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By Madu Obi
The District 9142 of the Rotary International has said that only sustained public enlightenment against poliomyelitis can eradicate the disease in the world.
District 9142 of Rotary International comprises of seven states in the South East and South South, namely Abịa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
District Governor of the District, Rotarian Akan Emah, who spoke during the club's seminar in Awka called on the members and Nigerians generally not to relent in the battle against, even though the African continent has already been declared polio free.
“Rotary is already recognized all over the world for her campaign against polio, and I want to urge you all to step up your game, because with you, we will have a polio free world someday,” he said.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, who graced the occasion likened Rotary membership to service to humanity and to God.
According to him, “Rotary has a lot to do in human development and capacity building. We need to buy into the opportunity. We all have something to give. It depends on mindset, interest and what you want to contribute."
“We can give, we can go beyond our comfort zones to get people to give. We can. Giving to rotary is like giving to God. No one gives to God and goes hungry. If you shovel to God, he will tipper you”.
The keynote speaker, Rotarian. Joshua Hassan who was represented by Andy Uwejeyan, said polio would become the second disease in the history to be eradicated in the world if members continue their campaign without relenting.
He said: “Vaccines work. We have eradicated 2 out of 3 strains of the wild polio virus from the world and only one is remaining. We have achieved regional eliminations too, which calls for celebrations and things of pride."
“We have vaccinated over 3 billion children worldwide, but we have more works to do to prevent it. We are not yet free until it gets to a point when Pakistan 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 polio. To achieve this, we need $4.8bn US worldwide.”
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