The Federal Government on Sunday restated its commitment toward the eradication of polio in endemic areas before the end of 2013.
Dr. Ado Mohammed, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said this in Dutse, Jigawa State when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi.
Mohammed said the government had strengthened routine immunisation and the campaign against the virus in ensuring that the disease was completely eradicated.
He said that so far only 12 local government areas in eight states were endemic with 25 cases in the last seven months, adding that 28 states were polio free.
He said: "This shows that there is 70 per cent reduction in the cases compared with the year 2012.
"Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan met with the governors of the states affected and they promised to work with us to eliminate the virus this year.
"We have started seeing manifestations of their promises and the gradual decrease of the cases is an indication that we are winning the war."
The executive director said that in the last seven months, Jigawa State did not record new cases of polio.
He urged traditional rulers not to relent in their support against other killer diseases such as measles and meningitis.
In his remarks, the Emir of Dutse said that he was not surprised at the success recorded in the state because of the commitment of government in the fight against polio.
The emir pledged to continue to work with the federal government to eradicate the disease.
Sunusi said: "I am happy that there is no case of polio in my state but if our neighbouring states are endemic we are at risk.
"We must work together for the complete eradication of the disease."
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