Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ABUJA222
2009-02-06 13:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Abuja
Cable title:  

NIGERIA: GOVERNORS PROMISE TO KEEP THEIR STATES POLIO-FREE

Tags:  TBIO KISL PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KOCI EAID NI 
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VZCZCXRO4853
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #0222/01 0371332
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 061332Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5208
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS PRIORITY 0769
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000222 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/IHA DANO WILUSZ
USAID FOR GH/HIDN ELLYN OGDEN, RICHARD GREENE
AND FOR AFR/SD MARY HARVEY
CDC FOR NCIRD/GID/DEEB SUE GERBER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KISL PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KOCI EAID NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GOVERNORS PROMISE TO KEEP THEIR STATES POLIO-FREE

REF: A. 08 ABUJA 2515

B. 08 ABUJA 2129

C. 08 ABUJA 1591

D. 08 ABUJA 815

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000222

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR OES/IHA DANO WILUSZ
USAID FOR GH/HIDN ELLYN OGDEN, RICHARD GREENE
AND FOR AFR/SD MARY HARVEY
CDC FOR NCIRD/GID/DEEB SUE GERBER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KISL PGOV PREL SOCI ECON KOCI EAID NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: GOVERNORS PROMISE TO KEEP THEIR STATES POLIO-FREE

REF: A. 08 ABUJA 2515

B. 08 ABUJA 2129

C. 08 ABUJA 1591

D. 08 ABUJA 815


1. (SBU) Summary: Sustained engagement by the Ambassador and other
senior staff has yielded positive results in the battle to eradicate
polio in Nigeria. The Ambassador's advocacy with Kwara State
Governor Bukola Saraki has led the Governor's Forum to give polio
eradication a priority and to engage in a more vigorous partnership
with the Ministry of Health. On February 2, the Government of
Nigeria (GON) and 36 states adopted a five-point strategy that
mirrors the interagency recommendations that the Ambassador
presented to the Governor for combating the wild polio virus (WPV),
including pledging to make their states polio free. These are
encouraging signs and may lead to improved results in polio
eradication. The interagency recommendations are listed in par 5.
End Summary.


2. (SBU) The Ambassador met on December 17 with Kwara State Governor
and Governors' Forum Chair Bukola Saraki and advocated that strong
local leadership was necessary for eradicating the WPV in the
country (reftel A). Saraki promised to include polio on the January
28, 2009 agenda for the Governors' Forum and requested specific
recommendations that would advance the fight against polio. On
December 28, 2008 the Ambassador sent a letter to Saraki containing
a six-point recommendation, the list of which is provided in
paragraph 5 below. (Comment: Saraki as Chairman of the Nigerian
Governors' Forum is playing a leading role in rallying the support
of his fellow governors to stop the spread of the polio epidemic.
End comment.) Saraki followed through on his promise to the
Ambassador and took actions that have resulted in several
pronouncements by the Governors' Forum and the GON. He also sent a
follow up letter to the Ambassador. (Comment: Mission is optimistic

that, if implemented, these pronouncements will result in
significant progress in the fight against polio. End comment).


3. (U) The media reported on January 29 (and confirmed by GON
contacts and by Saraki in a conversation with the Ambassador) that
the governors at the Forum agreed to partner with the Ministry of
Health to stop the polio epidemic and improve primary health care
delivery at the state and local levels. In addition, the
newly-appointed Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Osotimehin,
gave a presentation and offered to work more closely with the
governors on polio. The governors for their part promised to remain
actively engaged and encouraged Local Government Area Councils to
provide leadership and periodic status updates on polio at the State
Executive Council meetings. On February 2, in another positive sign
of continued progress, the GON and 36 states adopted a five-point
strategy that mirrors the interagency document presented by the
Ambassador on combating WPV.


4. (U) COMMENT: Team Nigeria is encouraged that the Governors'
Forum and the GON have given polio eradication top priority and
adopted a strategy for tackling it. We are also pleased that the
newly-appointed Minister of Health addressed the Forum and briefed
governors on the polio situation and what needs to be done to combat
it successfully. Mission Nigeria has worked closely with the new
Minister and the leadership at the National Primary Health Care
Development Agency from the time of their appointment pushing
successfully for much better harmony among concerned agencies of the
Nigerian government. We are optimistic that this new synergy and
focus will lead to improved coordination and local ownership of the
polio campaign, and ultimately in better results in disrupting the
virus' spread in Nigeria. The Ambassador and other senior Mission
staff will continue to engage governors, key federal officials and
other stakeholders and encourage sustained action on polio.


5. (U) Summary of the interagency recommendations presented by the
Ambassador:

-- State Polio Taskforces, through Commissioners of Health, can
regularly report to their respective Governors on the polio
situation in their states on the preparation for, the conduct of
anti-polio campaigns, and the results achieved. They could also
coordinate activities with neighboring states, the Federal
Government, and donor implementing partners;

-- More advanced pre-planning as well as more state funding,
particularly with transportation could help in the better execution
of polio campaigns in each LGA;

-- Cold storage facilities for vaccines are needed as well as more

ABUJA 00000222 002 OF 002


training for vaccine workers. Public awareness is such a big part
of the success of these campaigns, so more public mobilization by
LGA authorities can help achieve better success;

-- Oversight of the campaign by senior state officials on the ground
will help you assess the success of the campaigns;

-- Public recognition by Governors of LGAs that have successful
campaigns can encourage better outcomes and address challenges for
future successful challenges; and

-- Making routine immunization a part of your state
program can have significant impact on improving the
health of children. Maintenance of child health cards are
key for proper immunization coverage. Incentives may
need to be devised to encourage mothers to safeguard
these cards, particularly for children above age one.


6. This cable was cleared by Consulate Lagos.

SANDERS