Speaker House of Reps; and the representatives of ECWA Church, Garki, Rev. Samson Jonah, FCT CAN chairman,...