Similarly, the committee also honoured other traditional rulers as well as religious and community leaders for the important roles they played in the fight against polio in their respective states.
The awardees were honoured during the 2023 National Polio Field Workers’ Award Ceremony held at the Tahir Guest Palace, Kano.
Speaking at the occasion, the Rotary International President, Ms Jennifer Jones, said the idea behind organising the National Polio Field Workers’ Award was to celebrate and reward those field workers who distinguished themselves in the fight against polio in Nigeria.
Jones, who was represented at the occasion by Ijeoma Pearl Okoro, Past District Governor Endowment & Major Gifts Adviser for Africa, said the program was aimed at appreciating the ordinary people at the frontline of the struggle to eradicate polio.
“The program is designed to reward those who go the extra mile, those who do just a little more than is required, and those who have shown the ability to be creative and think outside the box with innovative strategies which improve the richness of our program,” she said.
The president lauded the organisers of the program and called on partners to continue to support the foundation to sustain the program with a view to boosting the morale of field workers.
In his remark, the chairman, NNPC, Joshua Hassan, said even though it’s impossible to reward those who have made significant contributions to the success of polio eradication in Nigeria, the event attempts to motivate and encourage everyone who is willing to put just that little extra into getting the job done.
He said the current target according to Global Partnership for Polio Eradication, is to stop all transmission of polio by the year 2026 adding “To do this, we will need more of your support in the field.
Among the traditional rulers that were honoured at the occasion include the District Head of Funtua and Sarkin Maska, Alhaji Sambo Idris Sambo and District Head of Damboa in Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Lawan Maina.
Others were the District Head of Kaltungo in Gombe state, Ephron Sokka Abubakar as well as Ward and Village Heads.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of certificates and wheelchairs to a number of cripples who were victims of poliomyelitis.
