Stakeholders under Rotary International, Rotary District 9142 comprising seven states in southern Nigeria, have advocated for a sustained public enlightenment campaigns towards the eradication of poliomyelitis.
The stakeholders, who spoke at a Polio-plus seminar and road show held at Awka, the Anambra state capital, Monday, also opined that eradicating polio requires a collaborative efforts, including charity works, joining the rotary international, subscriptions to rotary programmes and projects.
Speaking at the event, the District Governor, Rotary District 9142 comprising Abịa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, Rotarian Akan Emah, urged Nigerians not to relent in the campaign even though Africa has been certified polio-free.
Speaking on the role of Rotary in sustaining the progress made in keeping Nigeria polio-free, Rtn. Joshua Hassan, represented by Andy Uwejeyan, averred that polio would become the second disease in the history to be eradicated in the world if they do not relent.
“We have vaccinated over 3 billion children. But we have more works to do to prevent it. We are not yet free until it gets to a point when Parkistan and Afghanistan and the entire world are certified polio free. Our goals are to permanently eradicate the wild polio virus, and to stop transmission of vaccine transmitted folio. To achieve this, we need $4.8bn US worldwide. It is required from the members and the public,” he stated.
According to him, what must be done to achieve a polio free world is early provision of vaccines, increased global awareness, increased donation and continuous advocacy with political, religious and community leaders at state and Local Government Areas, sustainable strategies, improve routine immunisation and others.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, posited that giving to rotary is like giving to God, and according to him, no one who supports the project would ever be hungry.
Earlier, Rtn. Olachi Emegoakor, the Chair, Host Organising Committee for 2023 Polioplus seminar, who commended the District for chosen Awka for the programme and participants for gracing it, noted that it would have an overwhelming impact within and outside the country.
