The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been decorated as the Tuberculosis, TB Champion for the African region.
While bestowing the honour on the Governor at a Dinner on Private Sector Engagement in Domestic Resource Mobilization to End TB in Nigeria, the Executive Director, ‘’Stop TB Partnership Geneva’’, Dr Lucica Dittu, noted that Nigeria would win the war against Tuberculosis with the right political will and called for collaboration from everyone to ensure success.
Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed worry over the heavy burden of TB and promised to do more by taking the message to other Governors across the country to change the indices.
He noted that due to the severity of the disease, more funds would be allocated every year to eradicate it.
The Governor announced that Lagos is currently building a world-class Infectious Disease Institute to prepare for emerging diseases and effectively tackle existing ones
Governor Sanwo-Olu also advocated constant engagement with the private sector adding that the burden of TB is not a Lagos or Nigeria agenda but an African agenda.
In his remarks, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Country Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Peter Hawkins urged well meaning Nigerians to support government in achieving its set goals as the country would be better for it.
Reporting by Julie Ekong, editing by Daniel Adejo