5 reasons why polio resurfaced in Nigeria again [LIST]

Last week, two cases of polio virus were discovered in conflict-ravaged Borno state, north east Nigeria – the first cases in two years. 

The cases were a 15 month-old boy and a two year old girl reported in in Gwoza and Jere local government areas of the state. Officials say they will likely be paralyzed for the rest of their lives.

Health workers on duty to vaccinate children in Nigeria

A sad tale after the joint efforts of the last administration, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to defeat the virus in Nigeria.

READ ALSO: Bill Gates disappointed over the recent outbreak of polio in Nigeria

NAIJ.com lists five reasons why the polio virus resurfaced again in Nigeria.

Read below:

1. Conflict in the North east

The ongoing insurgency by Islamist group, Boko Haram has contributed in no small measure to bring back the polio virus within our shores. Indeed, health workers cannot go conflict-ravaged zones to administer anti-polio vaccines to babies and children within the area. Also, because of the heavy fighting in the region, most hospital facilities in the local towns and villages have not been spared as Boko Haram campaign targets anything western.

2. Hard to reach communities

Northern Nigeria has lots of hard-to-reach communities because of the huge land mass and the underdevelopment that has bedeviled the region for decades. International groups who take the risks to reach out to remote localities, are often times frustrated and stranded due to no access roads to people in those areas. Many of these locals are holed up in their abode without knowing what obtains in the outside world.

3. Religious beliefs

Extremist groups like Boko Haram whose name loosely means ‘Western education is sin’ drum it into the ears of the locals forcefully that they should reject anything western. Most times, the consequence of disobeying this order is death, leaving the villagers with no choice but to adhere. The groups are very good at brainwashing the locals by misrepresenting the true teachings of Islam.

4. Poverty

One can only imagine the poor living conditions of those in a war-torn area like in the North east. Especially in  a situation where Boko Haram employ the “rhetoric of plenty” as a tool to cajole those yet to accept or believe in their ideals. The group is known for offering feasts of meat and cold drinks to potential recruits and supporters thereby buying the locals to their side

5. An incompetent government

The fire brigade approach often times employed by the Nigerian government is to say the least appalling. The present administration has shown yet again that it is not ready for governance. Under its watch, Nigeria has falling behind in virtually every sector that the last administration has made progress. The recent promise by the government that 56, 363, 618 children would be vaccinated between October and November this year clearly shows that the government is not proactive but reactive.

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