The Politics of Polio in Northern Nigeria

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments In researching and writing this book, I have incurred many debts over the years. Colleagues at Ahmadu Bello University and Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic—both in Zaria—have, from the beginning, been extraordinarily generous with their time and advice. They include Mairo Bugaje, Sheikh Dan Ladi, Clara Ejembi, Rabiu Mohammed Isah, Salihu Maiwada, Mairo Mandara, Musa Muhammed, S. O. Shittu, Ya’u Tanimu, Dakyes Usman, and A. M. Yakubu, as well as J. B. Familusi of the University of Ibadan, among many others who have helped me in myriad ways. I am also grateful to Osman Alhassan and Samuel Ntewusu for their kind guidance concerning my research in Yendi, Ghana, and to K. O. Antwi Agyei for information about Ghana NIDs. At the University of Michigan, I have benefited from the comments and suggestions of faculty—Stuart Batterman, Kofi Gyan, Sioban Harlan, Marcia Inhorn (now at Yale), Stuart Kirsch, Jerome Nriagu, MaxwellOwusu ,AfeworkiPaulos(nowatCarnegieMellon),andHollyPeters-Golden— and of the students who worked with me in Zaria City—Roopa Akkineni, Viola Allo Allo, and Kelly Kirby. Funds from the Department of Anthropology, from the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, and from the Advanced Study Center of the International Institute, University of Michigan, facilitated this study, as did the exceptional assistance of University of Michigan librarians who were able to locate seemingly unobtainable sources. Map librarian Karl Longstreth was particularly helpful, as was Caitlin Couture. In addition, I would like to thank colleagues and friends whom I imposed on for advice, a second reading, and solace—Laura Arntson, Chris Bankole, Sue Bergh, LaRay Denzer, Stephen Kunitz, and Murray Last, as well as the late Philip Shea, as well as Dee Mortensen, Peter Froehlich, and Brian Herrmann at Indiana University Press. The research on which this book is based would not have been possible without the patient and tolerant cooperation of many people in Zaria, Samaru, Kaduna , Kano, Likoro, and Solanke, as well as Ibadan and Lagos, in Nigeria, and in Accra, Yendi, and Tamale in Ghana, who agreed to be interviewed. Without their frank and detailed explanations, it would have been very difficult to understand, let alone explain, why the Polio Eradication Initiative met the resistance that it did. Above all, I would like to thank His Royal Highness the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris, CFR, for granting me permission to stay in Zaria City, and the former vice chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Professor A. M. Abdullahi, whose kindness over the years has reassured me in this project. Thanks also go to Alhaji Ahamed Muhammed for allowing me to stay in his house in Zaria City since 1994 and to Sani Ibrahim, Umma Yahaya, Malam Mohammed Mohammed , Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim Halidu, and Josiah Olubowale for special assistance. While I can hardly compile an exhaustive list of all those who deserve thanks, x Acknowledgments I would like to close by acknowledging the support of Malam Ya’u Tanimu and Hassana Yusuf, who have helped me since the beginning of my stay in Zaria. Together, they helped me to organize research assistance, provided excellent counsel and information, and patiently waited with me when I needed visa extensions . My visits to Hassana’s parents’ home in Kaduna were always a pleasant respite from what was, at times, a difficult research project. Hassana Yusuf continues to impress me with her willingness to pursue difficult leads and recalcitrant informants as well as to suffer through long and uncomfortable bus and taxi rides without complaint. To her I owe special thanks. Hannu daya ba ya daukan jinka The Politics of Polio in Northern Nigeria ...