Kano — President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has initiated a reward system that would encourage folks in rural areas to take part in the routine immunization programme, as part of efforts to eradicate polio in all the 44 local governments of Kano State.

At a mid-year review meeting in Kano, at the weekend, Dangote said there was urgent need to introduce a reward and punishment system to stamp out the menace from the state.

He therefore promised that henceforth women who produce their children for immunization against polio would be rewarded with free Dangote household products like noodles, pasta, sugar etc.

It would be recalled that in a tripartite collaboration, the Dangote Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Kano State Government, had last November signed a Memorandum of Understanding to embark on strategies aimed at eradicating polio from the state.

The partnership agreement also includes strengthening immunization as a core component of primary health care.

During the review meeting, Mr. Dangote also proposed a more regular meeting of stakeholders to assess the strategy in order to accelerate the pace of progress recorded so far.

Speaking at the meeting, chairman of the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, said he was elated over the progress recorded so far, and that his Foundation would provide all necessary supports to make sure the programme succeeds.

Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, on his part, said the programme has got the political will to succeed, and that the efforts of partners are yielding positive results as the number of polio cases has reduced three, from 28 in 2012.

He also said the best local governments are to be rewarded to encourage local government administration in the programme.

Minister State for Health Dr Ali Pate said the programme despite the February killing of health workers in Kano.

The Emir of Kano Ado Bayero, who was represented by Sarkin Yakin Kano Wada Aliyu, said members of the traditional institution need adequate training in order to be able to play their roles properly.