Nigeria News

24 July 2006 -- Sardauna Local Government Area (LGA), home of the Mambilla Plateau – famous for its unique settlers, steep inclines, lush vegetation and temperate weather, is one of the five hardest to reach areas in Taraba, a state which despite its geography, appears set to declare victory in the task of eradicating poliomyelitis from Nigeria. Since July 2005, the state has not had a confirmed case of the wild polio virus, in spite of that year’s tally of 133 acute flaccid paralysis cases, and 25 cases as at June 9, 2006.

24 July 2006 -- The faint mark on the wall showing that no child in the house was eligible for polio vaccination was misleading. Idris Mohammed , motorcycle mechanic and head of this household in Kofar Kudu Quarters of Jama’are, headquarters of the local government area (LGA) of the same name, confessed that his two wives used to drive away vaccinators, based on his instructions.

Abuja , 7 November 2006 -- A new World Health Organization (WHO) Representative has arrived in Abuja, Nigeria. He is Dr. Peter Eriki, immediate past WHO Representative in Kenya. He replaces Dr. Mohammed Belhocine, who has been reassigned from the country, after three years of service.

17 January 2007 - On November 12, 2006, District Head of Nahuche (Kekun Nahuche), witnessed the ward training of vaccination teams and participated in a mobilization training for ward heads and traditional birth attendants for the November Immunization Plus Days (IPDs). He was fully involved in the re-orientation of members of the Save Mothers and Children (SMAC), an NGO he presides over. At the end of the meetings, he personally served food to his visitors.

17 January 2007 - Two hours after the engine of his canoe failed on River Niger on October 3, 2006, Daniel Chibogwu Umeh, Anambra State epidemiologist was tired but not ready to give up on his determination to contribute his quota to halting the transmission of the wild polio virus (WPV) in Nigeria. He walked into his makeshift accommodation in Nzam, headquarters of Anambra West Local Government Area, where he stayed back to coordinate the Integrated Measles Campaign in the area.

17 January 2007 - At 96, Alhaji Mohammed Indene Abdullahi, continues to work hard as District Head of 60 communities and Chairman of the Village Health Committee (VHC) in Mada Central, Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. He goes house to house to promote greater access to routine immunization (RI) services by his people.

23 April 2007 - On November 3, 1997, Ron Van Den Berg, promised during a flag-off ceremony at the Obio Health Centre, that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) where he was then Managing Director, would continue to support National Immunization Days (NIDs). The company has not looked back since then, spending over $1 million to date in support of immunization activities and the polio eradication initiative.

24 July 2007 - On Saturday, February 24, 2007, the Epidemiological Unit, Sokoto State Ministry of Health hosted 71 religious leaders. It marked the beginning of a new phase in the collaboration of key stakeholders to interrupt transmission of the wild polio virus in the state. The atmosphere was businesslike and cordial.

Garba Kadi, Chairman of the State Immunization Team who coordinated proceedings, said it was the first time key religious leaders came together in the state in such number and diversity. The session was a remarkably frank brainstorming session.

Birnin Kebbi, 30 July 2007 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Peter Eriki has commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua for her commitment to the immunization programme in the country. The Rep. made the remark during a meeting with the First Lady in Birnin Kebbi, shortly before she flagged off the July 2007 Immunization Plus Days (IPDs) in the town.

Abuja, 17 August 2007 -- The new Nigerian Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange has said that women and children as well as malaria control would be the Ministry’s priorities during her tenure. Prof. Grange disclosed this when the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Peter Eriki paid her a courtesy call in her office and also to brief her on the forthcoming WHO Africa Regional Committee meeting.