The European Union says it will provide additional N3.4 billion to support Nigeria's intensified polio eradication programme. A statement by the European Commission to Nigeria yesterday said that the fund would be channeled through the World Health Organi-sation (WHO).

The statement signed by the commission's Press and Information Officer, Mr kelechi Onyemaobi noted that Nigeria had recorded substantial progress in polio eradication following intensified efforts.

The statement stated that polio cases had declined by 75 per cent in Nigeria as a result of strategic efforts in 2007 focusing on high-risk areas.

It said that the type 1 polio virus - the most dangerous strain - had been reduced by 90 per cent. The statement noted that Kano State which had the highest type 1 polio virus, recorded only five cases in 2007 compared with 304 cases in 2006.

The statement quoted Mr Robert Van Der Meulen, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria as expressing satisfaction with the commission's involvement in Nigeria's quest to protect its children from polio paralysis. The EU had previously committed 58.72 million pounds to polio eradication in Nigeria. (NAN)