Rotary International, Ilorin, Kwara State branch has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicate polio in Nigeria, just as it called for corporation and indulgence of journalists to assist the club in publishing its activities of awareness creation and prevention advocacy in order to ensure that the whole world is better place for all to live in.
Ayodimeji Olalekan Fatai, the new president of Rotary Club, Ilorin GRA, made the assertion in Ilorin while speaking with journalists on the agenda of the new executives, held at the Correspondents Chapel secretariat, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
According to Fatai, “ Rotary International is mainly a group of professionals and business men trying to see what they can do to serve humanity and contribute their quota to ensure that the human race and life are such that enjoyable and habitable for everyone”
He said “The theme for 2016 -2017 rotary year is ‘serving Humanity’ and we are focusing on polio eradication. Our line up programs to achieve our target include: community development programs, creating awareness and prevention of polio among others to ensure that we completely eliminate polio from Nigeria.
“Advocacy and awareness about eradication of polio is a collective effort. We cannot do that alone, thus, we need your support to keep people abreast of rotary community development projects and activities. We want you to continue to be partners in progress by disseminating our information to the general public so as to tackle the menace effectively” he noted
In his response, Layi Olarewaju, the Chairman Correspondents chapel assured the readiness of journalists to partner rotary in reporting its developmental projects.
Last year, the WHO announced that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria and this was the first time that Nigeria interrupted transmission of wild poliovirus, bringing Nigeria and the African region closer than ever to being certified polio-free.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), the public-private partnership leading the effort to eradicate polio, called this a ‘historic achievement’ in global health. Nigeria has not reported a case of wild poliovirus since 24 July 2014, and all laboratory data have confirmed a full 12 months have passed without any new cases.
Polio (also known as poliomyelitis) is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Children younger than 5 years old are more likely to contract the virus than any other group.
SIKIRAT SHEHU
