An oil mogul and founder, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), Emeka Offor, has hailed Africans for contributing in the fight against polio on the continent, saying the decline of polio cases in Africa was due to concerted public efforts.
Speaking during the annual dinner of Rotary District 9125 in Abuja, Offor said the dinner was an opportunity to come together to support humanity and also support the club’s end polio campaign.
On efforts to tackle polio, he insisted that all hands were on deck to combat the scourge, as Nigeria has been invited to present its final documentation to receive a wild polio-free status in June 2020.
Offor said the country’s removal from the list of polio-endemic countries is a huge step towards Africa complying with the global goal.
According to him, ‘’For both Nigeria and the continent, the country’s removal from the list of polio-endemic countries is a huge step towards ensuring that Africa complies with the global goal. We remain resolute to tackle.
‘’Polio campaign will, therefore, continue in the current tempo and intensity to ensure children and the environment are protected against poliovirus.
”Polio is very devastating. If you see what it has done to children you will be grateful to God that you never suffered it.’’
He noted that Rotary’s major priority is to ensure that all child is immunized and no child is missed.
The chief of staff, SEOF, Chris Ezike noted that polio was no longer endemic in Nigeria.
He also called on individual and relevant stakeholders, organisation and government to continue to support the fight against polio.
‘’Rotary is about humanity, Rotary is about giving, there is no end to giving because any money you give affect humanity positively.
‘’District 9125 is propelled and engineered by Rotary to support humanity, Sir Offor is not just a Rotarian but humanitarian, Rotary as an organisation seat in the United Nation as an observer, Sir Offor is a Rotary.
‘’By June there will be a certification of Nigeria by the World Health Organisation (WHO). We are looking forward to achieving this,’’ he added.
