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As Africa Celebrates Polio-Free Status, Nigeria Says Battle Not Over

Timothy Obiezu

   ABUJA - Misbahu Lawan Didi became paralyzed in both legs after
   contracting the polio virus as a child.'¯

   As a lover of games, he was unable to enjoy his favorite sports with
   his able-bodied counterparts. In 1988, he founded para-soccer for
   disabled polio survivors to play.'¯

   Not long after, he also played a part in creating Nigeria's Polio
   Survivors' Association. The aim was to use survivors' stories to drive
   awareness and vaccinations.

   "Many people were rejecting treatment based on what they believed. Some
   believed it is Western manipulation to reduce the number of Nigerians;
   some believed in the religion of Islam that it is not accepted," Didi
   said. "Everybody had their own beliefs and the government always found
   it difficult to get to some people because they have already decided
   not to take the oral polio vaccination."'¯

   The game which Lawan started as a young man has become'¯a national
   sport with a major tournament held each October to mark World Polio
   Day.'¯

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