Jonathan Pledges $60million for Polio Eradication In Two Years

President Goodluck Jonathan announced Saturday in Perth, Western Australia that the Federal Government will commit a total of $60 Million Dollars over the next two years to the task of eradicating polio completely from Nigeria.

Speaking at a Global Polio Eradication Initiative event at the ongoing Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, President Jonathan said that $30 Million Dollars will be committed annually by the Federal Government to the polio eradication effort over the next two years.

The President said that he will inaugurate a Special Task Force headed by the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mohammed Pate early next month to oversee and coordinate a national campaign to totally eradicate polio from Nigeria within 24 months as he pledged during a recent meeting with Mr. Bill Gates.

“As a leader, I don’t want to see polio in our children, especially knowing fully well that it is a disease that we can completely eradicate and prevent. We will work with the global community to ensure its eradication,” President Jonathan said.

The Australian Prime Minister and incoming Chairperson of the Commonwealth, Ms. Julia Gillard who presided over the event, pledged that the Australian government will commit a further $50 million to the global polio eradication effort while the British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron announced that Britain will give an additional 40 million pounds sterling.

Ms. Gillard said that the event was to demonstrate the Commonwealth’s commitment to the global eradication of polio.

In his own remarks, the British Prime Minister said that a polio-free world was within the grasp of the international community. “What is needed is the political will to finish the job,” Mr. Cameron said.

The event was also attended by the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Stephen Harper and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.

At its conclusion, President Jonathan, Ms. Gillard, Mr. Cameron, Mr. Harper and Prime Minister Gillani joined other Commonwealth Heads of Government to continue their deliberations at an exclusive retreat in Kings Park, Perth.

The summit will end on Sunday after a concluding Executive Session of the participating Heads of Government.

President Jonathan is due back in Abuja early on Monday.

By Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja