18 March 2004
Lagos — Hope on whether the Kano State Government would reconsider its suspension of polio vaccination in the state was dashed yesterday as elders in the state led by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero backed the state's decision.
The elders vowed not to yield to both internal and external pressure on the controversial suspension of the vaccination in the state at a one day stakeholder forum held on the issue.
With this development, the state will not participate in the programme aimed at eradicating the disease despite Federal Government and Jamaatul Nasaril Islam (JTI) assurance.
The director press and public relation to the state governor, Alhaji Sule Ya'u Sule, who briefed newsmen shortly after the close door meeting pointed out that the decision was taken after serious consultation.
He, however, explained that the decision followed the federal governments refusal to convey the "Kano Polio Vaccine to South Africa, for further clarification."
According to him, the government would source for its polio vaccines from other internationally recognised pharmaceutical firms to control the disease.
"We have a social responsibility to the people and therefore, cannot play politics with their health. And no amount of pressure would make us take a wrong decision", he added.
Speaking in the same vein, Sheik Aminuddeen Abu bakar, one of the celamas that attended the meeting said "we were all convinced that suspension of the vaccination was taken in the best interest of the people."
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