The Executive Director, United Nations Fund (UNICEF) Mrs Ann Veneman has applauded Nigeria's effort towards polio eradication and called for sustenance of the efforts. Nigeria is one of the four polio endemic countries in the world.

The UNICEF director who was on a four- day working visit to Nigeria, spoke in Sokoto yesterday when she paid a courtesy visit to the sultan.

"Nigeria made progress this year but there is need to build on this if polio is to be eliminated in the country", she stated. She reiterated the need to ensure that all children are vaccinated against the disease and emphasised on the prevention of other child diseases.

Veneman harped on the issue of malnutrition which she noted has a high impact on children later in life. She also advocated the use of Malaria treated nets for the prevention of malaria as well as ensuring clean water and sanitation.

"Efforts should be intensified to ensure that children get all the interventions they need", she advised. Also speaking at the sultan's palace, Minister of State for Health Dr.Aliyu Idi Hong attributed the remarkable progress Nigeria has made to eliminate polio to the leadership of the sultan and commitment of the traditional institution.

"The sultan has been a very good ambassador of health and has been of great help not only on polio but also on other health issues", the minister said.

Responding, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III stressed the commitment of the traditional institution towards ensuring the well-being of the people.

"Our commitment to the welfare of our people is 100 percent and we are totally committed to the success of UNICEF programmes and other programmes that would impact positively on the lives of our women and children", he said. The sultan made a case for each local government area in the country to have a comprehensive and fully functional health care centre where pregnant women and children can get the required medical attention.