Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has paid glowing tributes to the late former U.S President, Jimmy Carter, for his pivotal role in eradicating Guinea worm disease in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking at the Yakubu Gowon Center in Abuja on Wednesday, the elder statesman recounted the impact of The Carter Center’s programs, which significantly contributed to eliminating the disease in the country.
General Gowon highlighted the launch of the Guinea Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) in Nigeria, spearheaded by Jimmy Carter during his visit on March 14, 1988. At the inception of the program, Guinea worm disease affected 3.5 million people across 20 countries, with 17 of those in Africa. Nigeria was the most severely impacted, recording over 650,000 cases.
According to Gowon, the intervention led to remarkable progress, reducing the number of cases to 16,000 within eight years.
However, the number stagnated for four years until Carter urged General Gowon to intensify efforts in 1998. Field visits resumed in 1999, and by 2008, cases had dropped to 38. Nigeria recorded its last case in 2009, and by December 6, 2013, the World Health Organization officially certified Nigeria as Guinea worm-free.
General Gowon also reflected on The Carter Center’s continued partnership with his foundation.
In 2010, the organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat neglected tropical diseases, which resulted in their elimination across nine states: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Edo, Nasarawa, and Plateau.
The former head of state lauded Carter’s commitment to global health and human dignity, emphasizing the enduring legacy of his humanitarian efforts in Africa.
