Gowon, Chime hail Nigeria over guinea worm eradication

Raphael Ede

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state have congratulated the nation on her recent certification as a Guinea worm-free country by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The duo spoke on Monday when the former Head of State paid visit to the Government House, Enugu, in his capacity as the president and chairman of the Yakubu Gowon Center to solicit for government support in the fight against malaria and lymphatic filariasis in the state.

Chime expressed gratitude to The Carter Center, Yokubu Gowon Center, the Federal Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the total eradication of the disease in the country.
Represented by the Secretary to the state government, Mr. Amaechi Okolo, Chime thanked Gowon for his efforts to bring peace and development in the country.

He noted that Enugu state enjoyed unprecedented relationship with the Yakubu Gowon Center in the eradication of Guinea Warm diseases, adding that the state had already started the distribution of treated nets to the people.
The governor noted that the two diseases, malaria and filariasis, were endemic in the state and assured the visitors that “Enugu state will cooperate and give the needed assistance in the fight for their elimination.”
Earlier, in his speech, Gowon told the governor that he was in Enugu to solicit his assistance and support in the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and malaria diseases found to be endemic in the state.

He requested for at least two project vehicles to support the implementation of the programme in the state.
Other requests he made included approval and release of state National Tropical Disease budget of N5 million, financial support to patients with elephantiasis and hydrocele diseases.
Gowon used the occasion to announce that World Health Organisation (WHO) had certified Nigeria as free from Guinea warm disease and commended the Carter Center and donor agencies and stakeholders who contributed in one way or the other to achieve the success.