Time not to celebrate on polio

SIR: With the latest news that Nigeria marked one year anniversary polio free Nigeria, every right thinking Nigerian should celebrate this positive development though not without meticulous work of governments at all levels.

Of note is the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who laid the foundation for the fight against polio in Nigeria, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did his bit, the United Nations, UNICEF joint tireless efforts to nip the disease in the bud.

Nigerians are happy with this development and we hope that the achievement will be sustained. Similarly, we should not go back to sleep taking the event in Sierra Leone for example where Ebola was said to be eradicated and afterward resurfaced as a lesson.

Noteworthy is President Muhammadu Buhari’s vaccination of his grandchild against polio, which we believed would motivate people in the Northern part of the country where the decease is prevalent.

The impact of polio on its victims cannot be over emphasized. We urge our governments and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of this great achievement towards total eradication.