1. Address Delivered At The Second Edition Of The Sensitization Campaign
On Polio Eradication, Organized By The State Ministry Of Health, Held In
Ado-Ekiti On November 17, 2011.
PROTOCOL
Distinguished Ekiti mothers, it is with high sense of responsibility that I address you this
morning at this unique occasion of the second edition of sensitization of stakeholders on polio
eradication campaign ceremony.
The first edition was held at this same venue on August 16, 2011. It was declared opened by His
Excellency the Governor of this State, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi. It is a follow up to the
resolution of the Governors at their forum, that this programme be held on quarterly basis to
sensitize all the stakeholders on the importance of a polio free society.
It is worrisome that in spite of the fact that Nigeria is often referred to as the giant of Africa, it is
still one of the three other countries of the world with record of wild polio virus, thereby
constituting a threat to the health of children.
It however gladdens my heart, ladies and gentlemen, to tell you proudly that your state is
completely free of the polio virus but that we need to watch our backs so that the virus does not
creep in from behind.
I want us to agree at this forum that we would do all within our powers to do the needful so as
for us to sustain the polio free status of the State.
While using this opportunity to appreciate the good works of our development partners in this
regard, I need to stress that our gathering this morning is to actually demonstrate the commitment
of the Ekiti State Government with the other 35 States of the Federation to kick polio out of
Nigeria completely.
As loving parents, it behoves us to be reminded that the only way to stop the transmission of
polio is through continuous vaccination. We must also be concerned that the eradication of polio
has become a key issue internationally and that the eyes of the whole world are on Nigeria.

2. The present administration in Ekiti State is committed to overall wellbeing of our people and that
is why issues about health is key in the 8 Points Agenda of this government. In furtherance of
this fact, the State has continued to organize the Free Health Mission, a programme that is
committed to strengthening the Routine Immunization and support all supplemental
immunization activities.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, let me at this juncture challenge all Ekiti women to
support Immunization programmes adequately to ensure that all the un immunized children are
fished out in our communities for the needful.
May I also inform you that we have continued to get the commitment of our partners such as
World Health Organization, UNICEF, Rotary International and National Primary Health Care
Development Agency, to continually champion the immunization exercises.
Be rightly informed that the Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health week (MNCHW), a bi-annual
routine health intervention through which women of child bearing age, newly born children and
children below the age of 5years are targeted for routine health care service delivery is coming
up between November 21 and 27, 2011.
May I at this juncture flag off this sensitization campaign to the glory of God and benefit of the
Mothers and Children in Ekiti State.
Thank you and God bless.
H.E. MRS. ‘FUNMI OLAYINKA
DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA
November 17, 2011