Beautiful Gate Handicapped people center in Plateau state has appreciated the Government in Nigeria for their roles in combating polio infection in the country and for attaining Polio free status.
The Director of the center Ayuba Gufwan stated this in a press statement made available to newsmen in Jos Plateau state.
Ayuba disclosed that this year’s theme, ”Delivering on a Promise” rekindles the emphasis that Governments at all levels should implement all handicapped friendly legislations wherever such exist.
He said, States yet to pass such legislations are encouraged to enact and implement such laws so as to ensure People Living with Disabilities are not discriminated against and are provided with the enabling environment to achieve their potentials.
Gufwan further stressed that such opportunities should be included and not be limited to, accessibilities, educational and job opportunities among many other interventions currently lacking.
The Director of the Centre, noted that it is very important to appreciate the resilience, courage and determination of polio survivors over the years given the stigmatization and difficulties they face in their daily lives.
He hinted that as Nigeria has happily attained Polio free status, the attention of Government, polio eradication partners and other critical players is sought on the need for the comprehensive rehabilitation of all identifiable polio survivors to enable them leave productive lives, enabling them to contribute their quota in the nation building process.
Today, the global community celebrates Polio Day, a day set aside by Rotary International over a decade ago to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis and to raise awareness for polio vaccination and eradication of polio.
Rel/Bilkisu/Jos